Prospect update. Is a star being born in our system?

The good news here is that he is reporting on an ATO, meaning his entry level contract won't kick in until next year and we don't burn a year of his contract. It also leaves the last contract slot for this year still open, and we're reported to be one of the finalists for BU goalie Matt O'Connor. If we can get him, that would be our replacement backup when Talbot is inevitably traded.

Good job logistically by the front office, for once.

 

Makes sense. I just hope they land him.

 

The ATO means that he in not eligible for us in the playoffs though if someone goes down.

Still agree that the ATO is the way to go though with the projected cap for next year being pretty much the same, we are going to need some ELC's.....

 

I doubt the Boston goalie would be the backup. I think Skapski would backup and Thomas would be in the AHL. There is a big difference from college and the AHL. The AHL is a lot more challenging. I believe Talbot will be traded I don't agree his value is a third. That is absurd. He's definitely worth a second and a solid prospect. My guess if they trade Talbot it will be for an NHL ready, right handed defenseman or a center who can win faceoffs. Stepan has to be moved to wing. He just can't take draws. He sucks so bad it's a problem.

 

My thinking was that they'd want Skapski to see regular playing time in Hartford next year, as he's only 20 years old. Not sure it would be the best for his development to become an NHL backup at such a young age. O'Connor is two full years older, and rumor is a few teams have already promised him an NHL roster spot. We'll see what happens.

 

This is true. Makes the Summers acquisition look that much smarter, as he's probably the guy who would get the call and looked decent the other night.

 

I don't see the reason to add O'Connor. Halverson and Shesterkin had monster years. Skapski had a great year in the AHL. Don't need to sign a goalie.

 

Walcott's team is on the verge of being upset in the first round. Can't wait for this kid to get his AHL career going. I have no idea what Sather's plan is with the defense going forward. AV likes 3 righties, 3 lefties on defense. I don't see how this is going to work long term if McIlrath isn't in the plans or a deal is made. He can't deal guys without their approval because the jackass keeps giving out NTC and NMC clauses.

Skjei, Walcott and Graves are all lefties. McIlrath is the only right handed defenseman. You can't keep McIlrath in the minors for another year. It's pointless and you will start screwing up his development. I can't believe he gave Boyle a full NMC. Idiot. Giradi had a full NMC the first three years and a limited NTC the next. Sather is out of control with these NTC and NMC's.

 

I wouldn't concern myself with Boyle, he only has 1 year left, so not a huge issue.

Staal and Girardi are different, but to get a lesser cap hit he had to give them NMC's. Is what it is. A lot of teams are doing this now.

 

The Girardi clause was really dumb.

 

I really don't get why we keep harping on the NTC clause thing. It's what's market these days. Being the only team in the league with a self-imposed restriction on NTCs isn't exactly the way to remain competitive in a salary cap era. You want bargain deals, you have to give the player some security.

 

These are not bargain deals. The Rangers shouldn't ever have to give those clauses out. They are a first class organization. They treat their players like royalty. Every player who plays here says that all the time. Staal was overpaid. Staal had major injuries in his career. Girardi got market value. Brassard was badly overpaid for a guy that never had 50 points. Boyle was overpaid for a guy that looked washed up in San Jose. The fact other teams offered more shows just how many dumb teams are out there and have no defenseman. There was no reason for the Rangers to bring Boyle in.

 

I think you are off on some of your values dump. NO DOUBT Staal and Girardi get bigger deals as UFA's...NO DOUBT. And Brassard for 5 mill per long term will be a steal. That was a great deal by Sather.

As for Boyle, they were thinking he could be the answer to the PP issues, which clearly he has not been. BUT while he is making too much money at 4.5 per for two seasons, he is now maybe the best 6th dman in the NHL, so it isn't a huge issue for one more season IMO.

What I find interesting is you always say we all undervalue Ranger players, and now you are doing exactly that. Staal and Girardi 100% get more money on the open market. Go look at the deal Orpik signed last summer for proof of that.

 

After next year Skjei will be ready to take over Boyles spot, but he was needed for 2y and no more to try and give the pp a boost. Results have been mixed and thankfully they got Yandle too for at least one more year. He's the one they need to lock up for 5-6 more years.

 

Skjei is a left handed defenseman so in AV's system, he will not take Boyle's spot who is a right handed defenseman. Brassard's deal was not a steal Chuck. They paid the guy 5 freakin million dollars a year which is a ton for a guy who never has had 50 points. The NMC and NTC's are moronic. They box prospects out. If the Rangers had a lot of those at the forward spot, Fast, Miller and Hayes would have had no spots open for them. I'm pretty sure they could trade Yandle for a boat this off-season if they choose to do that. Especially with the Yotes picking up half his contract. I would think they could deal him and get back a late first in this years draft plus a good prospect. Let's face it. If they don't go far in the playoffs and the PP sucks, I don't see the point of keeping him when they will lose him after next year.

 

They aren't locking up Yandle for 5-6 years 71. They drafted Skjei in the first round for a reason. So he could make the team on the left side and give them a talented, young, cheap defenseman for years. Plus with the play for Walcott and Graves on the left side, I don't see them, making any effort to sign Yandle. Cup or no cup. I expect the Rangers to make more deals after the season than any time in the last 15 years. The team needs to work the cap and some popular players have to be moved.

 

If they don't lock up Yandle or at least bring in back someone like Duke back and first rounder if they decide to move Yandle next year, then the Yandle trade was moronic. If they win the cup this season then the trade would not look so bad.

 

Firstly Dump, they didn't trade for Yandle just to deal him, they want at least two playoffs with him. Plus they won't get a ton for onr year of him even if they did since he'd be a UFA. Secondly he's not even 30 and is exactly the type of dman they've been looking for, that's why they gave up a fair amount. You can bet unless he's a total dud which isn't happening they will try and extend him if possible. I like Skjei and he could be very good in a few years but they are going for it in the next 3-4 years so keeping an experienced offensive threat in Yandle is a must imo. Are you really going to rely on 22 yo Brady Skjei to play the pp right off the bat like an AS quality Yandle can? Heck McDonagh isn't even on that level. He gives them what weve been wanting for 20y since they moronically traded Zubov.

 

71, you act like there is no cap. You have lost your mind if you think they can offer Yandle 5.5 to 6 million when they have to sign Stepan and Hagelin then have Kreider coming up for a new contract. Not to mention what to do with St. Louis. If the Rangers lay an egg in the playoffs, you are on smoke to think that Yandle won't be on the trade market when he was a 2 year rental for them. Yes, they will get a ton for him if they deal him in the off-season because his new team will get a full year from him and all year to work out a contract.

 

Reality is that you have no objectivity with Yandle. You have been drooling for him for years. They aren't signing him. Period. Unless he pulls off a miracle and finds a way to trade Staal or Girardi with the stupid clauses he gave them. Forget it. It's not even a realistic possibility. Plus, the system is stacked with left handed defenseman. Of which two in Walcott and Graves are showing a ton of PP promise.