Rangers @ Penguins, 8PM, NBCSN

is that it might take 50/7 years to resign him. What if his game goes to shit like MS and DG? That's a franchise back breaker. And then if you sign him, what do you do with Skjei? Will AV move a LD to RD? Or is Skjei a goner? I dont believe we'll get the right value back for him.

May make more sense to let him walk.

is still a 4 million increase to our cap vs what currently paying him. Boyle coming off the payroll does neatly offset that -- but then you have Miller due likely a $2 million raise *at least*, Kreider likely looking at a $1 million raise if not $2 million, and Hayes cap hit of $3.8 mil.. you'd think the increase there would be negligible but word is his agent isnt being reasonable just yet. To be safe let's assume the raise due these 3 is $5 million.

In short - one of Nash, Girardi or Staal has to go and be replaced internally (Buch, Skjei etc) to make room for Yandle (or Shattenkirk... and the issue with KS is what do we have to give St Louis that they'd accept... Staal for KS ain't gonna happen unfortunately)

according to Babcock, Hunwick has been their #1 Dman all year. Phaneuf's game has gone to shit - i cant believe they found a taker for him (and that he waived a NMC to Ottawa)

His NMC expired - had to submit 10 or 12 teams he wouldn't go to.

I do think guys with NMC's are easier to move than people think, though.

out there that would like to have Staal and/or Girardi. I even think we could get them to waive their NMC's. What's troubling though is based on the way they're used, I don't think the Rangers have any interest in trading them.

as insurance in case they cant land Yandle or Shattenkirk this offseason. Hard to know.

Also a delicate situation - you have to ask the player if they'll waive and find a trading partner willing to take on that commitment -- once you go to the player, you risk losing his effort and dedication while still here.

I'm also not sure our guys will waive their NMCs -- would be nice, but you heard Lundqvist talk after the game to NBCsports about how close he is with the other vets on this team, and then there's the Hagelin article above (REALLY fuckin miss that guy)... its a tight lockerroom. Phaneuf in contrast is playing for one of the worst 3 teams in the league and very early stages of a long rebuild for a fan base that is brutally impatient.

I think one of Friedman's articles for Sportsnet awhile back quoted a GM that said you typically set up a deal before asking them to waive.