Why not? He's your clear cut 2nd line centre with noone really challenging him, i'd say the negotiating leverage is his. Maybe knock it down to 3 if you give him 4-5 years. But I'm thinking a 2 year, 7 mill.
- t_leafs21

While Sather pays for his UFAs, he has a well known reputation for grinding his RFAs into a pulp before they ultimately sign below market deals right before camp begins. I mean look at Del Zotto this year, he signed for $2.5 million, when P.K. is asking for double that.

Stepan's only leverage is an offer sheet.

While Sather pays for his UFAs, he has a well known reputation for grinding his RFAs into a pulp before they ultimately sign below market deals right before camp begins. I mean look at Del Zotto this year, he signed for $2.5 million, when P.K. is asking for double that.

Stepan's only leverage is an offer sheet.
- Pete V

Yeah, I think that also had to do with a player wanting to be part of a winning environment. He's just a piece of the puzzle with Staal,Girardi and McDonaugh.

I get that. I just think he's locked your 2nd line C hole for years to come and negotations may not be so easy. I can't see it going south of 2.75

And if it is around there, it'll be a bridge 2 year deal like MDZ got.

Yeah, I think that also had to do with a player wanting to be part of a winning environment. He's just a piece of the puzzle with Staal,Girardi and McDonaugh.

I get that. I just think he's locked your 2nd line C hole for years to come and negotations may not be so easy. I can't see it going south of 2.75

And if it is around there, it'll be a bridge 2 year deal like MDZ got.
- t_leafs21

Just curious, what is the word on Connolly up there? I realize that he was underwhelming last year, but really so bad to send him to the Marlies? Are they even trying to move him?

Edit: And just one more thing on Stepan, as much as I like him, I am totally sold that he is the long term answer at the second line center position. I am mostly sold, but I am not completely there yet.

Yeah, I think that also had to do with a player wanting to be part of a winning environment. He's just a piece of the puzzle with Staal,Girardi and McDonaugh.

I get that. I just think he's locked your 2nd line C hole for years to come and negotations may not be so easy. I can't see it going south of 2.75

And if it is around there, it'll be a bridge 2 year deal like MDZ got.
- t_leafs21

Players who were in Stepan's posistion after their ELC expired. Pavelski and Plekanec. Both got 1.6 million ish for their 2nd pro contracts.

Just curious, what is the word on Connolly up there? I realize that he was underwhelming last year, but really so bad to send him to the Marlies? Are they even trying to move him?
- Pete V

He was taking a spot from Nazem Kadri, who even playing 3rd line centre has been our best player through the first 4 games.

And he doesn't have enough grit to play 4th line. If we run into anymore injuries, i'm sure he'll get the call. He could get moved for a low draft pick at the deadline if anyone is that desperate

Players who were in Stepan's posistion after their ELC expired. Pavelski and Plekanec. Both got 1.6 million ish for their 2nd pro contracts.
- tomburton99

That was 5 years ago though. What was the cap then, 56?

That was 5 years ago though. What was the cap then, 56?
- t_leafs21

Look the their production. both were 60 point players when they signed those deals. Stepan has yet to go over 50.

He was taking a spot from Nazem Kadri, who even playing 3rd line centre has been our best player through the first 4 games.

And he doesn't have enough grit to play 4th line. If we run into anymore injuries, i'm sure he'll get the call. He could get moved for a low draft pick at the deadline if anyone is that desperate
- t_leafs21

In the last CBA, the Leafs would then be on the hook for 1/2 his cap hit if someone claimed him on re-entry. Don't know if that is still the rule.

If you were the GM of this team right now, what would you do?

1. Stay put and be patient?
2. Call up miller or someone else?
3. Sign or trade for a veteran forward?
4. Pray?

My choice would be a combination of 3 and 4.
- Pete V[/quote

#1 and I would hire Messier,Gretz and Gravy to teach this team how to wok the PP. Especially 5 on 3. They are B-RU-TAL!!!!!!!!

In the last CBA, the Leafs would then be on the hook for 1/2 his cap hit if someone claimed him on re-entry. Don't know if that is still the rule.
- Pete V

Re-entry waivers is no more. Now, when you bury a one-way contract in the minors, the cap doesn't come off the books. Which is why New York wanted to buy Redden out and get it over with.

Once the player has cleared waivers, he can be brought back up at anytime and be sent back down without clearing anytime within 10 games. If he breaks 10, then he'll go back on waivers.

That was 5 years ago though. What was the cap then, 56?
- t_leafs21

you haven't paid attention to how Sather treats our own young RFA's

If you were the GM of this team right now, what would you do?

1. Stay put and be patient?
2. Call up miller or someone else?
3. Sign or trade for a veteran forward?
4. Pray?

My choice would be a combination of 3 and 4.
- Pete V

A combination of 2,3 & 4, with a heavy dose of 4.

Players who were in Stepan's posistion after their ELC expired. Pavelski and Plekanec. Both got 1.6 million ish for their 2nd pro contracts.
- tomburton99

Preach, not big on Stepan myself. As talented as he is his game is too predictable for my taste.

Preach, not big on Stepan myself. As talented as he is his game is too predictable for my taste.
- MidnightMarauder

He is 22 years old, with two good years in the league (45 and 51 points, respectively). He kills penalties, can play on the powerplay, and is good defensively. I think he has already proven that he is a good NHL player, but the question of whether he'll more than that is still an open one.

Thanks for the response Pete, I do understand. And now it's all moot anyway!

I made the question list:

http://snyrangersblog.com...at-people-have-right-now/

He is 22 years old, with two good years in the league (45 and 51 points, respectively). He kills penalties, can play on the powerplay, and is good defensively. I think he has already proven that he is a good NHL player, but the question of whether he'll more than that is still an open one.
- Pete V

My post was just in terms of the cap and Stepan's next contract. I like Stepan, think he could be a good 2nd line center. But he's not worth 3 million dollars right now.

My post was just in terms of the cap and Stepan's next contract. I like Stepan, think he could be a good 2nd line center. But he's not worth 3 million dollars right now.
- tomburton99

I agree with your post. I was responding to the Marauder. I like Stepan and think he is a good pro player, and will be, a very good pro-player. Not sure how much star potential I see in him, however.

I made the question list:

http://snyrangersblog.com...at-people-have-right-now/
- jimbro83

And Laurie Carr expressed some long-term concern about player development, which could go to your earlier point about Hartford.

He is 22 years old, with two good years in the league (45 and 51 points, respectively). He kills penalties, can play on the powerplay, and is good defensively. I think he has already proven that he is a good NHL player, but the question of whether he'll more than that is still an open one.
- Pete V

He's in that Bermuda triangle of a 3rd year for a young Ranger, not too many seem to get past it, many including Dubi just keep repeating it every year there after, I hope he out produces last years point total but i'm with midnight that he's very predictable, I ranted about it last night as well.

And Laurie Carr expressed some long-term concern about player development, which could go to your earlier point about Hartford.
- Pete V

Think we all have similar concerns. Too early to panic but enough to have a sense of worry for now and as the season progresses, based upon what we have seen to date

Apologies, but work has kicked my rear today and likely not going to be able to get a blog up. Hopefully, will get one up right before the puck drops tomnorrow. Thanks to all of you for carrying the blog today.

Apologies, but work has kicked my rear today and likely not going to be able to get a blog up. Hopefully, will get one up right before the puck drops tomnorrow. Thanks to all of you for carrying the blog today.
- airjan23

Unfortunately I feel ya Jan

He's in that Bermuda triangle of a 3rd year for a young Ranger, not too many seem to get past it, many including Dubi just keep repeating it every year there after, I hope he out produces last years point total but i'm with midnight that he's very predictable, I ranted about it last night as well.
- cranford93

I think being predictable could be an easy thing to fix, maybe not this year cause the season is (frank)ed up, but over the summer and next training camp he could work on some new stuff.

I can't wait til Bickel dresses on Saturday and plays under 2 minutes again. Get Kreider back in there and move Rupp down to the 4th line please.