Jan Levine: The Rangers weekend that was: the good, the bad and maybe the ugly It is likely an all of the above...

I am going to wait till after the first rush of free agency to pass before I judge too harshly but yea there has to be some sort of plan, one that Brings in a center. Otherwise just don’t see the need to rush to move Buch’s potentially salary off the books.

Zib, Strome and Chytill are all highly skilled players but all 3 are soft as charmin and don’t bring any of that North and south game Drury wants. You can’t have all 3 going into next season down the middle. I think the Eichel train has passed so curious who Drury targets

I agree and think they target one more bottom 6 forward in free agency. Nice to see we are developing some lines with roles. Just curious where this leaves players like Chytill and Gauthier going into next year

Man every year it seems we have some guys on the wings who we want more from. Then we say let the kids play. When the kids figure it out and get older (Buch) then it's like peace out. Would have liked to have gotten a little more for him for sure given the other trades you mentioned Jan.

Kakko, Laf, Kravtsov it's your time to shine -- will you? Probably not. There will probably be continued growing pains. We'll see Panarin and Zib and Kreider lead the offense in scoring again. Hope i'm wrong, just looking for those big name draft picks to finally come thru and be the players we've seen flourish on other teams.

I know there's still a ways to go. Curious to see what this team is on opening night.

We didn't like Kakko and Kravtsov on the 3rd and 4th lines, Now they are the top 2 RWs. With the very different style of play Gallant will bring, they should both flourish. There has to be a plan to bring in a center, we will have to wait and see

“In the second, when Francesco Pinelli and Aatu Raty (who many view as a possible bust) fell, I thought Gorton might trade up, especially for Pinelli.”

We could only wish we still had Gorton……

Be careful Jan, when I brought up trading up into the 2nd round I got it pretty good in here. Forget that multiple other teams did just that, it’s impossible we could’ve done that.

“In the second, when Francesco Pinelli and Aatu Raty (who many view as a possible bust) fell, I thought Gorton might trade up, especially for Pinelli.”

We could only wish we still had Gorton……
- nyrangers9479

I messaged Jan earlier for him to correct his "wish" in that typo error he made due to his overtime overwork, by replacing the name he listed there in "Gorton" with "Drury."

Too bad it was a typo error as opposed to the actual as far as the Rangers go.
If Gorton were still here, Buch then would certainly still be here as well, had the Blues offer been the best one out there to acquire him, which Drury somehow accepted.

I messaged Jan earlier for him to correct that typo error he made due to his overtime overwork, by replacing the name he listed there in "Gorton" with "Drury."

Too bad he can't do it for real in actuality as far as the Rangers go!
Buch would certainly still be here had the Blues offer been the best one out there to acquire him.
- RangerSaver

If the Blues offer really was the best I don’t see the rush to get it done. It’s a crap return, if they wanted Blais so bad trade him for a guy like Gauthier 1 for 1. He’s a 4th liner that was in his coaches dog house, u can’t tell me his trade value was through the roof.

If the Blues offer really was the best I don’t see the rush to get it done. It’s a crap return, if they wanted Blais so bad trade him for a guy like Gauthier 1 for 1. He’s a 4th liner that was in his coaches dog house, u can’t tell me his trade value was through the roof.
- nyrangers9479

I didn't say that about the trade value of Blais. He had zero trade value, as per my initial made comments on the prior blog this weekend, when discovering he had been in his former coach, Craig Berube's doghouse due to conditioning issues & subpar play. Word in St. Louis had the Blues ready to "dispose of" him, which I feel simply meant they may had released him if not able to trade him for a single asset.

I mentioned my disgust with how Drury was the victim of a Blues heist through this trade of Buch to them. It has the makings of that mid-1970's trade disaster of a young & already blossoming NHL star for 2 years as a Ranger in (RW) Rick Middleton (124 Rangers/NHL games, 46-G & 44-A), in exchange for an aged (RW) Ken Hodge (Sr.), (96 NYR games in 2 years, 23-G & 45-A). The trade made all to satisfy (C) Phil Esposito's need to get him his longtime past RW from the Bruins; while Middleton played a lengthy productive career with Boston & became a Hall of Famer.

This is the first 3 miles of a long marathon. We didn't sprint to the front right away, but there are many miles left in this race. Lets give Drury a little time before we call for his head.

The Buch trade:
As previously stated, I am underwhelmed by the return we received. I would have felt much better with a first round pick instead of the 2nd that we got. However don't underestimate the value of clearing the cap space that Buch would have taken. We still don't know what his contract demands were, that certainly could have impacted the return.

The draft:
Other than our first round pick, I don't know enough about the kids we drafted to have an opinion. Lets wait 2-3 years and see what we got --- you never know!
As far as trading up into the second round, that is just pure speculation. It takes 2 to tango and we don't know if there were any realistic options to move up. Not having our own second rounder this year was problematic too.

Remember when Gorton traded up to draft Schneider? Several teams turned down the Rangers offer before Calgary finally accepted. Perhaps many teams turned down Drury's offer?

Future trades:
So little movement across the NHL as a whole so far. Teams like Tampa and Seattle still have SEVERAL players to move. I still don't think Eichel moves out of Buffalo, but there will be other centers on the move. Free agency starts in a few days and as players get signed, I think we will see a few more trades. As I stated earlier lets give Drury some time...

This is the first 3 miles of a long marathon. We didn't sprint to the front right away, but there are many miles left in this race. Lets give Drury a little time before we call for his head.

The Buch trade:
As previously stated, I am underwhelmed by the return we received. I would have felt much better with a first round pick instead of the 2nd that we got. However don't underestimate the value of clearing the cap space that Buch would have taken. We still don't know what his contract demands were, that certainly could have impacted the return.

The draft:
Other than our first round pick, I don't know enough about the kids we drafted to have an opinion. Lets wait 2-3 years and see what we got --- you never know!
As far as trading up into the second round, that is just pure speculation. It takes 2 to tango and we don't know if there were any realistic options to move up. Not having our own second rounder this year was problematic too.

Remember when Gorton traded up to draft Schneider? Several teams turned down the Rangers offer before Calgary finally accepted. Perhaps many teams turned down Drury's offer?

Future trades:
So little movement across the NHL as a whole so far. Teams like Tampa and Seattle still have SEVERAL players to move. I still don't think Eichel moves out of Buffalo, but there will be other centers on the move. Free agency starts in a few days and as players get signed, I think we will see a few more trades. As I stated earlier lets give Drury some time...
- TommyGTrain

Good Morning Tom:
I mentioned your boldened here words on the prior blog a couple of times, as per being in agreement with you. I think one time when posting my comparison of this Buch trade, to the closest of similar recent ones in Gorton's trade of Kevin Hayes (on NHL Trade Deadline Day in 2019), who also like Buch, was age 26 coming off a top year in his prime, but instead a center who also played wing earlier. You replied to me then the trades weren't comparable, due to the Jets trading for Hayes as a rental in going for a Cup win.

I then replied back, stating I noted that fact in effect there, since I mentioned not only the 1st Rounder & 22 year old tough winger Brendan Lemieux that came in return for Hayes, but also a Cond. 4th Rounder in 2022 had the Jets won the Cup in 2019. I also noted that Drury, (as many here had wanted, except Jan & I, if not for a top Center), was SELLING WHILE BUCH'S PRICE WAS HIGH. That alone also boosted his value, making him equal to what Hayes was back then in value for the Jets.

First, both GM's received tough forwards; Lemieux likely higher in rank back then vs. Blais today. But as second pieces, Gorton received a current 2019 1st Round Pick for Hayes; compared to Drury receiving just a 2nd Rounder in the following year's draft.

Considering what Buchnevich got in trade I can’t imagine the Strome trade value is very high.

2nd round picks seem to be the going rate

If they are able to clear Strome’s 4.5 mil and not retain or bring back another contract they have to have something planned for Wednesday.

Landeskog, Danault, Coleman. Maybe another trade with Tampa?

Something’s cooking. It’s gotta be.

Considering what Buchnevich got in trade I can’t imagine the Strome trade value is very high.

2nd round picks seem to be the going rate

If they are able to clear Strome’s 4.5 mil and not retain or bring back another contract they have to have something planned for Wednesday.

Landeskog, Danault, Coleman. Maybe another trade with Tampa?

Something’s cooking. It’s gotta be.
- jimbro83

Good Morning Jimbro.
I mentioned Landeskog on the prior blog as the better option to sign if reaching free agency, than trading for the uncertainty with Eichel. Luckily Montreal is now in the hunt for Eichel. But I'm not certain if it is due to "knowing" they can't come to terms with Danault. I believe at some point prior to the Finals, there was word up there of Danault refusing then, a (+/-) 6 year deal at a min. (+/-) $5M to $6M AAV.

However, I don't think they should trade Strome, unless he brings in return an equal productive like center one for one; or a top center in some multi asset package deal. In addition, other GM's would likely increase their return demands (pending the center), if Strome already had been dealt, in knowing then the Rangers would be in greater desperate need of acquiring one. But that changes after free agency if they sign Landeskog to play center, or deal for another center in possibly Dvorak. Then Strome's cap hit can be dealt for any purpose; either a center, or whatever else of value in either position, picks, or prospect wise.

Good Morning Jimbro.
I mentioned Landeskog on the prior blog as the better option to sign if reaching free agency, than trading for the uncertainty with Eichel. Luckily Montreal is now in the hunt for Eichel. But I'm not certain if it is due to "knowing" they can't come to terms with Danault. I believe at some point prior to the Finals, there was word up there of Danault refusing then, a (+/-) 6 year deal at a min. (+/-) $5M to $6M AAV.

However, I don't think they should trade Strome, unless he brings in return an equal productive like center one for one; or a top center in some multi asset package deal. In addition, other GM's would likely increase their return demands (pending the center), if Strome already had been dealt, in knowing then the Rangers would be in greater desperate need of acquiring one. But that changes after free agency if they sign Landeskog to play center, or deal for another center in possibly Dvorak. Then Strome's cap hit can be dealt for any purpose; either a center, or whatever else of value in either position, picks, or prospect wise.
- RangerSaver

Strome is gone I believe

I don’t think he’s a Drury/Gallant type of player

We shall see what happens though, I’ve expected him to be traded about 30 times by now

Vince from Lohud lays the cap situation out pretty well. Personally I find the bonus situation with guys like Laf, Fox, Kakko, Miller, Lundkvist to be very confusing, but what I do know is that none of these guys are actually 925K a year, it's more like 3 mil a year if they do well.

So if you think ahead and just plan that they will all meet expectations, and after what is expected they will pay Shesty and Chytil, they actually have about 10 mil in space for 2021-22

and if they do dump Strome without any money coming back, close to 15 mil in space.

I really like the Othmann pick, like a lot of players, his season was derailed by Covid and the OHL cancellation of the season

his season in Europe was mixed, but if it was normal, the fact that he scored 17 goals as a 16 year old in 2019-20 speaks a lot to his talent

OHL has a normal season, he's gonna shoot up in goals, guarantee it

Does college hockey keep face off stats? How was Barron at draws? I don’t think the AHL keeps that stat
- nyrangers9479

I asked this question a while back and if Im not mistaken he was in the mid to high 50%.

I want to see what his numbers were in the AHL.

“In the second, when Francesco Pinelli and Aatu Raty (who many view as a possible bust) fell, I thought Gorton might trade up, especially for Pinelli.”

We could only wish we still had Gorton……
- nyrangers9479

Fixed, thx

Fixed, thx
- airjan23

it's pretty obvious what they are doing

they've gone from a team who used to almost exclusively take European players to an organization that loves the WHL and OHL, its obvious and its a few years in the making

it's obvious, I don't even think they remotely considered trading up for Raty

Considering what Buchnevich got in trade I can’t imagine the Strome trade value is very high.

2nd round picks seem to be the going rate

If they are able to clear Strome’s 4.5 mil and not retain or bring back another contract they have to have something planned for Wednesday.

Landeskog, Danault, Coleman. Maybe another trade with Tampa?

Something’s cooking. It’s gotta be.
- jimbro83

It’s Coleman, I am almost willing to bet money on it at this point

The Buchnevich trade was so bad but not having to hear Sam Rosen say his last name anymore is the only win here

I really like the Othmann pick, like a lot of players, his season was derailed by Covid and the OHL cancellation of the season

his season in Europe was mixed, but if it was normal, the fact that he scored 17 goals as a 16 year old in 2019-20 speaks a lot to his talent

OHL has a normal season, he's gonna shoot up in goals, guarantee it
- jimbro83

Definitely a sniper compared to what we have now

It’s Coleman, I am almost willing to bet money on it at this point
- TPC

I absolutely wouldn't count it out, extremely possible

I was sure Rangers would grab Sasha before he fell to us in the 3rd - thankfully you guys didn’t -

Just an observation & would like to see if Ranger fans feel the same - but JD seems to be missed already.. no ?? Or perhaps he & Jarmo are the perfect fit… because Cbus just killed it this past wknd.

I was really hoping Murray tried to trade for Buch…

I was sure Rangers would grab Sasha before he fell to us in the 3rd - thankfully you guys didn’t -

Just an observation & would like to see if Ranger fans feel the same - but JD seems to be missed already.. no ?? Or perhaps he & Jarmo are the perfect fit… because Cbus just killed it this past wknd.

I was really hoping Murray tried to trade for Buch…
- dozerD10

Has nothing to do with JD. Rangers for a rid of a lot of their scouts who favor European prospects. New regime is more focused on North American players now

Has nothing to do with JD. Rangers for a rid of a lot of their scouts who favor European prospects. New regime is more focused on North American players now
- nyrangers2

and that definitely began under JD for sure