Russ Cohen: Rangers Commitment To Scouting and More

once again.. why this whole "10 games" crap with Duclair.. it doesn't matter.. his contract doesn't slide.. period.. keep him up until Stepan is ready and then send him down if you feel he'd do better in the Q. No matter what though, once he's down, that's it so might as well get a few extra games out of the kid

Gordie stated it so it's more than the slide. When CBA's change, so do rules.

trade Staal for a forward? if Girardi wasn't able to go tonight we'd have Hunwick and Kostka in there.

This team doesn't need to acquire another forward, the biggest problem we have is depth on the blueline right now.

trade Staal for a forward? if Girardi wasn't able to go tonight we'd have Hunwick and Kostka in there.

This team doesn't need to acquire another forward, the biggest problem we have is depth on the blueline right now.
- jimbro83

I agree, it's a lil' risky to trade staal. Unless we get a chance to get a real star. Sather should sign Staal, and make the decisions needed when time comes.

Jim, it's one game, Girardi has stitches, not a troublesome injury. If Staal gets too much you won't be able to move him. Easier to move him now.

Jim, it's one game, Girardi has stitches, not a troublesome injury. If Staal gets too much you won't be able to move him. Easier to move him now.
- Russ_Cohen

Marc Staal plays over 20 minutes a game even when Girardi is in the lineup, is a fixure on the penalty kill, you are comfortable with giving John Moore all that time in big spots and promoting Matt Bodie?

Marc Staal plays over 20 minutes a game even when Girardi is in the lineup, is a fixure on the penalty kill, you are comfortable with giving John Moore all that time in big spots and promoting Matt Bodie?
- jimbro83

I am not.

Unless they make a separate deal, acquiring a top four defender, there is no way this team can afford to trade Staal.

Not a single defensemen, in the system, has shown they can step in here and play regular minutes on a regular basis.

Brady Skjei is coming in the next year or two based on his decision. At some point you have to decide if you want to spend the bulk of your payroll on your defense and goaltending. I think it's too much and getting a center is just as important.

Brady Skjei is coming in the next year or two based on his decision. At some point you have to decide if you want to spend the bulk of your payroll on your defense and goaltending. I think it's too much and getting a center is just as important.
- Russ_Cohen

Russ, understand the view, but disagree to a point, which is not surprising as each of us have differing views on the team we cover. Cap is likely rising, and I use word likely given the escrow points raised by Larry Brooks, so more money to spend. I realize that money has to go to Zucc, Stepan and Hagelin but you have the relative cost certainty in Hayes, dependent on if he hits the bonuses in his deal. Even if he does, it's still a decent bargain. The jury is out on John Moore, so due to that, no guarantee with Brady Skjei having the ability to step in and fill a top-four role. In addition, New York can just walk away or deal Moore if Skjei is ready. Plus, Kevin Klein could also be trade bait if need be. Staal is a top-four, d-man, who eats up 20+ minutes nightly while playing on the left side. Those aspects are a rare commodity and to expect Skjei to just slide into the role might be a bit of a stretch. I do agree a center is needed but once Stepan comes back, he and Brassard are a 1-2 or 2-3 or 1-3 depending on your preference. If Hayes can be a top-three, and that's not determined yet, adding a fourth center won't be that expensive.

I agree with keeping Staal. The Rangers have a "special" skill as a team and thats our defense depth (when fully healthy). We have 3 players in McD, G, and Staal that can all be considered top 2 on most teams, and then Boyle. Thats really 2 pairs that are top 2 ability. We can't compete with many teams in terms of Offensive power and trading staal for a top forward wont catapult us into the elite offense category either. It would make our offense better, but we already have a certain quality that is in the top elite of the league and thats our current defensive corps...again when healthy. I view it as watering down the teams power. Our offense is in the middle of the pack, but I'd rather have an overwhelming strong defense and goaltending with middle of the pack offense than have slightly better offense and middle of the pack defense. We've had a rough start in the defensive zone so the panic to make changes back there is evident. I think they will settle in and really start shutting things down after a few more games. They are too good to not fix their game. The offense is something that will come with developing players already on the cusp in our system. That can't be said about our defense prospects. Staal, G, and McD are all players that you don't always have a chance to have, draft, or develop. They play way more than any forward will ever. I say he's unexpendable to this makeup. Buchnevich, Duclair, Haggarty, Hayes, Nash, Stepan, Hagelin, Zuccarello, Kreider, Brassard. That will be a powerhouse TOP 10 Offense in 2-3 years if we keep everyone together. Can't say the same about our Defense if we lose Staal.

Brady Skjei is coming in the next year or two based on his decision. At some point you have to decide if you want to spend the bulk of your payroll on your defense and goaltending. I think it's too much and getting a center is just as important.
- Russ_Cohen

so what you are saying is that Skjei is guaranteed to be a top 4 defenseman but Hayes has no chance at all to be that center we need?

so what you are saying is that Skjei is guaranteed to be a top 4 defenseman but Hayes has no chance at all to be that center we need?
- jimbro83

Hayes is building a lot of confidence and the kid is learning at a very accelerated rate. His composure is much like Stepan was, being very young but very calm on the puck. That is helping him translate into an NHL player, he has the mind and thinking game to not panic and do something stupid. He'll make mistakes, but I have a feeling he's gonna continue to advance. He needs to be in situations to teach him what works and doesn't work on the NHL level. I remember his glaring turnover pass from our own half boards to the high slot with a lateral pass. Stuff like that he'll never make again. He'll learn that at the NHL level, players anticipate and intercept things like that way too easily. But at this point, Hayes, Stepan, Brassard, Moore makes me very comfortable. And you can interchange each of their icetimes if one of them struggles on a night.

Hayes is building a lot of confidence and the kid is learning at a very accelerated rate. His composure is much like Stepan was, being very young but very calm on the puck. That is helping him translate into an NHL player, he has the mind and thinking game to not panic and do something stupid. He'll make mistakes, but I have a feeling he's gonna continue to advance. At this point, Hayes, Stepan, Brassard, Moore makes me very comfortable. And you can interchange each of their icetimes if one of them struggles on a night.
- xcheckmajor

this team needs Marc Staal more than it does anything right about now, we are still going for a Cup this year, just because of a slow start that doesn't change that. Having Skjei come in next year doesn't help that cause

this team needs Marc Staal more than it does anything right about now, we are still going for a Cup this year, just because of a slow start that doesn't change that. Having Skjei come in next year doesn't help that cause
- jimbro83

I still think Staal has yet another level to kick into. I feel like he's still recovering from the terrible injuries he suffered. There's a level of adaptation he needs to completely overcome and seeing him play as well as he is now gives me confidence he will completely recover his game. Those injuries aren't something that you just come back from, I think it could take 2 seasons for him to fully adapt to a new physical feel to the game.

Russ, As much as I trust your judgement (you said draft Brandon Saad instead we drafted JT Miller) we cant trade Staal this year. If we trade him, we might as well pack up the year because we dont have the depth to replace him. We may lose Staal for nothing but its a risk we have to take. There is no Guarantee that Skeij will be ready next year. It even took Ryan McDonough 30 games in Hartford to be NHL ready.

Russ, understand the view, but disagree to a point, which is not surprising as each of us have differing views on the team we cover. Cap is likely rising, and I use word likely given the escrow points raised by Larry Brooks, so more money to spend. I realize that money has to go to Zucc, Stepan and Hagelin but you have the relative cost certainty in Hayes, dependent on if he hits the bonuses in his deal. Even if he does, it's still a decent bargain. The jury is out on John Moore, so due to that, no guarantee with Brady Skjei having the ability to step in and fill a top-four role. In addition, New York can just walk away or deal Moore if Skjei is ready. Plus, Kevin Klein could also be trade bait if need be. Staal is a top-four, d-man, who eats up 20+ minutes nightly and plays on the right side. Those aspects are a rare commodity and to expect Skjei to just slide into the role might be a bit of a stretch. I do agree a center is needed but once Stepan comes back, he and Brassard are a 1-2 or 2-3 or 1-3 depending on your preference. If Hayes can be a top-three, and that's not determined yet, adding a fourth center won't be that expensive.
- airjan23

Staal plays the left side but I get your point. We would have a real rough time replacing Mark Staal.

Staal plays the left side but I get your point. We would have a real rough time replacing Mark Staal.
- pfun1000

Fixed and correct, but point was top-four d-men, especially one with upside and still young, are hard to find but point taken.

Skjei at worst will be able to step into the bottom pair, which may allow you to deal Moore or Mcilrath in a decent sized deal. I like Moore but he dosen't seem to be progressing all that much, and McIlrath i dont see as a full-time nhl'er. I'd keep Klein as long as possible he a good bargain for what he is. At C i think Hayes is getting better each game but to get the most out this year i would pursue a Vermette trade using Fast or Kristo and a pick. I saw something also that they were looking at Sekera which would be an offensive boost for the back end. Both are ufas so they shouldn't cost much out of the system.

I still think Staal has yet another level to kick into. I feel like he's still recovering from the terrible injuries he suffered. There's a level of adaptation he needs to completely overcome and seeing him play as well as he is now gives me confidence he will completely recover his game. Those injuries aren't something that you just come back from, I think it could take 2 seasons for him to fully adapt to a new physical feel to the game.
- xcheckmajor

Marc Staal is a veteran of 68 playoff games now. Averaging 23:16 a game. If we traded him, we'd absolutely need to bring in someone who could account for all those minutes in big spots next spring, not John Moore, not Matt Bodie, they are no way going to fill that role.

Marc Staal is a veteran of 68 playoff games now. Averaging 23:16 a game. If we traded him, we'd absolutely need to bring in someone who could account for all those minutes in big spots next spring, not John Moore, not Matt Bodie, they are no way going to fill that role.
- jimbro83

But mcilrath had a corsi of like 65 in the 2 games he played last year. He's arguably elite.

But mcilrath had a corsi of like 65 in the 2 games he played last year. He's arguably elite.
- rangerdanger94

CORSI!

CORSI!
- jimbro83

Helluva drug

Whats the big deal here, we all know that Stralman carried Staal these past few season so why not move him now while he still has some value?

But joking aside, I agree with Russ to a point along with everyone else. Skjei will be a top 4 d-man on this team in the not too distant future, but we can't pencil him into that spot for 1.5-2 years at the earliest. He should be groomed while playing on the 3 pair with someone like Klein. So trading Staal now even for a decent forward will set us back, our success has been from having a top 5 D year after year and moving Staal would seriously set us back.

But we should be careful handing out Staal a long term deal, it would be more wise in the cap world to go with 3-4 year deal to give us some flexibility if Skjei is pushing Staal for a top 4 spot. I really don't think Staal has any more upside to his offensive game, I think he's lost it and become more cautions part to due his injuries.

I like Hayes. I just think having him be a center this year is tough when the team is bad on face-offs already. Keep him on the wing this year. Get a center who can win key face-offs. Klein can handle more. The issue is Staal will get 4 or 5 years and that deal will be 2-3 years too much. He'll play a long time but he's not the same since the injury.