Since I am not sure, did Richards and Torts have a good relationship in Tampa? As I feel some guys are Torts guys and others are 100% not Torts guys.
I voted yes.
Torts gets on everyones case here and there but its Vinny that had the troubles Brad was the more consistent one of the two, just not as physically gifted, and did have the glamourous aura that Vinny had being hyped up and going 1st overall. Those two have had a bit of a sibling rivalry down in Tampa, and Torts was man of that household.
Our biggest need is a power play that can actually score. Unfortunately, that's not going to be solved by a "PP QB" or a #1 center. The powerplay has no strategy. No single player, or combination thereof, is going to fix that.
This organization's success is completely reliant upon the development of our young players. Signing Richards is an option -- assuming it's for the right price -- but lets not pretend as if all of our problems will be solved. We still lack puck movers on the blue line, our star winger is made of glass, and our depth down the middle is a couple of soon-to-be 2nd and third year forwards along with a guy who is coming off a career year.
Your window of success is minimal with Richards. You're counting on an awful lot of pieces coming into place within a 4-5 year span.
Personally, if I were Sather, I'd be burning up the phone lines seeing what players were on the trade market before hedging my bets on Richards.
This poll makes zero sense because even if the Rangers want him, where is the cap room to sign him?
1. His cap this season was $7.8 - do we have that kind of money? No
2. He is coming off 2 back-to-back seasons with over a point per game production. Thus, he can actually ask for around $7 mill again and potentially get close to that.
3. He could also stay in Dallas if they figure out the ownership issue, which is the only thing that he doesnt like there so far.
4. There are A LOT of NHL teams with a ton more cap room than us so why is he coming here? He is going to take less money and a shorter term just to play with Torts? Seriously?
I think the whole thing is a pipe dream. Richards has to know this is his last big payday. He's won a cup, so he's not desperate. There are better opportunites to win, better opportunities to make money, better opportunites for virtually everything in places other than here. To think he's going to take a deal that is both short term and less money to play here is crazy. I believe he stays in Dallas. Don't put it past that new owner in Buffalo to bust out his financial whoopin' stick come June 1st. But we have to get Cris Angel in here to mindfreak the salary cap in order to even be able to make the phone call june 1st, and I don't see how it's going to happen.
I think the whole thing is a pipe dream. Richards has to know this is his last big payday. He's won a cup, so he's not desperate. There are better opportunites to win, better opportunities to make money, better opportunites for virtually everything in places other than here. To think he's going to take a deal that is both short term and less money to play here is crazy. I believe he stays in Dallas. Don't put it past that new owner in Buffalo to bust out his financial whoopin' stick come June 1st. But we have to get Cris Angel in here to mindfreak the salary cap in order to even be able to make the phone call june 1st, and I don't see how it's going to happen.
Yup. Richards is insane if he takes anything less than a 5 year deal. Those hoping for a 3 or 4 year deal will be extremely disappointed.
No ... but Richards alone doesnt make us a contender.
I understand that. But he fills our arguably biggest need. Are you going to be able to get a center of his caliber through trade (without giving up half the team)? No.
And to all the people saying no...I don't want to hear you complaining about the lack of a #1 C for the next 2 years if we don't get him. Because if we don't get Richards, we will not have one for at least 2 years (and that's if Stepan develops into one, which is no sure thing.)
Elite #1A, proven winner, play making, center that this team needs, with Stanley Cup rings!!!
Out with Kelly Kisio Chris Drury and in with Mark Messier Brad Richards!!!!
This is a no brainer!!! Those who don't get it don't read enough history books or have forgotten theirs. Surely anyone who is in their mid 30s or older is gladly in favor of this.
With the CBA set to expire perhaps the Rangers could "roll the dice" and give him some crazy deal in the hopes that there will be some restructuring in the near future to give them relief if things don't work out.
No one really knows what the new CBA will look like. The rangers could take a risk and hope that the new deal will benefit them
I think there will be a lot of attention given to the over 35 contracts. I think there have been a lot of unforeseen consequences to the Players and NHL as a result of some of these rules.
I may be the only one who feels this way, but no. Stay the course. Develop your players. Manage your cap. Eventually you have the organizational depth to make a big time trade with a guy who really fits, not just the guy who's free.
This is the way I feel about the situation.
Honestly, I think a thread where we contemplate potential targets via trade is more constructive than rehashing the Richards debate for another 200 pages. Like nyr2k2 said, there are compelling arguments on both sides. In the end, I just don't think it gets the Rangers where they're trying to go.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hpNYR
Trades are going to be needed more than ever for us...draft day will be huge.
I think you may be right. I'm not saying a deal does or does not change the potential marriage of Richards and the Rangers, but some dramatic roster changes might change the way well all look towards the future.
I may be the only one who feels this way, but no. Stay the course. Develop your players. Manage your cap. Eventually you have the organizational depth to make a big time trade with a guy who really fits, not just the guy who's free. We can't have this many big ticket guys at one time. I'd love to see us follow a model where nobody gets paid more than Lundqvist. I think we have to lose Drury and Redden for good before we bring in another 7m$ player.
Philly never won the Stanley cup for all the guys they gave up for Eric Lindros, neither did the LA kings for what they gave up for Wayne Gretzky.
When the Rangers chose to sign Mark Messier as an UFA because they lacked that elite #1 Center and proven winner in their organization it took the team to the next level. The assets they had in reserves by not trading for him, they then used to acquire the other pieces needed to assemble the SC Championship Team.
This team already has most of the other pieces necessary.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hpNYR
I think the bigger question is will Richards and Gaborik mesh?
He doesn't have to. Richards use to play with Neil and Eriksson in Dallas. To me that translates into guys like Dubinsky and Callahan in NY and OH BABY would that be something!!!!! They could both be 30 goal scorers with an elite playmaker between them.
Gaborik on the other hand could be on the 2nd scoring line centered by Stepan who is a fine playmaker himself, we just need a capable winger for that line (Flieschman?). Provided Gaborik returns to his 2010 form and Stepan continues to improve. The line can provide the Rangers with two high powered options.
This poll makes zero sense because even if the Rangers want him, where is the cap room to sign him?
1. His cap this season was $7.8 - do we have that kind of money? No
2. He is coming off 2 back-to-back seasons with over a point per game production. Thus, he can actually ask for around $7 mill again and potentially get close to that.
3. He could also stay in Dallas if they figure out the ownership issue, which is the only thing that he doesnt like there so far.
4. There are A LOT of NHL teams with a ton more cap room than us so why is he coming here? He is going to take less money and a shorter term just to play with Torts? Seriously?
The cap room is there. We've been over it many times. If Drury chooses not to hang them up he can be bought out. Also, Wolski can be traded. Either one of those moves (along with the higher cap) lets Richards fit. Will he want to come here? We don't know for sure...but it does at least sound like we're on the short list.
If anything, you should be happy. We're killing 2 birds with one stone with Richards.
Come on, alph. You're acting like Richards solves everything and then tosses a cure for cancer into the bargain. He's a good player who will cost a ton and a half of money. I'm not as sold on Richards as Savior to be completely comfortable with the type of contract he's going to want. Am I out and out against the signing? No, of course not. But his contract will limit what this team can do. Despite the popular opinion on this board, we're not a player away from contending.
Come on, alph. You're acting like Richards solves everything and then tosses a cure for cancer into the bargain. He's a good player who will cost a ton and a half of money. I'm not as sold on Richards as Savior to be completely comfortable with the type of contract he's going to want. Am I out and out against the signing? No, of course not. But his contract will limit what this team can do. Despite the popular opinion on this board, we're not a player away from contending.
That's true, but if you swap Drury for Richards you have to admit the team is significantly better on paper, no?
Philly never won the Stanley cup for all the guys they gave up for Eric Lindros, neither did the LA kings for what they gave up for Wayne Gretzky.
When the Rangers chose to sign Mark Messier as an UFA because they lacked that elite #1 Center and proven winner in their organization it took the team to the next level. The assets they had in reserves by not trading for him, they then used to acquire the other pieces needed to assemble the SC Championship Team.
Messier was traded to the Rangers for Louie DeBrusk, Bernie Nicholls, and Steven Rice.
Elite #1A, proven winner, play making, center that this team needs, with Stanley Cup rings!!!
Out with Kelly Kisio Chris Drury and in with Mark Messier Brad Richards!!!!
This is a no brainer!!! Those who don't get it don't read enough history books or have forgotten theirs. Surely anyone who is in their mid 30s or older is gladly in favor of this.
I'm in my late 30's and I'm not. Because my recollection of Ranger History is this: Nearly every single player we've signed since true unrestricted free agency began has fallen short of what we've expected. The last guy I can recall who performed at a level higher than what we thought we'd get when we signed him was Adam Graves way back in the days when you had to give compensation back for signing a Free Agent. Other than that, who have we brought in that we haven't wished we didn't bring in by the second or third year of the deal? How many times do you have to burn yourself on the stove before you know it's hot?
When the Rangers chose to sign Mark Messier as an UFA because they lacked that elite #1 Center and proven winner in their organization it took the team to the next level. The assets they had in reserves by not trading for him, they then used to acquire the other pieces needed to assemble the SC Championship Team.
.
I'm just going to let you off the hook on this one. You're saying people don't read their history books and then you fire off this gem. You're welcome.
Philly never won the Stanley cup for all the guys they gave up for Eric Lindros, neither did the LA kings for what they gave up for Wayne Gretzky.
Those are probably not great examples.
The Hawks traded Matt Ellison and a 3rd for Patrick Sharp. I'm not going to go as far as saying Sharp delivered a Cup to Chicago, but you could argue they don't win it without him. If nothing else, it solidified a developing core with a developing player. They added that prolific UFA in Hossa when they felt their window of opportunity was open and it put them over the top.
Richards doesn't put this Ranger team over the top.
The Hawks traded Matt Ellison and a 3rd for Patrick Sharp. I'm not going to go as far as saying Sharp delivered a Cup to Chicago, but you could argue they don't win it without him. If nothing else, it solidified a developing core with a developing player. They added that prolific UFA in Hossa when they felt their window of opportunity was open and it put them over the top.
Richards doesn't put this Ranger team over the top.
True, but perhaps the additional experience of the young guys as well as a couple other key signings does in 2013 or 2014. The question is whether Richards will still have his A game 2 or 3 years from now.
