They aren't winning jack shit with this team. I had hoped it was just the coach being a pussy. Last couple games have sold me. The vet core is old, slow, overpaid and unmotivated. Time to mail in this season, get picks and prospects and take another run next year or the year after.
They need a trade to shake up the team. With some of the contracts and clauses there’s no reason to talk about a blow up the team fantasy.
Need to upgrade from Lindgren and improve the 4th line for now. I'd look to move KK if you can get back a player to help now and a pick or something. They aren't and can't move any of the big names. Just have to hope they pull it together over the winter.
You seem to be focused on repairing the team this season, while I appreciate that, I don't think this season realistically salvageable from a true Cup contender POV. My head is in the direction of making moves that are focused on next season and beyond. If that means trading some of the vets you can move given all the clauses, for future picks/players, I do it. I fully expect Trouba to be gone after this season, if not sooner. His contract is up after next season, and he absolutely can be traded before next season as he only has a MNTC of 12 teams (a buyout will not be needed). And as Panzer has been pushing, trading Fox before his NMC kicks in next season could be smart. I would also look at trading Miller before he gets a raise after this season as a RFA with arbitration rights. And Lindgren is a UFA after the season. The D needs to be rebuilt, and they 100% have the opportunity to do it with the 4 guys I mentioned all being 100% movable. Not saying they move all 4, but at least 2, if not 3, need to be gone (I would say one of Miller or Fox should go for a good return). Then you turn your attention upfront, which may be a little more of a challenge given the clauses many of the forwards have.
I hear on that and I agree long term, but it's highly unlikely they trade Trouba, or Fox for that matter, during the season, so why not at least try and add a few things around the edges and see where this year goes? They still have 31 so anything could happen if they get in and the main guys step up. I totally agree on trading Miller but I'm not sure that even happens this season,
Drury could totally upgrade this team defensively by moving Fox, his offensive positives disappear postseason hasn't scored a postseason goal in years and his wee body is worn down from overplay by LA.V. Also needs to make a decision about Chytil who looks promising the limited time he's healthy.
Yes, but they are NOT trading Fox during the season, if they even do at all which I doubt for awhile. Dump Lindgren's salary off and trade a pick or prospect for an upgrade from him for the rest of the year. They will try and squeak one more run out of this group if they're clearly in a playoff spot and they may not be by Jan.
I think Fox actually hurts his own game a lot but his utter refusal to shoot the puck. The guy has ZERO goals this season, that says a lot. He simply will not shoot the puck, and it is a big issue. I really believe one of Miller or Fox must be off this team before next season. I think keeping both is a big mistake. Pick one, and roll. Bottom line on Fox, is if they don't trade him this coming summer, he's locked in for years, so it is now or never with moving him or not. And I fully expect Trouba and Lindgren to be off the team before next season starts, I almost think that is a lock they'll both be gone. Question is does either get moved at the trade DL this season, we'll see. As for Chytil, I really don't think there is anything they can do. He either retires and they get his cap money back, or he doesn't, and things continue in a never know if/when he'll be out for months. It puts the team in a terrible spot, not to mention the concern for Chytil's long-term health. He has no trade value given his concussion issues, so that's how I see it, it's unfortunate for everyone. At days end, I think all of this is a pipe dream though, because I don't think Drury has the balls, or smarts, to pull any of it off and reshape the core and team. That's the sad truth as I see it.
So you want to trade Kakko who is one of the few young forwards and one of the forwards who doesn't suck? Good solution.
The way you deal with Zibanejad is to scratch him every game until he accepts a trade. Very simple. If he doesn't, he will be known as a complete laughing stock around the league. Dirty tactic but it will work eventually. These deals are going to be very tricky. If Drury just dumps players for picks and not close to NHL ready prospects, the team could suck for the prime years of Shesterkin. Unless he trades him also. Not sure he's the guy to make these moves. He sucks also IMO.
Seems like the vet core other than Panarin has been told you aren't good enough, you might be traded and they are sulking instead of stepping up their sorry ass games.
This core needs to be broken up but it takes balls to do it given the contract situations. Not convinced Drury has what it takes to make it happen.
Like I wrote in June/July, the core is old and stale and needed to be broken up. And unfortunately, Drury has no balls and isn't the right guy to do it. He's in over his head, and we're F'd as a result. Tells you everything you need to know about the fat cat, overpaid, soft vets on this team that the only guy who stands up to speak is Panarin. That in itself should tell you this core needs to be broken up ASAP. I would much rather see kids like Cuylle, Berard, Schneider, Mancini, Lafreniere, Kakko etc. play then some of these soft vets. Maybe Othmann also when healthy and ready to go. The Igor situation just got even more interesting. Depending on what Drury does, do you overpay a goalie on a team that may have a bunch of younger players. I stand by my thoughts on Igor, his deal should be $11M per tops.
The worst part or one of the worst parts for arguments sake is this. This core has no showed their playoff eliminations three straight seasons. Against Tampa, NJ and Florida went out with a whimper.
How about the players just start playing better? Stop cheating for offense and leaving the defensive zone early, or 3 guys going to one player. It's a team lacking quickness, but some of the issues could be fixed with some general awareness.
Trouba, Zibanejad and Miller are the first three that should go. Fox needs to be met with by the GM and coach. His level of effort and play is not acceptable this season. I would make an effort to get him going before putting him out there. Since his injury, he has looked nothing like his old self.
Fox needs to shoot the puck more. He has too much talent to not have scored in 20 games this season, it's a joke. I guess that's what happens when you absolutely refuse to shoot.
What I find interesting about the Trouba stuff is don't you just go at some point rather than stay where you aren't wanted. Certainly, leverage your no trade list you negotiated into your contract, that is only fair, but work with Drury to make it happen. I don't think I'd want to stay where I am clearly no longer wanted. We know Drury is terrible at his job, so his communication level is low, but Trouba should have a conversation with Drury and work to get something done that works for everyone involved. “It doesn’t really matter,” Trouba said after the Rangers’ optional practice. “I’m happy to be here. I’m focused on playing hockey. Can’t really control that, I think I learned that throughout the summer. You’ve gotta kind of block all that out and focus on playing hockey with this group here and being the best we can be.” Trouba, who is in his sixth season with the team, said that he and Drury have not spoken about the report. “I think it’s part of the business,” Trouba said. “I don’t know if it’s real or not, I don’t know. My job is to play hockey and that’s what I’m focused on.”
