The weekend that was in Rangersland. Chris Drury is either following the plan he has to remake this roster to a T, completely off his rocker or both. New York's was either underwhelming or solid or both, depending on your view. My views are below.
Pavel Buchnevich trade:
OFFICIAL: #NYR have acquired forward Sammy Blais and a second-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Pavel Buchnevich.
I have mildly - emphasis on mildly - calmed down from Friday's first blush. With that caveat, while I understand the trade, I still don't like the deal. Cognizant that the goal was to make the team tougher to play against, to find players that fit specific roles and the need to free up cap room for now and the future, I still don't like the deal, partially driven by the return for the asset surrendered, understanding that the market for RFAs is lousy. To me, don't make the deal now, and if you lose him, you lose him, but a better trade option or possibly similar could have existed at the deadline.
Sammy Blais fits a specific role. He can slot in as a third or fourth line winger, providing physical play, evidenced by his hits per minute being fourth in the league. New York was looking to get harder to play against. That was driven by the play in the bubble against Carolina, the two games against the Islanders and especially the Tom Wilson affair, which really was the tipping point, resulting in this massive upheaval that cost JD, GM Jeff Gorton and coach David Quinn their jobs plus the continued remake of the roster,
I am quite cognizant that space also needed to be created to allow Kappo Kaako and Vitali Kravtsov additional ice time and spaces in the top-six. But here is the funny part, what happens if one or both are not up to the task, then what? Where is your cushion and safety net? Why do you need to have a third line that is solely a checking line? Why not have a line that can score or one that can score and check or have a fourth line that is built to check?
In terms of Buch, you know my view of him as a player. He clearly has taken a step forward in the past year with more to go. Buchnevich was and is a fine line winger. You want to trade him for cap room and to lengthen the roster, that's understandable. But the main consternation is in the return, despite what Blais might give, especially when compared to the other deals made.
In addition, who said a deal had to be made now. You could have waited or maybe gotten Blais cheaper. No, I am not an insider and may be speaking out of turn, but my view is mirrored by others, even as Drury remakes this team.
Roles certainly are set and will be known by all. Hopefully this allows the team to be a better cohesive unit and tougher to play against. Seeing these changes are painful to an extent and may not be what I would have done, even as the team needs restructuring. Drury's cache with the fanbase has eroded to an extent but he clearly has put his stamp on this team, irrespective of how it looks optically.
Trades made:
How did Buch bring the "worst return?
Buch = a 2nd + 4th line role player in Blais
Reinhart = 1st + an goalie prospect (traded within the division) (though some say he is more consistent than Buch, I don't see it that way)
Ristolainen = a 1st, + 2nd, Plus a roster player
Larry Brooks summed up what Buchnevich had become.. The grit aspect is the component not thought of by some. He became a more physical presence which ironically is what Drury is looking for in the team. Plus, I may be biased, but my personal view on a player who I think takes another step forward might be clouding my judgment a tad.
It is fair to say that Buchnevich last season became the player the Rangers had been waiting for since he first arrived in New York in September 2016. He played with grit, was diligent without the puck, developed into a superior penalty killer and for the most part lost the not-at-all charming woe-is-me body language that had become a trademark his younger years.
While Drury might not care what the players think, the concern as to players who can go back to Russia due to moves should be a backburner thought. Reading the below from Carp this am is less than ideal. Add that into the management changes and other modifications that have happened and will happen and much of the positive vibes surrounding this team before last season has dissipated.
A source told The Athletic that Artemi Panarin and Igor Shesterkin are “livid” about the Buchnevich trade. It’s tough to imagine there aren’t at least a few other players who feel the same way.
Buyout of Tony DeAngelo:
OFFICIAL: #NYR have bought out the contract of defenseman Tony DeAngelo.
We all knew this was coming, regardless if some didn't like it. Drury was asked - see below video and quote - if he thought of changing his mind and keeping ADA. he made it fairly clear that this was not a thought process that he had. "“No, it wasn’t. I think it’s best for him and best for us. I had a good conversation with Tony yesterday morning and wished him well and we certainly wish him well with whatever comes next for him in his career.”
With the buyout, the Blueshirts save more than $3.5 million of DeAngelo’s $5.3 million salary but still carry a two-year dead cap charge for $383,000 and $833,000, respectively. But that savings this year will hopefully be plowed into improving the team, including bringing in a left-handed blueliner and additional support for the bottom six.
I know drafts can't be rated for years, yet we do it anyway. Drury can say all he wants that this is how the board fell to them, but we all know the focus - at least early - was on physical play and the team could have traded up as done in the recent past. But they grabbed players that have an edge and are known to an extent for their physical play.
They clearly liked Brennan Othmann, especially after Sebastian Cossa went after Detroit traded up to select him and the Rangers must not have felt Jesper Wallstedt, who fell, wa sthr ight option. The fact that Othmann can play wing on either side is a benefit, because if he was just a LW, you would hear me scream regardless of where you are. That said, if targeting physical play and you need a center - which we know the dearth of them in the system - and Fyotor Svehckov is there, how do you pass him up? A minimum third line center with upside as a possible one who plays a 200-foot game. He, to me, checked all the boxes. Why I also thought Chad Lucius could be the pick.
In the second, when Francesco Pinelli and Aatu Raty (who many view as a possible bust) fell, I thought Drury might trade up, especially for Pinelli. Nada. In the third, Sasha Pastujov was there. His skating needs a ton of work but the production screams take him and get him a skating coach like Othmann has. New York went for Jayden Grubbe, who has upside but who I thought could have been grabbed later. Tampa benefitted from Dylan Duke falling to 126, and while I like the Brody Lamb pick due to upside, would have very much taken Duke over Kalle Vasanen, who played with Kakko, and Talyn Boyko or traded up from 144.
Corey Pronman summary: (average at best)
New York Rangers: C
I saw a lot of fair value for the Rangers. Brennan Othmann is a good player and went around where I thought he should go. Same for Jayden Grubbe and Ryder Korczak. Some of their late round shots I appreciate but I’m not overly excited about. Their draft for me will come down to Othmann with a chance for a second player to make it.
Scott Wheeler summary (not good):
29. New York Rangers
Day 1 rank: No. 16 (overtime losers)
The Rangers didn’t pick until the third round on Day 2 and they went to the WHL well for both of their choices. I’m partial to the Ryder Korczak selection more than the Jayden Grubbe one. Korczak’s got playmaking upside. Grubbe’s known more as a universally-liked, well-rounded, north-south character guy with B-level skill.
I wouldn’t get your hopes up for any of the five kids taken after Korczak and Grubbe, though. Towering winger Kalle Vaisanen is the only of that handful that I seriously considered for my board and he probably projects as a AAAA guy at his ceiling even though he’s got decent skill for his size.
Elliotte Friedman predicts the Rangers will deal Ryan Strome to Seattle, Vegas or Ottawa. If so, who the heck is the second line center? Filip Chytil must be moved to the wing. Barclay Goodrow is the current 3c and not fit for the 2c. If Jack Eichel is not coming, what is the option? Are you dealing for Christian Dvorak, who may want but Arizona might not move? Signing David Krejci for a year? Is it Philip Danault? Evgeny Kuznetosv? Not that I don't think Strome is clearly on the block, as he is, but what's the plan if/when he goes if Eichel is not happening?
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