The idea of the Rangers going after Joe Thornton

Fluto Shinzawa writes that Joe Thornton might waive his no-move clause to play with his good friend Rick Nash. (Boston Globe)

He writes, “They would be an overwhelming duo. They both excel at lugging the puck down low. Thornton’s vision and quick mitts could help turn Nash’s chances into goals.” (Boston Globe)

Bruce Garrioch writes that if the Rangers do buy out Brad Richards they intend to make a play for Thornton. (Ottawa Sun)

Nash and Thornton have played in Switzerland together during the lockouts.

It isn’t known what it would cost to land Thornton but it’s liekly to include “futures” and the Rangers don’t have first round picks the next two seasons. (Boston Globe)

Rangers assistant GM Jeff Gorton was with the Bruins for most of Thornton’s career in Boston including when Thornton was traded to San Jose.

Thornton has a no-move clause and a new contract for three seasons with a cap hit of $6.75 million. (Cap Geek)

 

These are good things to read. Tells me Richards is gone for sure, which we all know anyway, AND that we understand we need a big # 1 C to round out the team.

I think we could add one of these guys, Spezza, Thornton, Kesler. The only thing I can see holding us back is not enough assets. If we can make a match I think we can add a top C. We know we need it to have a legit # 1 line, and replace Richards. Plus all these guys have size.

I would deal whatever I had to outside of our core to get one of these guys. Miller, McIlrath, picks, do what we need to do.

We need to hit these next 3 seasons real hard as our window closes after that with Hank 35 and MSL retired.

 

I like the idea of Thronton much better than Kesler, he has the size and grit the Rangers are sorely lacking. Frankly I don't see the infatuation with Kesler, he hasn't had decent offensive production in last 2 full seasons and lacks the size the Rangers need. If the Rangers were to trade for him they would hardly need to give up the farm, he's minimally better than Derek Stepan with a higher cap hit, I wouldn't give the Canucks any more than a few prospects. I know Stepan has been the bane of many on this board but he's 6 years younger than Kesler and putting up better numbers. Pass on Kesler, go for Thornton.

 

I have to agree Chuck. Whatever the cost a big #1 center needs to be brought in and hopefully a top 4 D as well. Once the decision was made to resign Girardi and move the 1st round picks for MSL (a great deal I'm not knocking it) we were all in. There is no going back now and trying to keep some youth or build the farm up. Anyone who isn't Kreider, Stepan, Hagelin can go. Miller, Fast, Mcilrath, more picks. Anything really, it can all go. The problem may be the few young prospects and picks we have left may not be enough to land a Thornton or a Spezza.

 

Thornton's contract would also be much better for us than taking on Stasny. 3 years at 6.75 is perfect, considering winning a Stasny auction would probably cost at least 7m for 6 years.

 

I agree Prod. Stastny is going to be in the 7's for 6 years IMO...pass on that. Thornton's deal is very good for the team IMO. And he is huge. Great fit here.

Spezza only has one year left, so that is the issue with him.
Kesler also has a great deal. Two more years at only 5 mill per cap hit wise, that is awesome. He is 30, but is also 6'2" and 200 lbs. So he has size.

I like Thornton the most out of these guys, but we'll see if we have a match.

I think we must do whatever we can to add 1 of these 3 guys. We need a true # 1 C I think.

 

What has Thornton ever done in his playoffs career? I think I would rather have Kessler. At least he's been in the Finals once. If you do go after Thornton, no way they should give up more than a draft pick and marginal prospect for him.

 

The issue is I don't think we can get Spezza. I bet the Sens want a lot of good youth, plus they rather deal him West. It also concerns me that he has one year left on his deal. I have no issue with Spezza at all and would love to get him, just think it would be hard for us to get him.

Kesler I would have no issue with either, especially considering his awesome contract the next two seasons at 5 mill per. Plus I bet his cost is a little less in a trade. A 1/2 C punch of Kesler and Stepan would be sweet. No doubt there.

To me the bottom line is I would be happy if we added any 1 of the 3 guys, so just get 1 and I will be okay. Need that true # 1 C.

 

I just think Thornton would be the cheapest out of the 3. We aren't exactly loaded with trade assets right now. The guy is going to have to want to come here for it to work. We won't win a bidding war. That's why I think Spezza is out for us.

Will be interesting to see Kesler's views on NY now.

 

I am with you on Spezza Prod. I don't see us as a good match for what the Sens want and will be looking to do. I see him going West. Could be wrong on that though. Guess we'll find out.

 

Would you do a three way trade involving carolina forspezza and staal

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I would do a three way trade. Carolina would probably have to include Skinner going to the Sens. Not sure if they do that.

 

I would deal Stepan/Mcilrath/Fast and bump up Brassard and sign Bolland with the difference. Stepan is expendable imo as Brassard is just as good. You'd also get to keep Miller.

 

I would rather keep Stepan over bumping up Brass. IMO, you bump down Step and keep Brass as your third line guy.

 

I think if theyre bringing back Pouliot then thats really the 2nd line productivity wise so Brassard is there by default, so the question would be how would Bolland fit with Hagelin/MSL who are quicker. Cant be any slower than Richards or Stepan i guess.

 

Joe has crazy numbers. Shit ton of assists but how much of that is Marleau, Couture, Pavelski, and Burns.

 

I don't think its a given we are resigning Brassard. I think he is a UFA, can anyone confirm UFA vs RFA? If he is UFA he will could get some decent offers from other teams

I agree we need to get 1 of the 3 centers of Spezza, Thornton and Kesler. I always figured Statsny was getting ridiculous money.

In terms of who I want not in terms of what they would cost I would rank them 1) Spezza 2) Kesler 3) Thornton

Spezza is a good playoff guy is very skilled, good on face offs and is still only 31.

Kesler I am a big fan of even though his production as fallen off lately. But he scored 40 goals without playing with the twins a couple of years ago and has a mean streak.

Thornton I am not a big fan of. He has size and he gets points but his playoff numbers are lower and he is 1 in done in playoffs in 7 of 14 seasons. Its not all his fault but his teams have just never gotten it done in the post season. He will also be 35. I would not be opposed to getting him if the price is right but I doubt it will be as they are not going to just give him away and the other 2 centers are a better fit IMO

I don't want to trade Stepan. I know we need to give to get and I know Stepan playoff numbers have been disappointing but he is 23 and I want to build around him if possible

 

Brassard is RFA. We have to bring him back. That third line was the best line all year.

I hate the idea of Thorton here. Another player who has not done anything in the playoffs on such team as SJ and he is 35. Why? This is beyond stupid. If anything just overpay for Statsny, at least he is young. We will be here again next season complaining about Nash and Thorton.

 

Just looked deeper, and Brassard is a RFA, so I would think that means he is back even if it is for one more season since they couldn't agree long term.

That's a plus for next year.