I don't understand why we did not sign E.Stall for 3.5M per year for 3 years? This would have allowed us to trade Stepan and have Stall for half the price as a top 2 center. At the very least they could have traded useless Hayes who's cap hit was 3.9M for the past 2 years. I don't get it.
Geeze man, you've been watching the game long enough to know their last name is "Staal", unless there is an autocorrect issue going on
Okay, Strud, how about answering my original post. There is a potential 6M of saving. 3 for getting rid of Hayes and 3 downgrading to Staal as a 1st line center who is well qualified to be a 1st line center. That give us 3 years to find replacement for Staal. What are they doing?
Staal has been on the decline for some reason year after year. They probably see more potential in Hayes. Hayes will only get about 2-2.5 mil coming off a bad year..Plus, Staal was the3rd line center here, he said one of the main reasons why he signed with MIN was "ice time" - I think it was TSN that quoted him. He was not going to get first line minutes here... But I would have liked to see him back but it wasn't worth it for the rangers on price and term
I said in another thread that was a fair deal for Staal. There has been several reports that the Rangers had deals in place, including one with Stepan, but FA didnt shake out the way they were hoping and they decided to hold off. Very possible Staal was a contingency plan that ended up not being needed. He wasnt going to sign here to play 3rd line minutes again as Struds said. Also, Hayes' hit past two years was 900k. His performance bonuses dont hit the cap unless they exceed a certain number.
What did Eric do in his short stint here that would make you want him back? You can't pay a player based on what he's done in the past, a contract has to be based on expected return. That's why the Rangers have 2 cap killing contracts on defense. Glen gave Eric's brother and Girardi contracts based on what they did for the team instead of what they could do in the future.
Because Eric Staal fucking sucks now. He's slow and is a 30 point player. If you think he would replace the offense of Stepan, you're on smoke. Girgensons is a guy I think can develop into a 2 way, 60 point center.