Why would the Avs be interesting in trading their captain? This is as much of a pipedream as my Barkov trade.
- aecliptic

He’s a UFA man

Vince Z. Mercogliano
@vzmercogliano

Mika on the effects on COVID:

"I tried to tell myself that I was feeling good and feeling fine, but it wasn’t easy. I didn’t really feel up to speed after that. … I didn’t want to have an excuse, and also I didn’t want to tell myself that and give myself an excuse."
- jimbro83

i think it was pretty clear that covid was the reason. he was electrifying the last half of the year

He’s a UFA man
- Slimtj100

They could still trade his rights before free agency opens if there was any indecision about him coming back to the team.

I was always a fan of his, but you think Colorado just lets him walk?
- TPC

Idk lol. They do have big contracts coming up tho. You got Makar and McKinnon specifically. McKinnon is getting a fully loaded brinks truck after this crazy bargain contact he had ends in two more seasons. Rantanen makes close to 10 mill a year too

I get the rangers will have have a similar problem, but figuring they trade Buch and Strome if they did sign a big UFA should offset that money. Just seems likely seeing everything said recently about leadership in the room.

They could still trade his rights before free agency opens if there was any indecision about him coming back to the team.
- aecliptic

Landeskog will be back with Avalanche, just like the Capitals are doing with Ovechkin, they are waiting to sign their new contracts until after expansion draft so they dont have to waste a protection slot on them

pretty sure Oilers doing same with RNH

Today should be Quinn day. If he is still here after today he is staying
- TPC

I think Wednesday is the day they say he’s fired or is staying. They have all the exit meetings today then I think they will take Tuesday to figure it out with the announcement Wednesday. But what do I know I’m 2500 miles away

They could still trade his rights before free agency opens if there was any indecision about him coming back to the team.
- aecliptic

This was discussed prior on this blog, but with the expansion draft coming up, Col does not need to protect Landeskog and it is assumed that there may be an agreement in place to sign after the draft is done.

With that said, if Colorado falls flat, maybe they would want to revamp their team a little. That is a big maybe though.

Landeskog will be back with Avalanche, just like the Capitals are doing with Ovechkin, they are waiting to sign their new contracts until after expansion draft so they dont have to wait a protection slot on them

pretty sure Oilers doing same with RNH
- jimbro83

um yeah...this

This was discussed prior on this blog, but with the expansion draft coming up, Col does not need to protect Landeskog and it is assumed that there may be an agreement in place to sign after the draft is done.

With that said, if Colorado falls flat, maybe they would want to revamp their team a little. That is a big maybe though.
- climbdenali12

Ah, gotchya, yea that makes a lot of sense.

This was discussed prior on this blog, but with the expansion draft coming up, Col does not need to protect Landeskog and it is assumed that there may be an agreement in place to sign after the draft is done.

With that said, if Colorado falls flat, maybe they would want to revamp their team a little. That is a big maybe though.
- climbdenali12

Remember what they told you as a kid, never assume anything

Remember what they told you as a kid, never assume anything
- Slimtj100

Colorado is a contender and they have been for a few years now but have not been nearly as successful in the playoffs as they would have hoped. If they start to rethink their own team make up maybe there could be a trade. Regardless, I do not think they would let an asset like Landeskog just walk. That would be foolish on their part.

Seeing Lindgren win players player award should say all that needs to be said that he should be captain. They need to name one and why not him?

Great post Jan.

Here are my two cents (w/questions and my answers):

1) Will David Quinn be back as the coach? Not sure how Drury's close relationship will decide this million dollar question, but if he stays, I believe he will have a very short leash and will need to start the season strong. There is no doubt he needs to be better as well.
2) If Quinn is not back, who should take over as coach? Gerard Gallant? Mike Babcock? John Totorella? Rick Tocchet? Kris Knoblauch? Other? I think Torts would may be too much for some of these young players and personally think Gallant or Messier would be better options for this squad right now.
3) With Mika Zibenajed a free agent after next season, would you start contract negotiations now, and if so, what type of deal would you offer in terms of years and dollars? I feel Mika showed his value the latter part of the season and I believe COVID is what made him have that horrible start to the season. I would start these now and try to hammer out a deal before next season starts. Get this off his mind so he can focus on playing the way we need. And a healthy and focused Mika is important.
4) What to do with D'Angelo? If Drury is on the same page with Gorton and Davidson where he will never play for this team, then move on from him sooner than later. Whether you end up getting something for him or not, just choke it up to a bad signing, buy him out and move on.
5) Addressing the toughness situation. Whoever is the new coach needs to instill the fact that everyone needs to throw the body, finish your checks, and show even just a light physicality in the game. We lacked this all season, with or without Lemieux. Definitely need to strengthen this aspect of the roster for sure, and we know that will happen, just curious how and who.
6) Goalie situation. Do you keep Shesterkin and Georgiev or do you move Georgiev and get something for him and keep a veteran like Kinkaid to back you up? I think I would consider that, especially if the return will better your team or draft picks in the future. I also know this is also an exposure thing for Seattle too.
7) The defense. We saw a better defense than the previous year and I felt Smith showed a lot of heart and strength this season filling in. Rangers need some veteran leadership back there and he was well liked in the locker room, plus he wants to be here. Do you bring him back if cheap? I would consider it. I would love to see Miller and Fox focus on strengthing their size, like Leetch did around the 1994 season that made him a better all-around player. You have Trouba, Fox, Miller, Lindgren, Jones, Hajek and Reunanen. You have highly-touted Lindqvist waiting on deck and only Trouba is over 23. I feel you need to have Smith or someone a little more effective than Bitetto on this roster.
8) Captaincy. I am not sure if this HAS to happen, but I am also not sure if this person is on this team right now. There are many good leaders on this team, but not all are good enough all-around to be captain. Kreider has potential, but is too inconsistent, year after year. Some games he comes out real strong and others he is unnoticeable. I believe they can be successful without one, but having one....the right one...can allow the rest of the team to turn to this individual night-in and night-out.
9) Howden. Howden has some good things and has potential, although he seems to be struggling in NY when it comes to scoring, and even his chances, he looks nervous when he is about to score, then has a bad result. Is it time to let him try to be e better player elsewhere? Might be. And this leads into my last question.
10) Faceoffs. This team can really use someone who is experienced and does well on faceoffs. Get me someone who can be consistent and can be counted on in crucial situations. Too many times this has been a problem this season. I would address this need too.

We know this team is just about there. The power play and penalty killing were very good, especially from where they have been the past couple of seasons, so that is a good sign. A little roster tweaking, a little more seasoning for these young players, the ability to have them come out of the gate each night with a solid effort, and strengthening the team on both ends of the ice, I feel, will make this team a force to be reckon with in years to come.

Great post Jan.

Here are my two cents (w/questions and my answers):

1) Will David Quinn be back as the coach? Not sure how Drury's close relationship will decide this million dollar question, but if he stays, I believe he will have a very short leash and will need to start the season strong. There is no doubt he needs to be better as well.
2) If Quinn is not back, who should take over as coach? Gerard Gallant? Mike Babcock? John Totorella? Rick Tocchet? Kris Knoblauch? Other? I think Torts would may be too much for some of these young players and personally think Gallant or Messier would be better options for this squad right now.
3) With Mika Zibenajed a free agent after next season, would you start contract negotiations now, and if so, what type of deal would you offer in terms of years and dollars? I feel Mika showed his value the latter part of the season and I believe COVID is what made him have that horrible start to the season. I would start these now and try to hammer out a deal before next season starts. Get this off his mind so he can focus on playing the way we need. And a healthy and focused Mika is important.
4) What to do with D'Angelo? If Drury is on the same page with Gorton and Davidson where he will never play for this team, then move on from him sooner than later. Whether you end up getting something for him or not, just choke it up to a bad signing, buy him out and move on.
5) Addressing the toughness situation. Whoever is the new coach needs to instill the fact that everyone needs to throw the body, finish your checks, and show even just a light physicality in the game. We lacked this all season, with or without Lemieux. Definitely need to strengthen this aspect of the roster for sure, and we know that will happen, just curious how and who.
6) Goalie situation. Do you keep Shesterkin and Georgiev or do you move Georgiev and get something for him and keep a veteran like Kinkaid to back you up? I think I would consider that, especially if the return will better your team or draft picks in the future. I also know this is also an exposure thing for Seattle too.
7) The defense. We saw a better defense than the previous year and I felt Smith showed a lot of heart and strength this season filling in. Rangers need some veteran leadership back there and he was well liked in the locker room, plus he wants to be here. Do you bring him back if cheap? I would consider it. I would love to see Miller and Fox focus on strengthing their size, like Leetch did around the 1994 season that made him a better all-around player. You have Trouba, Fox, Miller, Lindgren, Jones, Hajek and Reunanen. You have highly-touted Lindqvist waiting on deck and only Trouba is over 23. I feel you need to have Smith or someone a little more effective than Bitetto on this roster.
8) Captaincy. I am not sure if this HAS to happen, but I am also not sure if this person is on this team right now. There are many good leaders on this team, but not all are good enough all-around to be captain. Kreider has potential, but is too inconsistent, year after year. Some games he comes out real strong and others he is unnoticeable. I believe they can be successful without one, but having one....the right one...can allow the rest of the team to turn to this individual night-in and night-out.
9) Howden. Howden has some good things and has potential, although he seems to be struggling in NY when it comes to scoring, and even his chances, he looks nervous when he is about to score, then has a bad result. Is it time to let him try to be e better player elsewhere? Might be. And this leads into my last question.
10) Faceoffs. This team can really use someone who is experienced and does well on faceoffs. Get me someone who can be consistent and can be counted on in crucial situations. Too many times this has been a problem this season. I would address this need too.

We know this team is just about there. The power play and penalty killing were very good, especially from where they have been the past couple of seasons, so that is a good sign. A little roster tweaking, a little more seasoning for these young players, the ability to have them come out of the gate each night with a solid effort, and strengthening the team on both ends of the ice, I feel, will make this team a force to be reckon with in years to come.
- musicnutz

On deangelo...where is he going to play? They have about 15 RHD here or coming, LHD he looked pretty awful and they have guys ready there too. I just don’t see him coming back. And it has nothing to do with the punch to Georgy

On deangelo...where is he going to play? They have about 15 RHD here or coming, LHD he looked pretty awful and they have guys ready there too. I just don’t see him coming back. And it has nothing to do with the punch to Georgy
- Slimtj100

If Tony D is here next year, he's a 4.8 million cap hit

if he's buyout, he's a 383K cap hit

its pretty obvious what they'll do

Phil Kocher
@PhilKocher
·
2m
"I think there would be interest if there was a change in New York in Tortorella. I don't know if he would become the front runner but I do think they would have some interest." —
@FriedgeHNIC
on latest 31 Thoughts podcast #NYR

If Tony D is here next year, he's a 4.8 million cap hit

if he's buyout, he's a 383K cap hit

its pretty obvious what they'll do
- jimbro83

It’s a no brainer decision. Maybe even Seattle takes him. He would be the most talented Ranger exposed thats for sure

Phil Kocher
@PhilKocher
·
2m
"I think there would be interest if there was a change in New York in Tortorella. I don't know if he would become the front runner but I do think they would have some interest." —
@FriedgeHNIC
on latest 31 Thoughts podcast #NYR
- jimbro83

Man that would blow if the Rangers brought him back

Phil Kocher
@PhilKocher
·
2m
"I think there would be interest if there was a change in New York in Tortorella. I don't know if he would become the front runner but I do think they would have some interest." —
@FriedgeHNIC
on latest 31 Thoughts podcast #NYR
- jimbro83

No to Torts

No to Torts
- mdw7413

Ah (frank) you're still alive

Landeskog will be back with Avalanche, just like the Capitals are doing with Ovechkin, they are waiting to sign their new contracts until after expansion draft so they dont have to waste a protection slot on them

pretty sure Oilers doing same with RNH
- jimbro83

I actually think one player at least will screw the team by double crossing them on a handshake agreement. Not saying that it will be RNH, but he's someone who will always be in McD and Drastil's shadow, he goes to another team he might get more money and an enhanced role. I mean the original team wouldn't have any recourse in that situation.

I actually think one player at least will screw the team by double crossing them on a handshake agreement. Not saying that it will be RNH, but he's someone who will always be in McD and Drastil's shadow, he goes to another team he might get more money and an enhanced role. I mean the original team wouldn't have any recourse in that situation.
- 2sticks1puck

You have to think some teams may also go back on the agreement.

You have to think some teams may also go back on the agreement.
- JRR1285

Yeah, I'm usually wrong about these kind of things, but I think there will be a decent amount of movement this offseason. Ovechkin is retiring a Capital, but I'm not convinced someone who is entering his prime and might have his only shot at big guaranteed money, isn't at least thinking about testing the waters.

Eichel, ooofa

https://twitter.com/Matt_.../1391792666732548108?s=20

Eichel, ooofa

https://twitter.com/Matt_.../1391792666732548108?s=20
- jimbro83

How do you say I want out without actually saying the words "I want out"