Not a cent more. I've said it from the minute he signed. O'Reilly will have nothing to do with this contract and Brooks once again made himself look like a moron today in his article. Gorton is not going to let that dumb contract mean anything in this negotiation. I would offer Stepan, 5 years, 30 million. I would not give him a NTC or NMC. That's the deal. Take it or I'm trading you. He'll take it. His father was drafted by the Rangers and is a pretty smart guy. I would guess Stepan in the end would listen to him rather than his agent. Agent's just care about one thing. Money. They aren't going to pay him over 6. That would make things more difficult down the road signing Hayes. I can barely find a deal that makes sense or is doable for Stepan. Only thing I could think of was Helm, Mantha and a 2016 1st for Stepan. Helm could take the third line center spot. Let Mantha play one more year in the AHL. Then have Mantha take the third center spot next year and Helm the 4th line spot. Basically, you are pretty much writing this year off if you do that. Last time Stepan decided to be a jackass with his contract, it ruined a lot of his season. I hope he learned his lesson.
I have always felt Stepan would end up with an AAV of 6 mill +/- on his new deal. Hopefully that is the case. I still believe that will be the case because Step wants to be a Ranger, and signing long term for 6 mill per +/- is a very good deal for all involved. But if he wants 7, or close to it, or more than 7 I think the Rangers need to move him. We cannot afford that much and still build a full team that can compete for the cup. Still time left, but I am concerned about this team. As other teams in the division improve the Rangers get a little worse, or best case stay the same. Right now you'd be hard pressed to say the Rangers are the best team in the East or the best team in the Met. We have work to do IMO...hopefully we can get something done.
If Rangers trade Yandle, they can still clearly go for it this year. If they trade Stepan, they basically are doing a one year rebuild.
I still think a dman gets dealt, most likely Klein IMO. Could be Yandle if they don't feel they can sign him/don't want to resign him. But I just don't see how we stick with all these dmen when we need a forward and have too many dmen if you want McIlrath to play. Something has to give.
Predict that I underestimated how much of an asshole Stepan is. I should have learned my lesson from dickhead Callahan. Nice knowing you Stepan. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
Not surprised at all. He is basically doing what every player does. Also players rarely if ever take less regardless of team dynamics and threat of trades. I expect this to end ugly for some reason Feel free to include Lou's ridiculous Zajac contract of $5.7m x 8 years for a player not even close to being as good as Stepan as more ammo to the arbitrator
not sure why he is considered an asshole since its in his rights to try and earn as much as he can when he can
Hope Gorton will deal him quickly if the right deal is out there. Much like Cally, I have no interest paying this assclown what he's asking for.
until we see a figure from his camp i don't think we can say "we're not going to pay him what he's asking for", so Dump either knows something we don't know, or he's making assumptions
I'm just assuming Gorton offered 6 which would make sense as far as being in line with their cap and compared to what Brassard got. Stepan is younger with some more upside. I'm assuming since it went to arby that they weren't close. If they were close, I don't think it would go there. So, I have to figure he wants at least 6.5 for 6 years. I would not rule out 7. Look at Cally. That dumbass wanted 6.5 or 7. I can't believe they offered him 6 from reports. I wouldn't have offered him more than 5.
Being Tampa is so completely screwed with the cap the next 2 years, I would not be surprised to see Tampa offer their first and Callahan paying 1/2 his salary back to the Rangers in a total salary dump for a mediocre prospect. They are already regretting that stupid contract. He was useless in the playoffs for them.
