Jan Levine: Day 1 of free agency: no big splashes, third-pair D & bottom-six forwards Help around the edges

it's a lot to unpack and when you list all the new names, it definitely shows they have been busier than it seems

there's a lot of jam added to this lineup now, and it should open things up for smallish guys like Fox and Lundkvist to thrive

it's a lot to unpack and when you list all the new names, it definitely shows they have been busier than it seems

there's a lot of jam added to this lineup now, and it should open things up for smallish guys like Fox and Lundkvist to thrive
- jimbro83

I think its very interesting what Brooks said last night. How the Rangers were heavy in the Danualt sweeps until the price got to high. Makes me think Drury will make a center move at some point.

I think its very interesting what Brooks said last night. How the Rangers were heavy in the Danualt sweeps until the price got to high. Makes me think Drury will make a center move at some point.
- TPC

I appreciate that he's being patient and didn't go overboard on Danault

that's a weird pickup for the Kings, I would not have guessed them going after Danault

Blues did well with the Buch deal, but they've lost almost all of their LW depth, so they're listing Buch at LW instead of RW. Not sure if that's how it plays out in-season, but Rangers have a few LWs they could send over in trade.

I think its very interesting what Brooks said last night. How the Rangers were heavy in the Danualt sweeps until the price got to high. Makes me think Drury will make a center move at some point.
- TPC

Also gives me confidence Drury isn’t just making moves to make moves.

Look, we can all female dog and moan about how badly we need a new 2c, but the reality is that giving the bottom 6 an identity was more important of an upgrade. I think Drury has done a great job filling that need.

If Strome is the 2c for another year, it’s not the end of the world. We don’t need him to be a defensive C, we need him and Panarin to continue burying the puck in the back of the net.

Also gives me confidence Drury isn’t just making moves to make moves.

Look, we can all female dog and moan about how badly we need a new 2c, but the reality is that giving the bottom 6 an identity was more important of an upgrade. I think Drury has done a great job filling that need.

If Strome is the 2c for another year, it’s not the end of the world. We don’t need him to be a defensive C, we need him and Panarin to continue burying the puck in the back of the net.
- Bean_Dip

For me then it comes back to Buch. If you aren't going to upgrade at center what was the point of moving him? He would have helped the team win next year. Then he could have walked as a free agent. There has to be a correlation of needing his cap space and the dire need at center IMO

For me then it comes back to Buch. If you aren't going to upgrade at center what was the point of moving him? He would have helped the team win next year. Then he could have walked as a free agent. There has to be a correlation of needing his cap space and the dire need at center IMO
- TPC

Opening room for Kakko and Laf.

Miller's Hatty
https://twitter.com/NYRan.../1420729036263809027?s=20

Opening room for Kakko and Laf.
- Fenrir

They were both in the top 6 anyway, with or without Buch

For me then it comes back to Buch. If you aren't going to upgrade at center what was the point of moving him? He would have helped the team win next year. Then he could have walked as a free agent. There has to be a correlation of needing his cap space and the dire need at center IMO
- TPC

I really think the answer is more about the need to have Kakko and Kravs in the top 6 and a more focused role for the bottom 6 (which Buch didn’t really fit). The cap space isn’t just for this year, either. Can upgrade at C in the following years (with who is tbd).

For me then it comes back to Buch. If you aren't going to upgrade at center what was the point of moving him? He would have helped the team win next year. Then he could have walked as a free agent. There has to be a correlation of needing his cap space and the dire need at center IMO
- TPC

I think all our needs were involved in that move, TPC.
Buch got moved because, 1) we needed some grit in the bottom 6. Blais may be somewhat Blah, but he adds that and the flexibility to move him around the line up. 2) there is a correlation between adding center depth and losing Mika because we paid to keep Buch. Either way, our center depth is effected. 3) added ice time for Kakko and Kravtsov.

After Vanecek was traded back to Caps from Kraken, there's this:
https://twitter.com/Seatt.../1420520295853699075?s=20

They were both in the top 6 anyway, with or without Buch
- TPC

Meant Kravs.

After Vanecek was traded back to Caps from Kraken, there's this:
https://twitter.com/Seatt.../1420520295853699075?s=20
- dashripdot

haha, their twitter is great, that's 2nd time they did that

After Vanecek was traded back to Caps from Kraken, there's this:
https://twitter.com/Seatt.../1420520295853699075?s=20
- dashripdot

That Simpsons gif is outstanding!

I think all our needs were involved in that move, TPC.
Buch got moved because, 1) we needed some grit in the bottom 6. Blais may be somewhat Blah, but he adds that and the flexibility to move him around the line up. 2) there is a correlation between adding center depth and losing Mika because we paid to keep Buch. Either way, our center depth is effected. 3) added ice time for Kakko and Kravtsov.
- Tonybere

There was also a report last night on ESPN that the Rangers were prepared to walk away from Buch RFA number if it went to arb, which makes it seem like the return from St. Louis was irrelevant in the end. It's all strange

Larry

haha, their twitter is great, that's 2nd time they did that
- jimbro83

They should assign jersey numbers to both players and hang them in the rafters for.opening night.

There was also a report last night on ESPN that the Rangers were prepared to walk away from Buch RFA number if it went to arb, which makes it seem like the return from St. Louis was irrelevant in the end. It's all strange
- TPC

I saw that as well and would have been shocked if that was the case

I saw that as well and would have been shocked if that was the case
- airjan23

whether its true or not, it's definitely clear the Rangers wanted no part of arbitration with Buch

Good morning, gentlemen.

Any of you remember me? :-)

It's been a very long time and hope all of you are doing well.

Good morning, gentlemen.

Any of you remember me? :-)

It's been a very long time and hope all of you are doing well.
- Pete V

Clearly you haven't been here in a while.

Welcome back.

I’d hate to even bring this back up, but what if the plan for the cap space is….Barkov next year

Clearly you haven't been here in a while.

Welcome back.
- Fenrir

Hogwash, you are all gentlemen and scholars. Well, at least most of you ...