Jan Levine: Adam Fox signs seven-year deal with a $9.5 mil AAV, my take, @VAN tonight Norris Trophy in the fold long-term

Offer sheets will definitely be a concern, however, Kakko has no arbitration rights so the Rangers can save some money there in a bridge deal.

Offer sheets will definitely be a concern, however, Kakko has no arbitration rights so the Rangers can save some money there in a bridge deal.
- aecliptic

Next year I think they are fine with offer sheets. The following year with Laf and Miller could be a problem

Next year I think they are fine with offer sheets. The following year with Laf and Miller could be a problem
- nyrangers2

They also have no arbitration rights, so it will definitely be interesting to see how that plays out.

Gallant wants more from the 3rd line, but you can't get blood from a rock.

Chytil is a winger not center, Laffy looks to be the reincarnation of Johnny Bucyk. For those who don't know, Buyck carved out a terrific career in Boston, but probably never scored a goal more than 10 feet from the net. Blais is terrific, comes as advertised.

Chytil is expendable, unless he's moved to the wing. Not sure about Laffy. Needs time but not a great skater..

If they can't sign Strome, it leaves two huge holes at center. Haven't been impressed with Barron yet. Maybe he fills the 3rd line center spot.

since 2018 ( NHL States) more than 176 games (totally objective) Zbad played 204 games and Crosby 176 - Draisaitl played the most games 217

Zbad is 11th amongst centers PPG and playing with not a great team over that period. Barzal is 24th behind JT Miller. Taveras is 12th - Eichel was 20th

these were the ten better: McDavid, Draisatl, McKinnon, Barkov, Scheifele, Mathews, Aho, Stamkos, Point and Crosby

Gallant wants more from the 3rd line, but you can't get blood from a rock.

Chytil is a winger not center, Laffy looks to be the reincarnation of Johnny Bucyk. For those who don't know, Buyck carved out a terrific career in Boston, but probably never scored a goal more than 10 feet from the net. Blais is terrific, comes as advertised.

Chytil is expendable, unless he's moved to the wing. Not sure about Laffy. Needs time but not a great skater..

If they can't sign Strome, it leaves two huge holes at center. Haven't been impressed with Barron yet. Maybe he fills the 3rd line center spot.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

If Laf can score 545 goals like Bucyk, I won't give a damn from where he puts them in the net

If Laf can score 545 goals like Bucyk, I won't give a damn from where he puts them in the net
- airjan23

Agreed. But that will take a lot of help from a creative center. Do you see any?

The Fox deal seems aggressive and premature.

Gallant wants more from the 3rd line, but you can't get blood from a rock.

Chytil is a winger not center, Laffy looks to be the reincarnation of Johnny Bucyk. For those who don't know, Buyck carved out a terrific career in Boston, but probably never scored a goal more than 10 feet from the net. Blais is terrific, comes as advertised.

Chytil is expendable, unless he's moved to the wing. Not sure about Laffy. Needs time but not a great skater..

If they can't sign Strome, it leaves two huge holes at center. Haven't been impressed with Barron yet. Maybe he fills the 3rd line center spot.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

I see Barron being a slow flame, I think he will excel as a 3C and with time having the potential to be a 2C.

LAF just isnt showing that next level aggressiveness and skill. His skating was always a point of concern, however its something that can definitely be improved. I find that he over thinks things sometimes rather than just making the simple play. That fire he came out with playing in MTL needs to be an every game thing, and it hasnt been. I know it may seem a bit sacrilege but I think he may need some time in the AHL. He was rushed into the NHL with all this potential and has been playing catch up the whole time.

Chytil I think started the season well, I didnt have any major complaints about his game. He seemed to be pretty visible, making decent plays. However, Im not sure if hes the right type of player that would mesh with Panarin if we part ways with Strome.

Id like to see Blais on the 2nd line with Panarin and Strome. I think his crafty hands can really fit in with those 2 skill guys.

The Fox deal seems aggressive and premature.
- Shady1962

Agreed. But that will take a lot of help from a creative center. Do you see any?
- OLDSCHOOL#6

Right now, no. But Esposito wasn't the most creative either and look at the success he had. Yes, extrapolating and not ready to say any are a bust

Agreed. But that will take a lot of help from a creative center. Do you see any?
- OLDSCHOOL#6

I dont think it has to be limited to a center, they just need creative players outside of Panarin, period. However, LAF needs to help himself also. He needs to be aggressive to the net.

The Fox deal seems aggressive and premature.
- Shady1962

Kind of like how I expect your ejac to be.

Kind of like how I expect your ejac to be.
- JRR1285

BAZINGA!!!!

Kind of like how I expect your ejac to be.
- JRR1285

You’re talking to a 59 year old who came to a hockey blog to troll people

BAZINGA!!!!
- aecliptic

I loathe that show.

You’re talking to a 59 year old who came to a hockey blog to troll people
- picklerick

I treat everyone equally regardless of age or mental capacity.

I dont think it has to be limited to a center, they just need creative players outside of Panarin, period. However, LAF needs to help himself also. He needs to be aggressive to the net.
- aecliptic

Laf looks like he is too much on cruise control with his level of talent.

I treat everyone equally regardless of age or mental capacity.
- JRR1285

Damn right. Discriminate none, hatred and contempt for all equally.

I mentioned last evening on Jan's prior blog of Fox's 7 year extension at a $9.5M AAV being the highest contract in NHL history for a d'man exiting from his Entry Level status.

But that didn't prevent former GM Jeff Gorton from stating tonight on NHL Network a couple of interesting things.

The first in that "Fox should have asked for, and could have received even more" than that amount; but "did the team a favor." So Gorton feels that Fox did extend the Rangers that so called team friendly discount with his new deal, which he added was also "a great deal for the Rangers" for the best overall d'man currently playing in the NHL, in coming off a Norris Trophy win in just his second year; for the second d'man ever to win one in year two.

Secondly, when asked by NHL Network's Brian Lawton if the Rangers should have given Fox the one extra year on his deal, Gorton replied that "Fox is smart, and knows he will be able to receive another similar long term deal" after this one expires at his then age of 31, in believing he will play that long.

It required Rangers management and ownership to witness two of Fox's best plays made in the last two games to realize they finally better pay their best player now as close to what he deserves. That prior to his even somehow better play thus far of this season costing them up to a likely additional $2M to match both their highest paid player's AAV in Panarin, and that of the highest paid d'man in the NHL in Erik Karlsson; with both at an $11.5M AAV.

I mentioned last evening on Jan's prior blog of Fox's 7 year extension at a $9.5M AAV being the highest contract in NHL history for a d'man exiting from his Entry Level status.

But that didn't prevent former GM Jeff Gorton from stating tonight on NHL Network a couple of interesting things.

The first in that "Fox should have asked for, and could have received even more" than that amount; but "did the team a favor." So Gorton feels that Fox did extend the Rangers that so called team friendly discount with his new deal, which he added was also "a great deal for the Rangers" for the best overall d'man currently playing in the NHL, in coming off a Norris Trophy win in just his second year; for the second d'man ever to win one in year two.

Secondly, when asked by NHL Network's Brian Lawton if the Rangers should have given Fox the one extra year on his deal, Gorton replied that "Fox is smart, and knows he will be able to receive another similar long term deal" after this one expires at his then age of 31, in believing he will play that long.

It required Rangers management and ownership to witness two of Fox's best plays made in the last two games to realize they finally better pay their best player now as close to what he deserves, prior to his even somehow better play thus far of this $2M additional to match both their highest paid player's AAV in Panarin, and that of the highest paid d'man in the NHL in Erik Karlsson; with both at an $11.5M AAV.
- RangerSaver

That $$ was going up with every minute he played

I mentioned last evening on Jan's prior blog of Fox's 7 year extension at a $9.5M AAV being the highest contract in NHL history for a d'man exiting from his Entry Level status.

But that didn't prevent former GM Jeff Gorton from stating tonight on NHL Network a couple of interesting things.

The first in that "Fox should have asked for, and could have received even more" than that amount; but "did the team a favor." So Gorton feels that Fox did extend the Rangers that so called team friendly discount with his new deal, which he added was also "a great deal for the Rangers" for the best overall d'man currently playing in the NHL, in coming off a Norris Trophy win in just his second year; for the second d'man ever to win one in year two.

Secondly, when asked by NHL Network's Brian Lawton if the Rangers should have given Fox the one extra year on his deal, Gorton replied that "Fox is smart, and knows he will be able to receive another similar long term deal" after this one expires at his then age of 31, in believing he will play that long.

It required Rangers management and ownership to witness two of Fox's best plays made in the last two games to realize they finally better pay their best player now as close to what he deserves. That prior to his even somehow better play thus far of this season costing them up to a likely additional $2M to match both their highest paid player's AAV in Panarin, and that of the highest paid d'man in the NHL in Erik Karlsson; with both at an $11.5M AAV.
- RangerSaver

How in the name of all that is holy, is this just 6 sentences?

How in the name of all that is holy, is this just 6 sentences?
- Tonybere

The most long winded 6 sentences ever.

That $$ was going up with every minute he played
- picklerick

This was the reason why once he was announced as winner of the Norris Trophy with the NHL under a flat cap expected to increase only $1M per year for the next few seasons, I felt they should have immediately made Fox a Fox's worth offseason offer, prior to the cost becoming likely higher for them once the new season began. That would be not only due to the Norris Trophy winner's play likely improving some in year three dictating a then higher price; but also due to some other top NHL d'men with expiring contracts possibly being (& were) extended with early ahead new deals by their respective teams.

In addition, some other top 10 d'men were already given new contract extensions last season, (Makar of key comparison then at a $9M AAV); before Dougie Hamilton was signed in the Summer as a F.A. by the Devils at a likewise $9M AAV.