Jan Levine: Rangers sign Brendan Lemiuex to a two-year deal with a $1.55 million AAV All of the team's free agents are now under contract

I'm sure this blog will be filled with well reasoned discussion

Nice start!

Am I understanding this correctly that the $13.5M figure freeing up next year is basically going to be used to cover increases to the RFA's and then what is left we have to shop with? That seems like less than I was thinking we'll have.

Am I understanding this correctly that the $13.5M figure freeing up next year is basically going to be used to cover increases to the RFA's and then what is left we have to shop with? That seems like less than I was thinking we'll have.
- Tonybere

Tony D and Strome will be in severe danger of being moved after the season

Am I understanding this correctly that the $13.5M figure freeing up next year is basically going to be used to cover increases to the RFA's and then what is left we have to shop with? That seems like less than I was thinking we'll have.
- Tonybere

Wouldn't it be more? According to cap friendly, we have 9 million coming off our dead cap alone, let alone not having Smith, and not needing as much bonus cushion.

No doubt Mika will get paid. Shesty gets a nice raise, but I'm not sure what kind of raises Lindgren and Buch. You could probably argue with me big raise or not much and I would likely believe you either way

if Lafreniere is here, there is nothing similar about this year's team with last year's team

when the Islanders got John Tavares, were their fans saying meh, we still pretty much have the same team?

we need to get more excited about Lafreniere

if Lafreniere is here, there is nothing similar about this year's team with last year's team

when the Islanders got John Tavares, were their fans saying meh, we still pretty much have the same team?

we need to get more excited about Lafreniere
- jimbro83

Tony D and Strome will be in severe danger of being moved after the season
- jimbro83

AFTER the Expansion Draft, possibly...

if Lafreniere is here, there is nothing similar about this year's team with last year's team

when the Islanders got John Tavares, were their fans saying meh, we still pretty much have the same team?

we need to get more excited about Lafreniere
- jimbro83

We have 3 potentially dynamic lines, that's super exciting.

I honestly think Lemieux has the potential to be a 40pt player and make this contract look a little better, I just don’t see it happening with 4th line minutes. With that said, I still prefer Gauthier on the 3rd line over him (or potentially Kravtsov at some point). Just gotta hope he can make an impact in other ways. Don’t remember him being used on the PK much this year, but might have to now that Fast is gone.

I honestly think Lemieux has the potential to be a 40pt player and make this contract look a little better, I just don’t see it happening with 4th line minutes. With that said, I still prefer Gauthier on the 3rd line over him (or potentially Kravtsov at some point). Just gotta hope he can make an impact in other ways. Don’t remember him being used on the PK much this year, but might have to now that Fast is gone.
- TC88

BL plays on the left side, not the right. And he isn't moving up OUR depth chart on the left. That's why I wanted to see him earning less.
And he did play on the PK some, but he's far too often the reason the PK is out there. And he would be a BIG step down from Fast as a regular PK'er.

Curious the route they go with protection now

Curious the route they go with protection now
- aecliptic

yep,

personally I protect

Panarin
Zib
Kreider
Chytil
Buch
Gauthier

those are the definite 6

and then one more out of Strome, Howden, Lemieux

I think it really depends on how the season goes

yep,

personally I protect

Panarin
Zib
Kreider
Chytil
Buch
Gauthier

those are the definite 6

and then one more out of Strome, Howden, Lemieux

I think it really depends on how the season goes
- jimbro83

Yea I am not really worried at all about the expansion pick. We should be in good shape no matter who they take

Curious the route they go with protection now
- aecliptic

I'm thinking they gave both BL and Stromer 2 year deals and paid them a little more so their would be no bad blood when they expose them next year. If I were Seattle, I would gladly take either of them if they're exposed.

I orginally thought Howden would be a good get for them, but I would rather protect him for our bottom 6.

yep,

personally I protect

Panarin
Zib
Kreider
Chytil
Buch
Gauthier

those are the definite 6

and then one more out of Strome, Howden, Lemieux

I think it really depends on how the season goes
- jimbro83

I know TPC won't like this, but I hope they get Kreider to agree to be left unprotected. Seattle would be smart to take him and relieve us of that contract.

I know TPC won't like this, but I hope they get Kreider to agree to be left unprotected. Seattle would be smart to take him and relieve us of that contract.
- TommyGTrain

Why would he agree to that lol

Why would he agree to that lol
- TPC

This is a fair question.

This is a fair question.
- Tonybere

If he really wanted out he wouldn't have just signed a 7 year deal. Just makes no sense why he would ever agree to go play in Seattle on his own accord when he fought for a NMC in his contract lol.

This is a fair question.
- Tonybere

Seattle could offer him the first Captaincy in their team history.

I know TPC won't like this, but I hope they get Kreider to agree to be left unprotected. Seattle would be smart to take him and relieve us of that contract.
- TommyGTrain

I don't think there's a chance of this happening

Seattle could offer him the first Captaincy in their team history.
- TommyGTrain

Where would you rather play?

Still the softest team in the league. They are now built for trying to do something after 20-21. A team that didn't truly make the playoffs last year and years running and still has cap problems is a testimonial to the less than wonderful general management of J. Gorton, back to the Slats days. Don't make him a genius because he got lucky twice; more swings and misses than hits when it came to building a team. Yeah Strome for Spooner was great...but what of the Spooner and Nemestikof (sp?) contracts?; giving up the world for St. Louis who contributed one stretch run? jury out but lousy return for McD and Miller; Lias Anderson? The hope we have is that Davidson has a record of building skilled and physical teams. Gorton: How many 6'3'' 180 lb. forwards and 5;11" defensemen does one team need?

Still the softest team in the league. They are now built for trying to do something after 20-21. A team that didn't truly make the playoffs last year and years running and still has cap problems is a testimonial to the less than wonderful general management of J. Gorton, back to the Slats days. Don't make him a genius because he got lucky twice; more swings and misses than hits when it came to building a team. Yeah Strome for Spooner was great...but what of the Spooner and Nemestikof (sp?) contracts?; giving up the world for St. Louis who contributed one stretch run? jury out but lousy return for McD and Miller; Lias Anderson? The hope we have is that Davidson has a record of building skilled and physical teams. Gorton: How many 6'3'' 180 lb. forwards and 5;11" defensemen does one team need?
- Orig_6_Fan

Woof