I'm thinking that's all just BS to start a bidding war. If the price was truly a late 2nd/3rd round pick he would be long out of Edmonton already. Who wouldn't take a chance on a guy in his early twenties for a 3rd rounder.
- Mr.Bobby

Yeah, I think he is available, just not at the rumored price. Would be like giving him away.

I would prefer that in a heartbeat over Stepan. I know Brassard has put up some numbers lately, but how many of them where multi point games and then he would just disappear for games on end. At least with Stepan if he isnt clicking offensively, you know damn well you are getting a great defensive player.
- mdw7413

the 1.5 mil difference in cap hits between Step and Brass is huge for the Rangers though

that's a player

Just for fun, you could fit a lineup like this under the cap or close to it:

Kreider (3.5) Stamkos (10) Nash (7.8)
Zucc (4.5) Brassard (5.0) Miller (2)
Vanek (1.5) Hayes (2) Buchnevich (.925)
Fast (.95) Helm (2) Lindberg (.625)

Extra: Glass (1.5)

McDonagh (4.7) Klein (2.9)
Staal (5.7) Dumba (3.0)
Skjei (.925) Holden (1.65)

Extra: McIlrath (1.0)

Hank (8.5)
Raanta (1.0)

Total: $71.65 million

This is obviously just spitballing.

the 1.5 mil difference in cap hits between Step and Brass is huge for the Rangers though

that's a player
- jimbro83

Yeah, especially if they want to land Stamkos. Does Stepan get a NMC soon? I thought someone on here said something like that. Probably you.

Just for fun, you could fit a lineup like this under the cap or close to it:

Kreider (3.5) Stamkos (10) Nash (7.8)
Zucc (4.5) Brassard (5.0) Miller (2)
Vanek (1.5) Hayes (2) Buchnevich (.925)
Fast (.95) Helm (2) Lindberg (.625)

Extra: Glass (1.5)

McDonagh (4.7) Klein (2.9)
Staal (5.7) Dumba (3.0)
Skjei (.925) Holden (1.65)

Extra: McIlrath (1.0)

Hank (8.5)
Raanta (1.0)

Total: $71.65 million

This is obviously just spitballing.
- Pete V

Thats with Girardi fully off the books though? Not a buyout. Like that lineup, although I would keep Zuke away from Brassard. Move him to the 1st line have him set up Nash or Stamkos for the 1 timer.

Yeah, especially if they want to land Stamkos. Does Stepan get a NMC soon? I thought someone on here said something like that. Probably you.
- mdw7413

his NMC starts July 1, 2017

I would prefer that in a heartbeat over Stepan. I know Brassard has put up some numbers lately, but how many of them where multi point games and then he would just disappear for games on end. At least with Stepan if he isnt clicking offensively, you know damn well you are getting a great defensive player.
- mdw7413

Stepan is more well rounded, without question.

I would prefer that in a heartbeat over Stepan. I know Brassard has put up some numbers lately, but how many of them where multi point games and then he would just disappear for games on end. At least with Stepan if he isnt clicking offensively, you know damn well you are getting a great defensive player.
- mdw7413

Look at what Brassard has done in the playoffs. Cannot be overstated enough with him.

Thats with Girardi fully off the books though? Not a buyout. Like that lineup, although I would keep Zuke away from Brassard. Move him to the 1st line have him set up Nash or Stamkos for the 1 timer.
- mdw7413

Yes, that would require Girardi to be fully off the books, which will require some work and maybe having to give up an another asset in deal to make it happen.

his NMC starts July 1, 2017
- jimbro83

Gees, Is that the last one? So as it stands now, Hank, Staal & Girardi have them and Stepan's will kick in on the date you said. I think they need to stop with NMC's. Or at least reserve them for very special players.

Yes, that would require Girardi to be fully off the books, which will require some work and maybe having to give up an another asset in deal to make it happen.
- Pete V

Yeah, then I think we would have to scratch one of Miller, Kreider or Hayes out of that lineup.

Yeah, then I think we would have to scratch one of Miller, Kreider or Hayes out of that lineup.
- mdw7413

I am hoping they could get it done for less than any of those guys (none of which I would be interested in trading just to get Girardi off the books).

What would you think of trying to put together a speed fourth line -- Helm, Grabner and Fast or something like that? Think this team needs to regain the speed identity.

I am hoping they could get it done for less than any of those guys (none of which I would be interested in trading just to get Girardi off the books).

What would you think of trying to put together a speed fourth line -- Helm, Grabner and Fast or something like that? Think this team needs to regain the speed identity.
- Pete V

If that is the case, they better not be moving Kreider

If that is the case, they better not be moving Kreider
- TPC

I don't think they should move him actually, unless the contract demands are just too much.

He'll come back. They need him for the 2018 World Cup.
- tomburton99

Aguero and Maschereno retired too, apparently. With Lavezzi and a few others likely to follow.

But it's due to corruption in Argenrina's FA more than anything else, allegedly.

I am hoping they could get it done for less than any of those guys (none of which I would be interested in trading just to get Girardi off the books).

What would you think of trying to put together a speed fourth line -- Helm, Grabner and Fast or something like that? Think this team needs to regain the speed identity.
- Pete V

I would definitely be all for that. Gone are the days of 3 lines that can play and a 4th to just be bruisers. I would still want the 4th to be physical, not in the conventional way, but like a Fast. Guy is always around the puck and making contact with opposing players.

I am hoping they could get it done for less than any of those guys (none of which I would be interested in trading just to get Girardi off the books).

What would you think of trying to put together a speed fourth line -- Helm, Grabner and Fast or something like that? Think this team needs to regain the speed identity.
- Pete V

To regain that identity, we'll need to add speed to the top 6 and defense too.

Boedkker is a really appealing name to me for the top 6. Extremely fast and skilled with nice offensive upside. It's a shame he'll be priced out of us though.

To regain that identity, we'll need to add speed to the top 6 and defense too.

Boedkker is a really appealing name to me for the top 6. Extremely fast and skilled with nice offensive upside. It's a shame he'll be priced out of us though.
- rangerdanger94

Kind of funny when there wasn't a cap, teams were playing a 4th line of scrubs and now in the cap era, you really need a team with 4 decent lines. Definitely makes asset management and other moves a lot more difficult for a GM in the new NHL.

To regain that identity, we'll need to add speed to the top 6 and defense too.

Boedkker is a really appealing name to me for the top 6. Extremely fast and skilled with nice offensive upside. It's a shame he'll be priced out of us though.
- rangerdanger94

True, but if you have Stamkos, Nash, Kreider, Miller, Brassard and Zucc in the top 6, that is nice speed.

True, but if you have Stamkos, Nash, Kreider, Miller, Brassard and Zucc in the top 6, that is nice speed.
- Pete V

Agreed. Hopefully we get Stammer

I maintain that MSL will convince Stamkos to sign with us.

@NYRangers 48s48 seconds ago
Buch is in the building! #NYRPDC

True, but if you have Stamkos, Nash, Kreider, Miller, Brassard and Zucc in the top 6, that is nice speed.
- Pete V

Would you guys really want to give up Stepan at a great cap hit until he is 31 to add Stamkos at 11 millionish until he is 34 or so?

Would you guys really want to give up Stepan at a great cap hit until he is 31 to add Stamkos at 11 millionish until he is 34 or so?
- Mr.Bobby

it's adding assets in a deal for Stepan and then adding Stamkos for free

Would you guys really want to give up Stepan at a great cap hit until he is 31 to add Stamkos at 11 millionish until he is 34 or so?
- Mr.Bobby

I'd rather trade Nash. Buyout Girardi and move Hayes to the wing. But what do I know. I'm just the America Hater.

I'd rather trade Nash. Buyout Girardi and move Hayes to the wing. But what do I know. I'm just the America Hater.
- tomburton99

Damn straight