NFT: Bob McKenzie speculates on the NY Rangers Trade Deadline:

have a long way to go, I'm not convinced Gorton knows what he's doing yet.

Convinced that he has no idea what he's doing.

They need a clean sweep of the front office. Sather and all of his minions need to go. He's been running the team for two decades and has one five game Finals loss to show for it.

In comment 14296654 JonC said:

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have a long way to go, I'm not convinced Gorton knows what he's doing yet.

Nor do I. His returns on many trades have been less than optimal. And that Olof Lindbom pick? Extremely head-scratching. Kravtsov and K'Andre look like real studs though.

In comment 14296632 Anakim said:

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Maybe to the Avalanche in a deal for Cale Makar+

These guys both seem linked to Winnipeg too, who has some potential elite talent in their system in Vesalainen, Niku, and Appleton.

In comment 14296654 JonC said:

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have a long way to go, I'm not convinced Gorton knows what he's doing yet.

I think it's way too early to determine if Gorton is competent or not. It seems like he hired a good coach, I really like what Quinn has done with this team this year. With one of the worst blue lines I have ever seen a team have (Pionk playing 20+ minutes a game bad), they are pretty much in every game and have won some games against some excellent teams, and played very well in several others. I also have high hopes for many of the draft picks made since Gorton took over. I think Chytil has a good chance to be a solid NHL scorer, Miller looks the part too. Remember everyone wanted the Rangers to take Wahlstrom? Not to say he won't be good, but Kravtsov was not as safe a pick, but looks like he could be a phenomenal NHL talent.

That said, I still think they could have gotten more back in the McDonagh/Miller trade, and extending Namestnikov at $4M a year was questionable as well. This offseason is a big one, as he has a chance to land Panarin and/or Karlsson, and we will see what happens with Kravtsov (can't imagine he'll be in NY this year, more likely Hartford) and Shestyorkin (will his game transfer to the North American game?) Regardless, this is the most excited I think I have ever been for an NHL offseason. However, I am truly enjoying watching this team this year.

fleeced Ottawa for Zibanejad.

Brassard for Zibanejad was a steal. I can't deny that. On the whole, though, there are many more misses than hits on Gorton's record.

Brooks suggests keeping him. Hints at the same for Hayes. And if the best deal is a late second and an ok prospect for Zucc, I'm inclined to agree. With Hayes and Zucc though it all depends on working out a new contract. Can't lose them for nothing in free agency
Link - ( New Window )

In comment 14296730 Kyle in NY said:

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Brooks suggests keeping him. Hints at the same for Hayes. And if the best deal is a late second and an ok prospect for Zucc, I'm inclined to agree. With Hayes and Zucc though it all depends on working out a new contract. Can't lose them for nothing in free agency Link - ( New Window )

who's to say they can't have it both ways with one or both of those guys?

Sit them down, have an honest talk, and ask them if they'd like to go have a 2018 cup run somewhere else. And let them know it's not a reflection of the organization's interest in their services as free agents.

In comment 14296720 Professor Falken said:

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fleeced Ottawa for Zibanejad.

His best move, by far

the goalie prospects for d-man or C prospects?

Wonder what his brother Doug thinks. Hmmm....

In comment 14296756 ColHowPepper said:

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the goalie prospects for d-man or C prospects?

As long as it's not the Mighty Igor


And frankly, I think we would've fared a lot better this year had we played Georgiev more. I think he's superior to Henrik right now.

And generally don't have a ton of trade value.

this rebuild without trading Henrik?

In comment 14296805 jlukes said:

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this rebuild without trading Henrik?

Because Henrik has been adamant about not wanting to leave New York. He wants to stick around, even for the rebuild.

In comment 14296663 ShockNRoll said:

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In comment 14296632 Anakim said: Quote: Maybe to the Avalanche in a deal for Cale Makar+ These guys both seem linked to Winnipeg too, who has some potential elite talent in their system in Vesalainen, Niku, and Appleton.

I'd love to see us get Niko!

In comment 14296806 Anakim said:

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In comment 14296805 jlukes said: Quote: this rebuild without trading Henrik? Because Henrik has been adamant about not wanting to leave New York. He wants to stick around, even for the rebuild.

That is very... nice? of him. But wouldn't the rebuild benefit from trading him? Is it really expected for him to be part of the long term plan?

In comment 14296810 jlukes said:

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In comment 14296806 Anakim said: Quote: In comment 14296805 jlukes said: Quote: this rebuild without trading Henrik? Because Henrik has been adamant about not wanting to leave New York. He wants to stick around, even for the rebuild. That is very... nice? of him. But wouldn't the rebuild benefit from trading him? Is it really expected for him to be part of the long term plan?

did you miss the part about the full NMC? He's basically calling the shots as far as whether he's here or not.

Not many of us are thrilled about it.

In comment 14296810 jlukes said:

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In comment 14296806 Anakim said: Quote: In comment 14296805 jlukes said: Quote: this rebuild without trading Henrik? Because Henrik has been adamant about not wanting to leave New York. He wants to stick around, even for the rebuild. That is very... nice? of him. But wouldn't the rebuild benefit from trading him? Is it really expected for him to be part of the long term plan?

We have no choice.

We're stuck regardless

In comment 14296735 bigbluehoya said:

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In comment 14296730 Kyle in NY said: Quote: Brooks suggests keeping him. Hints at the same for Hayes. And if the best deal is a late second and an ok prospect for Zucc, I'm inclined to agree. With Hayes and Zucc though it all depends on working out a new contract. Can't lose them for nothing in free agency Link - ( New Window ) who's to say they can't have it both ways with one or both of those guys? Sit them down, have an honest talk, and ask them if they'd like to go have a 2018 cup run somewhere else. And let them know it's not a reflection of the organization's interest in their services as free agents.

Could work, but I feel like we hear about these possibilities often but it rarely works out where the UFA goes back to the team that traded him. Just feel like Zucc might be more valuable to this team moving forward than the non-descript 2nd rounder that's being proposed.

in one version he is doing too good a job
(unrelated)
Henrik and Eli, Eli and Henrik

In comment 14296882 Kyle in NY said:

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Could work, but I feel like we hear about these possibilities often but it rarely works out where the UFA goes back to the team that traded him. Just feel like Zucc might be more valuable to this team moving forward than the non-descript 2nd rounder that's being proposed.

If we're comfortable that it's time to stop the lean-in to the rebuild and try to start winning next year, I guess.

Hard to disagree with your point about a low likelihood of resigning a guy you trade at the deadline, but I feel like I've seen this at least a handful of times in hockey (whereas the only time I recall seeing it in another sport is Aroldis Chapman / NYY).

In comment 14296788 Greg from LI said:

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And generally don't have a ton of trade value.

Why *should* this be the case as to the value proposition? Talent at the lower pro and amateur levels always has risk and unknowns. And I'm not doubting that you may well be correct. In any event, there must be several teams that are thin at keeper and flush at positions where we have need.

Traded to San Francisco in his walk year and resigned with Baltimore.

Maybe pj could add something here. It's definitely a thing in the NHL, though, which is why you so rarely see goalies drafted really high. In the last ten drafts, only 7 goalies were drafted in the first round, none higher than tenth overall. The only one who's played more than a couple of games is the NHL is Malcolm Subban, who has been a bust and is a backup.

In comment 14296936 Greg from LI said:

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Maybe pj could add something here. It's definitely a thing in the NHL, though, which is why you so rarely see goalies drafted really high. In the last ten drafts, only 7 goalies were drafted in the first round, none higher than tenth overall. The only one who's played more than a couple of games is the NHL is Malcolm Subban, who has been a bust and is a backup.

interesting and revealing data point, thanks. Not to negate the essential point, but I had a lot of closeup looks at Ken Dryden (same age as I) in college. He was a unique, physical specimen for a goalie at the time, though much less so now with outsized physiques being common, covered a lot of the crease, moved very well, great glove hand. Drafted 14th overall (just looked it up). It's just odd to me that talent assessment at the position would be so much more of a crap shoot.

I love Zucc and Hayes here as much as the next guy, but if you can get a 2nd round pick and a prospect for Zucc, that isnt a terrible return. Much like the Grabner trade last year. Would I like a first? Sure, but I dont think anyone is giving that up.

In regards to Hayes, he is going to command big bucks. Play it out and the Rangers pay him, we are paying him possibly 2 years out of 5 for him to play on a rebuilding team. This team isn't truly ready to contend next year. That's 1-2 years of wasted money.

If you can net a 1st rounder for Hayes and a prospect, a 2nd rounder and a prospect for Zucc, and a 4th or 5th rounder for McQuaid, it raises your chances of picking solid players that can contribute for cheap in the next 3 years. You want to build a new core that can sustain success.

If you want to speed up the process, you use the money you would have paid to Hayes on Panarin and you roll with the Centers that are already on this team (Zibby, Chytil, Andersson, and Howden). Chytil is talented enough to possibly match or surpass Hayes' stats starting next year and you add a dynamic (and young) scorer in the process.

In comment 14296824 Anakim said:

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We're stuck regardless

. Thanks. Didn't realize he had that in his contract.

You would think he'd want to go somewhere to try to win a cup.

In comment 14296924 Greg from LI said:

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Traded to San Francisco in his walk year and resigned with Baltimore.

Chapman just did it'd with the Yankees, too

Hard to predict which teenagers can handle the pressure that comes with the job.

The AV extension is hard to justify. How could he not see the problems?

And that�s not to say that some of his moves haven�t been good. They have. But when a GM misjudges a coach that 95% of the fans wanted gone, it has to give you pause.

I guess we'll all evaluate it once he's traded, but they sure need to get top value for him if he goes. Now, what does that equate to? I top college RH defenseman and 1 and 2 picks?

and you still need a C spot for Chytil, to boot.

Want Hayes back. If he would take 5.6 million a year for 5 years and not ask for a no trade, sure, he�d probably be signed. He is probably asking for 6.3 million over 6-8 years and some sort of no trade. You just cannot do it during a rebuild for that caliber player. I think if he becomes UFA, he will be disappointed with the offers. I think he would de lucky to get offered the 5.7 million.

strength of a farm-system, but has anyone noticed how terrible the Wolfpac are? Or the fact they missed the playoffs the last 3 season?

Don't these prospects and picks get sent to the AHL to develop?

In comment 14297467 Knineteen said:

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strength of a farm-system, but has anyone noticed how terrible the Wolfpac are? Or the fact they missed the playoffs the last 3 season? Don't these prospects and picks get sent to the AHL to develop?

many NHL players never touch AHL. Especially the better prospects, or if they do, it's for a very short period of time.

In comment 14297467 Knineteen said:

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strength of a farm-system, but has anyone noticed how terrible the Wolfpac are? Or the fact they missed the playoffs the last 3 season? Don't these prospects and picks get sent to the AHL to develop?

It's absolutely a problem. to be fair I'd say 4 of the Rangers 5 best prospects entering the season are not in the AHL right now. Chytil ended up sticking in the NHL, two over in the KHL, and Miller in NCAA. But Lias is there and he's struggled. Being surrounded by such a crap team can't be helping him. The team is awful

that still remains in the organization. They completely whiffed on just about every mid round pick of late. They've gotten 5 NHL games total out of their 2014-16 drafts. Now the disclaimer is they didn't have a first rounder, it's not easy to find NHL guys beyond the first round. But it's not impossible. Look at what a team like Tampa has come up with in the middle rounds and even with undrafted guys. To not come up with anything at all useful is pretty damning and it's playing out in Hartford right now.

Lundqvist has been an all-time great, but he's not playing at that level very often these days -- sort of like having the two-time Super Bowl winning QB, Eli Manning, leading the Giants. Both are aging, not what they were, but still capable of pulling one out now and then with amazing play.

What to do, on the Rangers, that is? New goalie possible and needed, or not? If so, from where and when exactly? Weird to have this problem at the key position on both New York teams at the very same time!

he's still quite competent. And unlike the giants, we seem to have a few really good prospects in the pipeline. As for his dollar figure, we'll overcome that as we rebuild and get ris of some of our costly older guys within the next few years. A bunch of defensemen and Henrik come off in two years, right?

This is the last year of his KHL contract, and his numbers in the KHL have gone from great to ridiculous - in 26 games this year he's got a GAA of 1.19 and a sv% of .949. I imagine Georgiev follows in the footsteps of Cam Talbot and Antti Raanta and gets traded to open the backup job for Shestyorkin.

along with Shestyorkin. No room for 3 goalies (maybe not even two) with another expansion on the horizon.

In comment 14297601 yatqb said:

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he's still quite competent. And unlike the giants, we seem to have a few really good prospects in the pipeline. As for his dollar figure, we'll overcome that as we rebuild and get ris of some of our costly older guys within the next few years. A bunch of defensemen and Henrik come off in two years, right?

No, he's certainly not dead and I did not mean to imply otherwise. New, better defensemen would help the team and the King a lot. (Rangers' defense has been terrible this year -- right now only seven teams have allowed more goals than the Rangers, and at least some of that is on the King, not the other beleaguered players.)

In comment 14297617 yatqb said:

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along with Shestyorkin. No room for 3 goalies (maybe not even two) with another expansion on the horizon.

Honestly, and people can yell at me for this if they want, that's why I almost wish Henrik would retire after the year, or at least ask for a trade. Georgiev shows some real promise, and as great as Shestyorkin has been in the K no one can say for sure how he'll adapt to the NHL.

His next two years (even at the old Henrik level) won't be much help to us, while keeping Georgiev will help in the long term.

Bob McKenzie
‏Verified account @TSNBobMcKenzie

Not official but hearing the trade is Coyle to BOS in exchange for Ryan Donato and a fifth-round pick. Details to come.
6:02 PM - 20 Feb 2019

In comment 14301504 pjcas18 said:

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Bob McKenzie ‏Verified account @TSNBobMcKenzie Not official but hearing the trade is Coyle to BOS in exchange for Ryan Donato and a fifth-round pick. Details to come. 6:02 PM - 20 Feb 2019

Bruins got hosed in this trade IMO.

I like Coyle and Donato has struggled to adjust to the NHL, but he's a sniper. I'd have been patient with him since IMO Coyle is not a difference maker on that Bruins team. He's a bottom 6 winger. Not a C.

In comment 14297636 Greg from LI said:

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Honestly, and people can yell at me for this if they want, that's why I almost wish Henrik would retire after the year, or at least ask for a trade.

I'd be happy if he asked for a trade not only for Rangers, but for him. I love Henrik, and he's very likely not going to win, or even make a run, staying here. I'd be really happy to see him get a chance somewhere else. It'd be disappointing to see him go, but I assume he'd love to win a cup, and I'd like to see him get a chance.