Originally Posted by bernmeister
Assuming everybody waives their NMCs:
To Ducks
Brad Richards + Stepan
To Hawks
Getzlaf, Boyle
To Rangers
Sharp, Perry, Olsen, Saad, McNeil, Kruger
Rationale:
Ducks get a great 1a C similar to Getzlaf minus some of the offensive upside, who is locked in for several years. Not cheap, but less than anticipated increase Getz will demand. No hard evidence, but Getzlaf seems more highly regarded than Perry; so while not completely indifferent to give him away for nothing, moving Perry and getting Stepan, a solid 2c with upside for their top line W.
Hawks get complete overhaul at C, adding Getzlaf and Boyle to Toewz and Bolland. Because Rangers are gutting their Cs to accommodate, and Hawks wind up with Getzlaf, Rangers are entitled to overpayment.
the revised projected 3 lines were:
-Toews-Kane
-Getzlaf-Hossa
Shaw-Bolland-Stalberg
with Boyle in the mix, so another W will be needed, but Chicago can handle that.
The Rangers appear screwed at C, but live with Sharp as their 1c, and gamble on speedy JT Miller to replace Stepan with speedy wingmates Hagelin and Callahan. Faceoff guy Halperin is the 4c, so assuming signee Michael Haley is not the one, that leaves limited choices. You have Yogan, who is pressing and may be ready end of this year or early next. You have Kruger who is close, but probably not ready this year; or, as a stopgap, you can entertain Kreider, who has been being groomed as a W, but played C before going pro, at C. McNeil is also very close, but I understand he is W, less a possibility at C, though I'm not sure. Rupp has also been serviceable 4th line C.
The ONLY reason Rangers should even think about this is that they get enough overcompensation in other areas to make worthwhile gutting the C. So consider:
Nash Sharp Perry
Kreider Miller Gaborik
Hagelin Yogan Pyatt
Saad Halpern Asham/Rupp
If Saad is for real, right now, assuming he can't flop to RW, he makes the squad, and Rupp is trade bait [though if Yogan falters, Rupp could be 3c stopgap]. That still leaves:
Olsen -- makes the squad as #5 (third pair left) D, with upside to advance if bigger name is traded;
McNeil and Kruger valued assets who are really close
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It's a gamble
It's a reduction, but could be acceptable for Ducks.
It's a lot for Chicago to pay, but they get their man now without waiting for him to become UFA and take risk don't get him; it is a big risk assuming he does sign.
It's a risk for Rangers, though they move a big contract (just in case in a few years oh, say, Malkin might want to stretch his legs and leave Pitt.). There is zero established depth at C, but there is quality long term at the position.
Thoughts.....
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