On Boyle: Boyle is going to look for a bigger role when he hits free agency. AV told him today he'd continue in current role next year here. (Gross) AV on Brian Boyle: "If he's satisfied with that role, we definitely want him back." (Gross). Discouraging to read this. I was firmly on the Boyle train this year, as AV had really been playing him in what I think is his proper role. I remember a bit earlier this year that said Boyle had approached the brass about an extension but was put off until the offseason. If Boyle wants to get paid and see more offensive minutes, that won't happen here. Question will be whether he'd rather go to a young team like BUF looking for size and get paid to lose, or stick around here. Guess we'll see. Can't see a contender giving him an expanded role. On Klein/Stralman: Vigneault was asked whether he can envision Kevin Klein in a top four D-man role: "He did that in Nashville." (Gross) Anton Stralman says he wants to return to Rangers but cites security for his family as No. 1 priority in new deal. Rangers may not have $$$$. (Gross) Not new that Stralman seems to be headed out the door. He'll be getting a big raise from his 1.7m and I can't see us giving it to him. But the thought of Klein getting top 4 dman minutes is interesting. Not sure I'd agree with that. Richards' money will be washed out for a new C. After we resign all our RFAs and UFAs, we'll probably have money for 1 big time FA. I thought it would be dman, maybe Niskanen. But if the brain trust thinks Klein can play top 4 minutes, maybe that money goes to a Moulson or Vrbata instead to get more scoring on the wing (probably in place of Pouliot.) Question is whether we'd be comfortable with that defense, especially after what we saw in the finals. Because if Klein is top 4, I think it'll be McIlrath or Allen on the 3rd pair. I'd be more open to trading Klein for a pick and some cap space, signing a reliable Niskanen type to go with Staal, and then letting McIlrath and Allen battle for 3rd pairing next to Moore. Thoughts?
Klein could handle being a #4, you won't get much offensively but defensively he's right there with McDonagh. If Staal can get back to adding some offense that's a solid 2nd pair. Sounds like Pitt will probably keep Niskanen though he'd be a nice addition replacing Stralman. Allen could be close to ready and we'll see with McIlrath. Hainsey could be another cheap 5/6 type.
Reports out there that Jeff Beukaboom was asked when he expected McIlreith to be a part of the rangers he answered next season. Hmmmmmmmmmm.
I have a new appreciation for Brian Boyle after the playoffs the last 3 years but the reality is if he can get paid somewhere he will probably go and probably should. Strahlman had a really good playoff, he will get really good offers, he is definitely gone IMO. Klein can be a #4. Connor Allen and Moore as the 5/6?
Did you guys see Girardi played with broken finger? Kinda explains all the turnovers. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Al, I doubt we're trading Klein too. Just makes me a little nervous going into next year with Klein as a top 4 along and an unknown Allen or McIlrath in the 3rd pair. Spotty d-play was one of the biggest problems in the Cup Final, and I think the d-core I just mentioned will be a weakness. I also doubt Niskanen will be feasible. Did some reading after work and he seems to be the top target in the FA class for dmen. Analysts starting him at 5.5m per...we can't go there. If Boyle wants to get paid, he will. Seems to be a Prust situation with him, and can't knock that. Gross also tweeted that Dom Moore wanted to come back, so 4th line won't need a TOTAL overhaul.
Our third period shells also has a lot to do with the lack of sleep at center ice. When other teams yake the boards away it means the center has to come back to receive the outlet pass and lack of a quick first gear gives plenty of time to get swamped Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk
Klein is nowhere near McDonagh talent-wise defensively, Ryan is emerging as a top dman in the NHL. Klein also has zero offensive skill on a team that needs more offensive contribution from their defensemen. Klein's making $2.9 mil next year, he's worth a third of that. Replacing his salary with Allen or McIlrath gives the Ranfers $2 mil of cap space. If Glen can make a deal he should do it in a heartbeat. Boyle has been a good 4th liner/special teams guy so if a team wants to overpay for that there's not much Glen can do, good luck to him. Stralman's refusal to agree to 3 years/$9 mil indicates he's be gone as well.
As much as we hate to lose players we've grown attached to change is the name of the game in all sports. In the rangers case they need to get bigger stronger and faster at center on D and overall. I expect McIlreith to be up here this year as beukaboom is telling people he is ready. Girardi had a dislocated pinkie which explains some of his passing fiascos but if his legs are fine he has become slow as shit as everyone seemed to be skating around him.
Chicago, LA, Boston. These are your cup winners the past few seasons. All big, deep, and skilled. We have skill. We are deep now. We need size. That is what we lack, and a better C than Richards as our 3rd guy with Brassard and Stepan. That is why to me I have said from the start we need to add a big physical dman to the top 4. I really think that is the biggest need (I am working under the assumption we will get a better C to replace Richards). Add that big physical dman, and a winger with some size and I think we are there.
Don't really want to lose Boyle or Stralman, but for what they want I have no problem saying goodbye. Both were great playoff performers and you need guys like that to win it all, but if Boyle wants and thinks he deserves a bigger role, he should have shown that during the year. I'm sure if he came back with a reasonable raise and played like a top 9, his role would increase. If another team wants to give him 3.5 per and be a top 9, good luck to them. Stralman was big in the playoffs but where was he during the year? I remember around Feb. or March I wanted him just cut because he was so awful I couldn't watch him anymore. Did he find something in the playoffs? Maybe. Will he revert back to what he was? Maybe. Not worth the risk of 4-5 mil.
With everything coming out of Winnipeg being everyones up for a possible move.... Wheeler, Blake » Y 14-15 $5,600,000 Y 15-16 $5,600,000 Y 16-17 $5,600,000 Y17-18 $5,600,000 Y 18-19 $5,600,000 UFA Kane, Evander » $5,250,000 $5,250,000 $5,250,000 $5,250,000 UFA Byfuglien, Dustin » $5,200,000 $5,200,000 I would explore a move for Byfuglien he would be great for point shots and is a huge down low force. As well as Wheeler who is a big body with decent hands, im not too keen on Kane as he's a moody player.
We need more scoring depth. Our highest scoring forward had 15pts in 24gms. That's not enough. The Kings had 4 players with 20+ pts and a 5th (Doughty) with 18. THAT is good depth right there. We will not be able to be that deep in 1 single offseason, but we desperately need a 1st line C, another crease-clearing D (McIlrath, i hope) and another scoring D to compliment McD. I'd also like to see someone like Bolland as the 3rd C and D. Moore as the 4th C. So down the middle we'd be Addition-Stepan-Addition-Moore. Not a Brassard guy. Not good enough to be top 2C but not physical enough to be 3C. Move him.
If WPG is blowing it up, why not make a run at Andrew Ladd. Big body who lays a ton of hits and will also score 25. Two more years left at 4.4m. I'd see him as an upgrade to Pouliot and would address the size and depth scoring problems. Only problem is if we're trading for a top C, not sure we'd have the assets to make this deal too.
