Yup, the Rangers have nobody they’re trading him for. They’re not taking bloated veteran salaries for him. They’re not taking lesser younger players for him just because you clump a few of them together.
It would take Perreault, Lafreniere and a 1st at least, plus probably something else like Garand. Pass.
The time to get him was last off season. That ship has sailed. Unfortunately we need a top GM to rebuild this. Drury probably isn’t it.
Short of getting Brady T, which I doubt can happen, here is what I would do: Trade Kreider and K. Miller Move Schneider to LD on the 2nd pair Add a legit top-level LD to pair with Fox on the 1st pair Add a very good top 6 wing In the Kreider/K. Miller deal get back a legit tough to play against gritty 3rd line player You do that, along with giving Othmann and maybe Perreault chances next season, and you have a very good team. Let's be clear, everything/everyone is on the table, I am just putting out there what seems reasonable right now. If you have to deal Lafreniere/Panarin/Othmann/whomever you do it of course. I am also a big believer that one of K. Miller or Schneider should go. It does not make good sense to have Schneider on the 3rd pair going forward, he deserves a top 4 shot.
Trocheck should be a third line center. He also shouldn’t be on the PP1 unit. He gets too much icetime for what he is. They need to get at least a legit second line center. Let Miller center the first line. You have to move Zibanadouche out here. I think that’s the key.
I think Zibanejad is maybe the toughest to move when you combine his full NMC, an $8.5M cap hit, and 5 long years remaining on his deal after this season. I would love to move him, but I am trying to stay grounded on what is really possible, and Zibanejad may be the one player on the team that is almost untradeable. Best bet with him may be to hope he rededicates himself this summer and comes back in great shape ready to go next season. I also think him and Fox have the same disease and it majorly hurts their games, they both refuse to shoot, and it makes them much easier to defend, no shot threat at all. It must change for both of them, and it's on the coach to pound it into their heads. That's why I mention Kreider and K. Miller (or Schneider if you cannot trade Miller/Schneider's trade value is much higher). I feel very strongly one of Schneider or K. Miller must go (assuming no shot they trade Fox). I'll also tell you this, if the Rangers keep their 1st round pick this season, and it's in the 11-13 range, I trade it before the draft to ensure you have a big-time team next season. The absolute worst thing that can happen is they keep their 1st rounder this season, say # 12 for arguments sake, and then Drury half ass*s it and we suck next season and end up with a top 5-7 pick let's say, then the Pens get our 1st rounder next season. That would be a disaster. It's why I also feel very strongly, if we keep our 1st this season Drury has to be even more aggressive this summer to build a winner for next season. Once again, it is ALL on Drury to be bold, aggressive, and take some smart risks to make impactful moves. Is he up to the task...we'll see.
It would be great to have Trocheck as your third line center, but getting a second line center will not be easy.
In theory, Trocheck should be your # 3 C, Miller and Zibanejad should be the top two C's. If you add a proven top 6 wing this summer, you can have a 3rd line anchored by Trocheck and Cuylle. Panarin, Zibanejad, Miller, Lafreniere, Othmann, top 6 wing added could be your top two lines. Trocheck, Cuylle, guy added in trade for Kreider and K. Miller or Schneider could be your 3rd line. Rempe, Edstrom, Berard, Carrick, Brod could be your 4th line mix. That is a nice set of lines. On D you add a top LD to pair with Fox. Schneider or Miller with Borgen is your 2nd pair. Vaak/Soucy is your 3rd pair. Solid D pairs. With the right moves this summer, the Rangers can be very good again next season I believe.
I agree with Dump about bringing in a whip cracker or at least a defensive minded coach. For all the Drury hate Chris does seem to know what he's doing when it comes to drafting and he's brought the Rangers into the 21st century by drafting guys with size.
Bringing in a tough defensive minded coach, who holds players accountable is the right move, I agree. I doubt it will be Torts, but someone like him who is maybe a little less abrasive would be a good hire.
The top lines drop in scoring from the President's Cup to this year is beyond disconcerting - CK (-51), Panarin (-41), Trocheck (-26), Mika (-21), Fox (-17), Laf (-14).
https://denverpioneers.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/roster/coaches/david-carle/200 Here is a young coach the rangers should consider when they throw Lav out the window. Very successful and runs a disciplined and defensive system!
That Denver team is very well coached. However, he's coaching kids. Big difference coaching men. Usually, I would like to see a college guy in the AHL first.
