Jan Levine: With Dvorak in Montreal, could Hertl be the Rangers' target if no Eichel? One option off the board

IDK here.
As we cross off names and move down the list of centers we would best like to see on our roster, I can't help but feel we approach the likes of Strome and Chytil.
At what point do we realize the grass is pretty much the same shade on both sides of the fence?
Improvements have been made. Let's get these guys into camp and start working toward improving as a team. Our own guys can show improvement at this level as much as other teams.

When we went into the offseason, he was first on my list of people to go after as far as realistic targets were concerned.

Cost wise, it seemed that on ACGM the accepted value on him would be Chytil and a 1st round pick.

That being said, he will be a free agent next year along with Zibanejad, Fox, Kakko and Kravtsov which would put us in a very difficult position going into next years offseason. Unless guys take discounts to keep it all together, I have a hard time believing it can be kept together.

I think ultimately, the ability of the Rangers to create a SC contender falls solely on the shoulders of Adam Fox. Its not the ideal situation, its one we all we rather avoid however if Fox would take a bridge deal of some sort that would bring the AAV down to the 6-7m range until the 2024 offseason it would help us massively. In the 2024 offseason Kreider and Trouba's contracts become modified NTC's and we can move forward from these cap killers for us.

Go ahead and give them Strome and Kakko for Hertl!! Extend Fox as soon as possible and then extend Zib and Hertl as soon as possible! Contender for several years!

Go ahead and give them Strome and Kakko for Hertl!! Extend Fox as soon as possible and then extend Zib and Hertl as soon as possible! Contender for several years!
- HenryHockey

Deals like Strome and Kakko for Hertl would make us the next Arizona Coyotes.

?? Strome for Hertl would be more like it. No need to add Kakko

When we went into the offseason, he was first on my list of people to go after as far as realistic targets were concerned.

Cost wise, it seemed that on ACGM the accepted value on him would be Chytil and a 1st round pick.

That being said, he will be a free agent next year along with Zibanejad, Fox, Kakko and Kravtsov which would put us in a very difficult position going into next years offseason. Unless guys take discounts to keep it all together, I have a hard time believing it can be kept together.

I think ultimately, the ability of the Rangers to create a SC contender falls solely on the shoulders of Adam Fox. Its not the ideal situation, its one we all we rather avoid however if Fox would take a bridge deal of some sort that would bring the AAV down to the 6-7m range until the 2024 offseason it would help us massively. In the 2024 offseason Kreider and Trouba's contracts become modified NTC's and we can move forward from these cap killers for us.
- aecliptic

I cant see 4 or 5 guys taking discounts. KK and Kravs havent done anything to garner a large raise, no way Fox takes a cut that big, the NHLPA will be all over him. I dont think Zibby is a guy who can carry a team threw 4 rounds to a Cup but he is one of our best point producers during the regular season, we will see what kind of contract he gets.

While I don't really mine Hertl, is that gonna be out thing? Signing/trading for guys who've scored five goals in a game against us?

Thanks Jan for all the Ranger articles. Sure look forward to seeing and hearing you on the podcast to talk Rangers. The Flyer and Toronto talk seems to be done the most. HAPPY NEW YEAR

I cant see 4 or 5 guys taking discounts. KK and Kravs havent done anything to garner a large raise, no way Fox takes a cut that big, the NHLPA will be all over him. I dont think Zibby is a guy who can carry a team threw 4 rounds to a Cup but he is one of our best point producers during the regular season, we will see what kind of contract he gets.
- Brukie

It wont be 4 or 5 guys.

I think what it will come down to in this situation is, will Zib and Hertl take a little less to get Fox the deal that will protect us in the long term, or would Fox be the team player to take a little less on a bridge to keep Zib and Hertl.

Kakko and Krav Im not worried about in this unless one of them has a huge breakout season.

GENESIS 1976, Phil Collins sporting the Ranger jersey in Central Park before a MSG Concert

?? Strome for Hertl would be more like it. No need to add Kakko
- rrentz

Hertl>Strome,
Ok, Kappo is overpayment. Strome + '23 3rd will do it

GENESIS 1976, Phil Collins sporting the Ranger jersey in Central Park before a MSG Concert


- B2B76

The last time Genesis was decent.

Hertl>Strome,
Ok, Kappo is overpayment. Strome + '23 3rd will do it

- HenryHockey

If hes only coming in as a rental, sure. If they plan to resign him then theyll have to potentially pony up a bit more and potentially move out Chytil and Reaves’ contracts in 2023.

GENESIS 1976, Phil Collins sporting the Ranger jersey in Central Park before a MSG Concert


- B2B76

They are touring for the first time in 15 years this winter, should be interesting

While I don't really mine Hertl, is that gonna be out thing? Signing/trading for guys who've scored five goals in a game against us?
- MeltingPlastic

He is a free agent after this year so should be interesting what they would give up for him

I view Strome for Hertl as a lateral move. It’s almost like we’d be making a move just for the sake of making a move, at the expense of tearing up some proven chemistry between Strome and Panarin.

Strome was the 15th highest scoring center last year. That’s bonafide “elite” 2C territory I think. Obviously he benefitted from playing with Panarin, but the fact that we know that Strome can put up those numbers playing with Panarin is enough for me to be okay with Zib - Strome down the middle.

Strome has a shot at finishing in the top 10 last year if Panarin doesn’t take that hiatus.

Panarin thrives when he has the puck on his stick so that he has the opportunity to do Panarin things. That’s why him and Strome work so well together. Strome main role on that line is to feed Panarin the puck, and they have that subconscious chemistry at this point that Strome is able to get in a position to bury Panarin’s feeds. If Panarin would thrive that much more with an elite center, then I think we would’ve seen Panarin and Zib play at even strength a lot more often the last couple years.

I view Strome for Hertl as a lateral move. It’s almost like we’d be making a move just for the sake of making a move, at the expense of tearing up some proven chemistry between Strome and Panarin.

Strome was the 15th highest scoring center last year. That’s bonafide “elite” 2C territory I think. Obviously he benefitted from playing with Panarin, but the fact that we know that Strome can put up those numbers playing with Panarin is enough for me to be okay with Zib - Strome down the middle.

Strome has a shot at finishing in the top 10 last year if Panarin doesn’t take that hiatus.
- rangerdanger94

Except Strome is literally only useful at even strength as a C.

Hertl puts up points at a similar pace with players barely half the skill set of Panarin. Hertl also wins faceoffs at very high % and is a decent defender. Hertl is a player you can plug into any situation on the ice, something you cant do with Strome. Its something we lack at center altogether.

Except Strome is literally only useful at even strength as a C.

Hertl puts up points at a similar pace with players barely half the skill set of Panarin. Hertl also wins faceoffs at very high % and is a decent defender. Hertl is a player you can plug into any situation on the ice, something you cant do with Strome. Its something we lack at center altogether.
- aecliptic

I dont disagree, but I just feel like replacing Strome with Hertl may be a “you don’t know what you got till it’s gone” type of situation, and reports were that players were pissed off that Buch was traded. Trading a guy like Strome who has been part of the team for a while now and is well liked could just cause more dissent.

I think it would be an easier argument if we are getting a legitimate upgrade to a guy that is a fringe-to-solid 1C but I don’t think Hertl is a big enough upgrade to warrant “needing” to make a trade for him

I dont disagree, but I just feel like replacing Strome with Hertl may be a “you don’t know what you got till it’s gone” type of situation, and reports were that players were pissed off that Buch was traded. Trading a guy like Strome who has been part of the team for a while now and is well liked could just cause more dissent.

I think it would be an easier argument if we are getting a legitimate upgrade to a guy that is a fringe-to-solid 1C but I don’t think Hertl is a big enough upgrade to warrant “needing” to make a trade for him
- rangerdanger94

You have to do things for the greater good of the team as a whole. If you have a center that isnt good on defense, not good on faceoffs and his only role is to feed Panarin, Im sorry but thats not grounds for keeping someone.

at this point I'd be really shocked if anything else happened

they are going to camp with what they have and we will see how it all shakes out

plenty of cap space during the season to make a trade if one develops

at this point I'd be really shocked if anything else happened

they are going to camp with what they have and we will see how it all shakes out

plenty of cap space during the season to make a trade if one develops
- jimbro83

Oh I dont think anything happens. If there's some sort of trade, I think it happens late Dec/Jan before the deadline depending on how things are looking.

Zib-Strome-Dvorak would have been a solid upgrade. Don’t think replacing Strome with Dvorak would have moved the needle a ton, but he is a few years younger. A little surprised they wouldn’t match what Montreal paid (although likely trading Chytil in place of one of those picks). Drury is likely hung up on Eichel which is scary at this point. If the surgery is successful, the price goes up. If not, obviously walk away. Sucks these talks likely continue another 4-6 months. At this point, would rather just roll with this group for the year and hope we have some surprises in the system already. Other teams seem to get lucky there, we haven’t had one at center since…?

You have to do things for the greater good of the team as a whole. If you have a center that isnt good on defense, not good on faceoffs and his only role is to feed Panarin, Im sorry but thats not grounds for keeping someone.
- aecliptic

My counter argument here is if you have a center that is top 10 in the league at scoring, then you don’t trade that away for a center that’s better at defense and faceoffs.

I get that he’s playing with Panarin, but pretty sure Panarin is putting up more points now with Strome than he did playing with Patrick Kane. Not that Strome is anywhere near the level of Kane, but the chemistry he has with Panarin is clearly working.

at this point I'd be really shocked if anything else happened

they are going to camp with what they have and we will see how it all shakes out

plenty of cap space during the season to make a trade if one develops
- jimbro83

I am just shocked, based on all the insiders they tried to sign Danuelt, tried to trade for Eichel and tried to move Strome. Just find it hard to believe Drury is fine with his center depth. A big reason for moving Buch was to create cap space for this upgrade.