Who would you rather have here for at least the next two seasons?
(1) Shatty and Smith on the back line each playing out the final two years remaining on their contracts?
(2) Or, (assuming they sign their RFA forwards in Buchnevich and Lemieux, plus their RFA d'men in Trouba and Deangelo), you prefer instead of Shatty and Smith, having two younger d'men among four of key in Hajek, Lindgren, Rykov, or Reunanen, to join Staal, Skjei, and Fox on the roster, along possibly with some free agent forward named Panarin?

If option #1, you prefer two 30 year old d'men, instead of maintaining the rebuild with their youth gaining necessary back line experience.
If option #2, you prefer a younger back line gaining experience, along with signing a top tier forward who could also have this team contend immediately for a postseason spot. However, you also support the fact that as of this minute, Panarin's excessive rumored cost is not possible to fit in their cap, without Gorton buying out Shatty and also possibly Smith this Summer. That's unless he's finally able to trade two forwards in Vesey's and Namestnikov's combined $6,275,000 cap hit in exchange for only draft picks, along with making some additional roster tinkering.

I would not go overboard to meet Panarin's demands, even if the rival Isles are the favorite to land him. Allow them to do so, in having after this season, both Barzal and Pulock being pending free agents needing large raises. If allowing Anders Lee to walk away free, they would be paying Panarin an additional $5M to $7M for his additional expected 30 to 40 points contributed, while possibly losing goaltender Robin Lehner, and replacing him with Varlamov. Should the Isles not have the magical goal tending and defense they possessed of last season, their potential signing of Panarin may not lead to any further advancement, but instead to some cap troubles for them in the end.

He will get 8+, he’s a good 2C but I’d rather wait and see what we have in Chytil Andersson Howden and Barron.
- nyrangers9479

I think Chytil is a better wing and nothing I've seen out of Lias or Howden suggest they could be 2C anytime soon. Barron is a great story, but his ceiling is probably bottom 6.

Saver, not following you on that post buddy. Are you saying would you rather let Shattenkirk and Smith play OR buy them out and let younger guys play?

I think Chytil is a better wing and nothing I've seen out of Lias or Howden suggest they could be 2C anytime soon. Barron is a great story, but his ceiling is probably bottom 6.
- 2sticks1puck

Andersson hasn’t even played 50 NHL games yet, we have no idea what we have in the kid. One thing I would put money on is he busted his ass to get better, the kid is a competitor and doesn’t accept failure, I bet we see a different Lias this year.
What’s a good 2C? 50-55 points? If so, are we saying Andersson and Howden can’t get to that mark?

Who would you rather have here for at least the next two seasons?
(1) Shatty and Smith on the back line each playing out the final two years remaining on their contracts?
(2) Or, (assuming they sign their RFA forwards in Buchnevich and Lemieux, plus their RFA d'men in Trouba and Deangelo), you prefer instead of Shatty and Smith, having two younger d'men among four of key in Hajek, Lindgren, Rykov, or Reunanen, to join Staal, Skjei, and Fox on the roster, along possibly with some free agent forward named Panarin?

If option #1, you prefer two 30 year old d'men, instead of maintaining the rebuild with their youth gaining necessary back line experience.
If option #2, you prefer a younger back line gaining experience, along with signing a top tier forward who could also have this team contend immediately for a postseason spot. However, you also support the fact that as of this minute, Panarin's excessive rumored cost is not possible to fit in their cap, without Gorton buying out Shatty and also possibly Smith this Summer. That's unless he's finally able to trade two forwards in Vesey's and Namestnikov's combined $6,275,000 cap hit in exchange for only draft picks, along with making some additional roster tinkering.

I would not go overboard to meet Panarin's demands, even if the rival Isles are the favorite to land him. Allow them to do so, in having after this season, both Barzal and Pulock being pending free agents needing large raises. If allowing Anders Lee to walk away free, they would be paying Panarin an additional $5M to $7M for his additional expected 30 to 40 points contributed, while possibly losing goaltender Robin Lehner, and replacing him with Varlamov. Should the Isles not have the magical goal tending and defense they possessed of last season, their potential signing of Panarin may not lead to any further advancement, but instead to some cap troubles for them in the end.
- RangerSaver

I think Shatty should be on the team regardless of whether we get Panarin or not. I've never been his biggest fan, but he was pretty good from January on. Maybe he's just finally healthy. I know we have Trouba now and ADA was really good, but you have to have some good veteran D on your blueline. This isn't NHL 20, all your young guys don't magically turn into 90 overalls.

Andersson hasn’t even played 50 NHL games yet, we have no idea what we have in the kid. One thing I would put money on is he busted his ass to get better, the kid is a competitor and doesn’t accept failure, I bet we see a different Lias this year.
What’s a good 2C? 50-55 points? If so, are we saying Andersson and Howden can’t get to that mark?
- nyrangers9479

It's not impossible that they break out, but a lot of guys who break out young already show flashes of that way before they hit that mark. Stepan for example, was almost the clip practically right out of the gate. Howden by metrics was one of the worst forwards in the entire league last year. Yeah its possible he breaks out, but more likely that he will need multiple seasons to reach his potential. I'd just rather get a reliable 2C and deal with any problems of having too many good centers when it arises.

It's not impossible that they break out, but a lot of guys who break out young already show flashes of that way before they hit that mark. Stepan for example, was almost the clip practically right out of the gate. Howden by metrics was one of the worst forwards in the entire league last year. Yeah its possible he breaks out, but more likely that he will need multiple seasons to reach his potential. I'd just rather get a reliable 2C and deal with any problems of having too many good centers when it arises.
- 2sticks1puck

Why though? Even if it takes them a year or 2, are we competing for a cup this year? Probably not. Trust me, I’m on board for trades, love trades, talk about trades all the time, trade proposals, trade ideas, trades trades trades, but for once I think we’ve done enough and don’t need to make a big trade just yet. I think we addressed our biggest weakness in our D, took a legit shot at Panarin and continued to stock the prospects. I think now it’s time to just give it some time and see what we have.

Why though? Even if it takes them a year or 2, are we competing for a cup this year? Probably not. Trust me, I’m on board for trades, love trades, talk about trades all the time, trade proposals, trade ideas, trades trades trades, but for once I think we’ve done enough and don’t need to make a big trade just yet. I think we addressed our biggest weakness in our D, took a legit shot at Panarin and continued to stock the prospects. I think now it’s time to just give it some time and see what we have.
- nyrangers9479

If they miss out on Panarin, and they actually do feel comfortable with what they have, then they may as well offer sheet someone

90% chance no matter who they offer sheet will get matched anyway, so take a shot

if it gets matched, they are comfortable with team as is anyway

Why though? Even if it takes them a year or 2, are we competing for a cup this year? Probably not. Trust me, I’m on board for trades, love trades, talk about trades all the time, trade proposals, trade ideas, trades trades trades, but for once I think we’ve done enough and don’t need to make a big trade just yet. I think we addressed our biggest weakness in our D, took a legit shot at Panarin and continued to stock the prospects. I think now it’s time to just give it some time and see what we have.
- nyrangers9479

There's too teams in our division, the Flyers and Devils who took that same approach. In today's NHL it doesn't work. The Devils started to turn the corner when they got Taylor Hall. Although they did get JVR, the Flyers didn't and their whole coaching staff and front office got fired after another disappointing season.

You always have to continuously improve in this league. Tampa and Toronto both had way better prospects than us, but still was aggressive in acquiring talent. That's the model I want to follow. You can't make moves for the sake of making moves, but you should always try to keep improving.

There's too teams in our division, the Flyers and Devils who took that same approach. In today's NHL it doesn't work. The Devils started to turn the corner when they got Taylor Hall. Although they did get JVR, the Flyers didn't and their whole coaching staff and front office got fired after another disappointing season.

You always have to continuously improve in this league. Tampa and Toronto both had way better prospects than us, but still was aggressive in acquiring talent. That's the model I want to follow. You can't make moves for the sake of making moves, but you should always try to keep improving.
- 2sticks1puck

From last years roster we’re adding:
Fox Trouba Kravtsov Shestyorkin Kakko. That’s not an improvement over last year?

If they miss out on Panarin, and they actually do feel comfortable with what they have, then they may as well offer sheet someone

90% chance no matter who they offer sheet will get matched anyway, so take a shot

if it gets matched, they are comfortable with team as is anyway
- jimbro83

I wouldn’t mind a blockbuster for Point.....

I wouldn’t mind a blockbuster for Point.....
- nyrangers9479

Offer sheets are so annoying to discuss at this point there’s like .001 chance of em happening at all anymore

Don’t they need their own 2nd in an offer sheet for point? They obv don’t have that

Edit:lol

@darrendreger

There’s a genuine sense around the league a few clubs are strongly considering an offer sheet on Marner, Aho, Connor and perhaps, others. If no deal or an offer sheet doesn’t materialize get ready for a long wait and potential stalemates.

Will believe it when I see it

Offer sheets are so annoying to discuss at this point there’s like .001 chance of em happening at all anymore

Don’t they need their own 2nd in an offer sheet for point? They obv don’t have that

Edit:lol

@darrendreger

There’s a genuine sense around the league a few clubs are strongly considering an offer sheet on Marner, Aho, Connor and perhaps, others. If no deal or an offer sheet doesn’t materialize get ready for a long wait and potential stalemates.

Will believe it when I see it
- NYRangers1124

I wasn’t thinking offer sheet Point, I was thinking trade. But regarding offer sheets it depends on the amount offered for the compensation. We can’t do any that aren’t 10x+ million bc we don’t have a 2nd next year, would have to be an offer that requires 4 1sts.

I wasn’t thinking offer sheet Point, I was thinking trade. But regarding offer sheets it depends on the amount offered for the compensation. We can’t do any that aren’t 10x+ million bc we don’t have a 2nd next year, would have to be an offer that requires 4 1sts.
- nyrangers9479

Oh my b, delirious from no sleep.

Gonna be a fun day regardless

Oh my b, delirious from no sleep.

Gonna be a fun day regardless
- NYRangers1124

Expect the Rangers to lock down Mark Letestu on a 2 way deal today

Offer sheets are so annoying to discuss at this point there’s like .001 chance of em happening at all anymore

Don’t they need their own 2nd in an offer sheet for point? They obv don’t have that

Edit:lol

@darrendreger

There’s a genuine sense around the league a few clubs are strongly considering an offer sheet on Marner, Aho, Connor and perhaps, others. If no deal or an offer sheet doesn’t materialize get ready for a long wait and potential stalemates.

Will believe it when I see it
- NYRangers1124

You gotta figure one of those teams are the rangers if they strike out on the Breadman

Expect the Rangers to lock down Mark Letestu on a 2 way deal today
- TPC

Expect the Rangers to lock down Mark Letestu on a 2 way deal today
- TPC

I heard that awhile ago too

Bob McKenzie
@TSNBobMcKenzie
·

Expect hometown boy Jason Spezza to sign a one-year contract with TOR today.

No Panarin, get Nichushkin and call it a day

Saver, not following you on that post buddy. Are you saying would you rather let Shattenkirk and Smith play OR buy them out and let younger guys play?
- nyrangers9479

I only posed that question, & especially to those against buying out Shatty or Smith, since unless something changes otherwise, signing Panarin is only possible cap wise if utilizing that only GUARANTEED move within their grasp to create his necessary cap space for this season. Of their $18.1M available, $15M to $16M in total is likely needed alone to sign their 4 RFA's in Trouba, Deangelo, Buch, and Lemieux. Where's the cap space coming from to sign Panarin at +/-$12M, even should a trade in relieving Vesey's and Namestnikov's combined $6.275M is made in exchange for draft picks only? A buyout of either Shatty or Smith is the only guaranteed means right after signing Panarin, or prior to the second buyout period expiring this Summer.

Maybe Gorton was trying to mislead other GM's in saying a few days ago, that the Rangers would only be pursuing free agents at a maximum 2 year term. It's also possible he hasn't yet bought out Shatty &/or Smith due to it signaling he would be willing to go overboard to bring in Panarin, which would raise his cost even higher to sign him.

However, a buyout of either two d'men would also enhance the rebuild of their back line, but should only be done this Summer if Panarin accepts the Rangers offer. Overall, I would prefer seeing a young d'man or two gain experience like Hajek was used late last season until being sidelined with his injury. That would be at the expense of Shatty &/or Smith, and exclusive of Panarin's ultimate decision.

No Panarin, get Nichushkin and call it a day
- mdw7413

At this point, I think a cardboard cutout of a hockey player could score more than Nichushkin

At this point, I think a cardboard cutout of a hockey player could score more than Nichushkin
- 2sticks1puck

I just don't think he would sign, cause wasn't Ruff with Dallas when the problems started?i

I want to see an offer sheet to either Marner or Point if we let Panarin go to the Isles

I just don't think he would sign, cause wasn't Ruff with Dallas when the problems started?i
- mdw7413

Yes, but I don't think he just magically turned into a flake. This guy makes Kovalev's work ethic look like Gordie Howe.