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Rangers' top offseason questions - my initial list, looking for your views |
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Top offseason questions:
In almost every year past, we have done some version of the top 20 or so off-season questions. To state the obvious and what is likely the viewpoint of many, we usually have entered the early part of the spring and summer with more questions than answers. This year is clearly no different, though in this case again, a good portion of the offseason questions have already been answered.
With the slight delay in posting these queries, I took some poetic license and included the questions we likely had when the season ended, even if they have already been answered. As I figure out my path forward, I still wanted to get this up to provide some areas to cover if all remains as in the past. Like I have done in year's past, I throw this one to you, asking for you to provide your questions, which I will incorporate in the blogs to carry us through the summer.
I remind you again, we will go one by one during the summer and please don't answer all the questions at once. In this blog, though, please let me know if you would add or re-word any of the questions. Let me know your thoughts.
1) Should the Rangers waive, buy out or trade Barclay Goodrow?
2) Is Jacob Trouba in the team's plans for the 2024-25 season?
3) Which of the team's free agents - if any - would you bring back?
4) Is Patrick Kane 2.0 a viable option?5) Who should New York add as a free agent, both up front and on the back end?
6) What are the optimal defensive pairs?
7) Have the Glimmer Twins' postseason struggles soured you on their status on the team?
8) Are you comfortable with Filip Chytil playing a key role? Is he a center or a winger? if a center, should he center the third line?
9) Has Artemi Panarin's late playoff struggles brought back bad memories of his 2022 and 2023 struggles or did his dominant regular season provide enough air cover?
10) Should the Rangers extend Alexis Lafreniere long term now, and if so, for how long and what kind of salary?
11) Are you comfortable with Zac Jones as the sixth d-man or should New York add a veteran blueliner?
12) Where are you penciling Will Cuylle in the lineup? Is he the third line right winger?
13) Will Brennan Othmann be given a REAL chance to make the squad this summer or will the Rangers opt to not rush the youngster?
14) Are the Rangers built to compete for the Stanley Cup or did last year's struggles against the Panthers and late versus the Canes sour you on their hopes? What about compared to Florida?
15) What is the biggest weakness on this team that needs to be fixed for them to be a true Cup contender? 5x5 scoring? The inability to break cleanly out of their zone? Defensive lapses?
16) How do you want the third and/or fourth lines to look? Do they need to be a traditional bottom-six or should the third line be more of a scoring line?16) Who would you have targeted in free agency given the minimal cap space available?
17) Is K'Andre Miller, in the final season of his two-year deal, worth a long-term contract? Would you sign him to an extension in January with the cap rising?
18) Is Ryan Lindgren, Dan Girardi 2.0? Is that comparison and concern over how the Warrior's body will break down limiting your contract offer to him? Does he need to be moved?
19) Are you giving Braden Schneider a 2-3 bridge deal worth $2.5-3 mil or going long term?
20) Does Kaapo Kakko have a future with this team given his lack of development to date? Will he last the year, and even if so, will he stay beyond that as a Ranger?
21) The key question may surround Igor Shesterkin’s next deal. How large of a % of the cap is too much before you walk away?
22) Given how Goodrow was waived and the Trouba situation is playing out, are the Rangers still viewed as a destination location by free agents?
23) Based on question 21, how the trade deadline played out and free agency has gone this season, is Chris Drury on the hot seat at all? Is that view only by the fanbase?
More to come
Please provide the questions you might have and want me to cover.
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