If the Rangers can get their young guys to take a big step up and fill out the bottom of the lineup with non pussy players, they can finally start making a push. The Islanders window will be closed sooner than laster. Baily 31, Cizikis 30, Lee 30, Nelson 29, Pageau 28, Martin 32, Clutterfuck 33, Eberle 31, Komarov 34, Leddy 30. Varlamov 34 Most of their D is in their prime now.
They may even lose Cizikas to FA. Sorokin looks like as advertised and will probably supplant Varlamov in starts, but it's a solid tandem. Guess they're hoping Bellows/Wahlstrom help their cap with cheap production. It'll be interesting to see if they re-sign Palmieri with their limited cap space.
If I'm correct, they will have 3.5 million in cap space next year. Pelech is a RFA. You're looking at 7.5 million at least for him. Beauvillier is a RFA. I would think you are looking at 5.5 for him. Cizikas is a UFA. He might take the same salary to come back but this is probably his last contract. I would think some team out there will give him a 5 year deal worth 20 million because he wins faceoffs and can be a top 4th line center. I guess they will buy out Boychuk. Maybe Komarov also.
Biggest problem they will have is the expansion draft. They are going to lose a valuable forward or defenseman unless they offer both their seconds to tell the other team who to take and I don't see Seattle doing that. Their entire 4th line will be exposed. On defense they could lose one of their top 4. I would guess that Seattle would take that dirty bastard Mayfield. He would have value to keep for them or move at the deadline.
Yeah, that's a good point on the expansion draft and them. They will be affected maybe more than any team with that, losing an Eberle or Bailey type. Ladd is a bit of a paperweight for them now as well.
Just knowing what kind of player Drury was, I don't see him being a fan of Buchnevich, Kravtsov or Howden. I think Richards is going to be a huge favorite of Druy, Gallant and the fans almost immediately next season. I loved what I saw of him in his one game. Speed, shoot first mentality. Top notch defensively and he's supposed to be a great faceoff guy. Heard Tkachuk is a pain in the ass in Calgary. I'll gladly put up with his antics on this team which I don't think will last long with Gallant as coach. He's a tough bastard and is highly skilled. He'll fit perfectly on this team and he would relish playing a team like the Islanders or Boston. We absolutely have what it takes to get him. Might take you Buchnevich and Lundkvist to get him but so be it. Get Lucic back, half retained. I think Schneider can easily play in the NHL right now. Go get Dovorak. If it takes Jones, Kravtsov and Strome. So be it. I have no issue doing that either. These are not hard trades to make. Just need a GM with balls to make them. I like Gauthier if he can develop a mean streak. If not, probably somebody else on that line. Panarin-Dvorak-Lafreniere Tkachuk-Zibanejad-Kakko Kreider-Chytil-Gauthier Barron-Richards-Lucic Fox-Lindgren Miller-Trouba Hajek-Schneider
One thing for sure next year is teams are going to goon it up for regular season games against the Fishstix, that can have a wearing effect. Chickencluck's name is on a lot of payback lists. Drury needs to add a few of those guys that play over the edge himself just to protect his greatest assets - what an effin joke. On the bright side with their youth most of the Rangers have an idea what they need to be prepared for . I liked everything Gallant said at his press conference with Drury - looking forward to a great season!
