Jan Levine: In Gorton we trust, or so we hope Rating GM Jeff Gorton's performance the past few seasons...

I wanted Lemiuex for a while and glad we got him. Looks like the Rangers think highly of him.

“I would think we’re going to give him a pretty big opportunity here,” Gorton said, “with some ice time and playing up in the lineup and see what he can do for us right away.”

I love that in and out player chart. A couple things about next year. Per Cap Friendly... a Smith Buyout only costs 970k against the Cap next season so I think his buyout is a no-brainer to make room for Lindgren or Hajek. Smiths buyout jumps up to 3 million the season after that but Girardi’s drops from 3.1 to 1.1 mill that year so we only added an extra million of dead cap Space (about 4.3 million total) on what we had with Girardi anyway.

I think next season the Rangers bring back Zucc and start their Russian invasion with adding Breadman, Shesty, and Kravts to go along with Chytil and Namestnikov

Here’s my Cap friendly breakdown. I have Strome being traded to Ottawa to help them hit the Cap Floor... https://www.capfriendly.c.../armchair-gm/team/1061367

Only in year 2 of the rebuild, no sense to rush things yet. Play it right at the draft and during free agency. Possibly a return to playoffs next season.

Jan ---

Nice title for your blog!

I like what Gorton is doing, I give him a solid B+ for the deadline this year. He did not fleece anyone, but did well and showed creativity in his moves. The organization has a clear direction and I agree with you that the blueline is where we must upgrade approaching next season. Hopefully, a couple of these youngsters will grow and improve their games.

Really like the In/Out chart too. Looking objectively at the "out" side, there are only a couple of players that were hard to see leaving. For all of us that pine away for Zuke or Hayes going, what if that $6 mill each we would be theoretically paying them prevented us from getting Panarin? Or another high end player?
It is easier said than done, but we really need to let another year play out before we reach any judgements. Another draft, another free agency period will really bring into focus our future...

@Fenrir
Zuke gonna have surgery today - looks like 4 weeks out are max

Sean Shapiro@seanshapiro
The hope is that surgery will speed up healing process. It was a clean break, so surgery will help line things up and keep it together.
-------

- Zuke's 124 goals
- 25 shootout goals
- His greatest assists

I have mostly been in the trade all the veterans camp, but I do advocate Kreider getting extension until he is 35

7 year 45 mil extension, something like that

the league is getting faster and he is still among it's fastest and I do believe he's the next captain

I can go either way on that. I think Kreider will be a good player for at least most of that contract. However, it’s a legitimate possibility if we do this right, he’s a third liner in 3-4 years. So it depends if you are ok giving that kind of money to that spot even if he’d be an absolute nightmare for other teams

I can go either way on that. I think Kreider will be a good player for at least most of that contract. However, it’s a legitimate possibility if we do this right, he’s a third liner in 3-4 years. So it depends if you are ok giving that kind of money to that spot even if he’d be an absolute nightmare for other teams
- 2sticks1puck

I really do believe that things are shaping up where it's going to be Kreider's team

unless negotiations fall apart, by the draft they should know where they stand with Kreider on an extension

Jan, just for accuracy, last year the 2nd rounder the Rangers used to trade up to grab K'Andre Miller was the 2nd rounder they got from the Devils in the Grabner deal

they used their own 2nd rounder to draft Olof Lindbom

I really do believe that things are shaping up where it's going to be Kreider's team

unless negotiations fall apart, by the draft they should know where they stand with Kreider on an extension
- jimbro83

I can see Kreider or Zib as the 'C' if an extension doesn't work out. Our farm system is going to be very competitive this summer!

Agreed, Gorton has infused some talent into the system and started the rebuilf at a time it was needed. Although I love Zucc, I dont think he would have been able to get us over the hump in the 3rd or 4th years when we will be hopefully contending again. Hayes money could be better spent elsewhere. CK 20 should be inked long term and made Captain. The next biggest hurdle is getting rid of Staal. Shatty needs to be traded, he was brought here to help us win a cup, but unfortunately it didnt work out and again falling into the Zucc category of not going to be able to help in the 3rd and 4th years.

Jan, just for accuracy, last year the 2nd rounder the Rangers used to trade up to grab K'Andre Miller was the 2nd rounder they got from the Devils in the Grabner deal

they used their own 2nd rounder to draft Olof Lindbom
- jimbro83

Thanks, will fix. Apologies

I have mostly been in the trade all the veterans camp, but I do advocate Kreider getting extension until he is 35

7 year 45 mil extension, something like that

the league is getting faster and he is still among it's fastest and I do believe he's the next captain
- jimbro83

I can see Kreider or Zib as the 'C' if an extension doesn't work out. Our farm system is going to be very competitive this summer!
- disorca

That's probably true in reality. What I'd really like to happen is Lias takes a step forward and he develops into the captain. I love his fire. If he can keep putting things together, ADA would make an interesting captain as well. As much as I like Zib and Kreider, I want out captain to come out of our youth group.

That's probably true in reality. What I'd really like to happen is Lias takes a step forward and he develops into the captain. I love his fire. If he can keep putting things together, ADA would make an interesting captain as well. As much as I like Zib and Kreider, I want out captain to come out of our youth group.
- 2sticks1puck

At this point I just hope Lias can hold a roster spot. I think we are light years away from captain

At this point I just hope Lias can hold a roster spot. I think we are light years away from captain
- TPC

We all agree he needs to improve. This is also where I remind everyone that he is still really young and the mighty Middlestat has 8 goals in about 60 games this year. There's still plenty of time for Lias to be the right pick.

Jan Levine: In Gorton we trust, or so we hope
Rating GM Jeff Gorton's performance the past few seasons...
- airjan23

That tweet by HockeyStatMiner is why I wanted the Rangers to take back on bad contract for assets. Expansion and the eventual lockout would make it so much easy to absorb that type of contract. Missed opportunity.

I have mostly been in the trade all the veterans camp, but I do advocate Kreider getting extension until he is 35

7 year 45 mil extension, something like that

the league is getting faster and he is still among it's fastest and I do believe he's the next captain
- jimbro83

That would be my first option. But if they don't extend him by the All Star break next year, he's gotta go.

That would be my first option. But if they don't extend him by the All Star break next year, he's gotta go.
- tomburton99

oh man Tom to

That would be my first option. But if they don't extend him by the All Star break next year, he's gotta go.
- tomburton99

Also you may need to change the Avatar now

Also you may need to change the Avatar now
- TPC

I know. I'll work on that later.

I know. I'll work on that later.
- tomburton99

Can I make you one?

oh man Tom to
- TPC

Keep it in your pants.

I hope he gets traded

Keep it in your pants.

I hope he gets traded
- mdw7413