Rachunek is more valuable than Vasicek.The Rangers have Rachunek's rights until 2008 while Vasicek can walk away this summer.Besides Vasicek isn't any upgrade
Vasicek isn't an upgrade to Betts and Krog? C'mon. If Rachunek is so valuable, perhaps he could bring back a better center. I doubt it.
If Keith Tkachuk accepts a trade prior to the deadline don’t expect him to land in an Eastern conference city. There are plenty of teams in the West that could use a player of Tkachuk’s caliber. He can play wing or center on any number one line in the conference
Vasicek isn't an upgrade to Betts and Krog? C'mon. If Rachunek is so valuable, perhaps he could bring back a better center. I doubt it.
When has Vasicek ever been a #2 center in his career?The Rangers can't keep acquiring players and expect them to fulfill a role they have either never fulfilled before or not capable of fulfilling
When has Vasicek ever been a #2 center in his career?The Rangers can't keep acquiring players and expect them to fulfill a role they have either never fulfilled before or not capable of fulfilling
I don't think it's a question of bringing him in and expecting him to center the second line. The question is if it's worth bringing him in, based on his potential, at the expense of a Rachunek (who may be gone at the end of the season.) If you think Baranka or Girardi can do what Rachnek does then I think the answer is yes, if you don't think a kid can fill that role then the answer is no
And for the record, I believe Vasicek did center the top line in 03-04 in carolina.
It's becoming more and more apparent that this is a different Rangers management staff.. The thing with keeping the kids and such is good for the future, but if we wanna win this year, this strategy kind of stinks...
I'm all for keeping kids and am tottally against trading the blue chippers, but I for one want to see this team make the playoffs this year.
I don't think it's a question of bringing him in and expecting him to center the second line. The question is if it's worth bringing him in, based on his potential, at the expense of a Rachunek (who may be gone at the end of the season.) If you think Baranka or Girardi can do what Rachnek does then I think the answer is yes, if you don't think a kid can fill that role then the answer is no
And for the record, I believe Vasicek did center the top line in 03-04 in carolina.
Isn't the Rangers need another quality center?Vasicek has three goals this season.Most of the time he now plays LW.He will be a group III this summer.Vasicek can't stay healthy.His injuries this season:missed 8 games with a hip flexor and 2 games with back spasms coming off ACL surgery
Isn't the Rangers need another quality center?Vasicek has three goals this season.Most of the time he now plays LW.He will be a group III this summer.Vasicek can't stay healthy.His injuries this season:missed 8 games with a hip flexor and 2 games with back spasms coming off ACL surgery
of course that's they're need, but I just don't see them filling that need: the option are very limited and the cost will be too high.
So in absense of an ideal fit you try and improvise. Vasicek is a player that, if comfortable and clicking on all cylinders, has the talent to lay on the second line. Now, as I said it's a risk, but it's acceptable if the cost is Rachunek and you think that Baranka and company can fill Rachunek's role. I' not saying that Vasicek is the be all end all, I'm saying that he's an option to be explored. If a better deal comes along then the rangers should make it, but I don't see what that is right now.
The New York Rangers desperately need a center to play alongside winger Brendan Shanahan. The team wasn't interested in Craig Conroy, who was shipped to Calgary this week.
Why not? Well, Plan A appears to be St. Louis Blues forward Keith Tkachuk. His contract expires at the end of this season and he has logged considerable time at center for the Blues this season.
If St. Louis' asking price is too high, it is believed the Rangers might pursue Bryan Smolinski of the Chicago Blackhawks or free-agent-to-be Josef Vasicek of the Nashville Predators.
Source: New York Post
The Post is notorious for false rumours, but I'm not sure how I'd feel about this. It would depend on what we'd give away. I don't want to see draft picks or prospects, but I'd be fine with the usual people implicated (Hossa, Hall, Malik).
One thought: at this point, would people be willing to trade Prucha? I love him, but I think his 30 goals as a rookie were a little skewed and he could be overvalued on the trade market right now. T
The Post is notorious for false rumours, but I'm not sure how I'd feel about this. It would depend on what we'd give away. I don't want to see draft picks or prospects, but I'd be fine with the usual people implicated (Hossa, Hall, Malik).
One thought: at this point, would people be willing to trade Prucha? I love him, but I think his 30 goals as a rookie were a little skewed and he could be overvalued on the trade market right now. T
This was discussed last week (2 weeks ago?) when it first appeared in the Post. Never say never, but most people dismissed it then and we haven't heard anything since. Hopefully the Avery trade makes it even less likely.
I don't know, I'm so so on him. I probably haven't seen him play enough, but I see him listed as a wing. As for Prucha I think the guy is great, I'll admit though, after seeing Avery play last game, I did think for an instant, wow we don't really need Prucha as much anymore. Avery basically plays like Prucha, except he stays on feet. Then I remembered, if the whole team played like Prucha we proabably wouldn't be out of a playoff spot right now. So Petr still needs to stay, and is still very much untouchable IMO.
No, I wouldn't trade Prucha for a short term rental. That'd be absurd.
Prucha only gets traded if it's for good player who's going to be with the Rangers for years. Not an over the hill veteran who exhibits mediocre play and is only around until the end of the year.
All 4 of those names were discussed at length about 2 weeks ago. Tkachuk even earlier. It seems yahoo is a bit behind the 8-ball here, and i wouldnt use that as a legitimate rumor source anyway, besides, the real source is Brooks and we all know how he likes to stir the pot.
this line is a classic.. "If St. Louis' asking price is too high, it is believed the Rangers might pursue Bryan Smolinski of the Chicago Blackhawks or free-agent-to-be Josef Vasicek of the Nashville Predators."
NO, I say we play with the lineup we have for the rest of the season, if we get to the playoffs, bonus, if not lets plan for next year.
THE KEY: is to stay as young as possible.
I wouldn't say as young as possible, but when you look at all the young talent coming in, you'd better be able to match it, to be a good team in the coming years.
Additionally, Keith Tkachuk is no where near the answer for our 2nd line Center spot becuase Keith Tkacuhk is primarily a LW'er.
I'd pass on him as a center.
I'd prefer Weight as the option for the 2nd line center spot.
I like Weight too...I think that we could get him for two 2nds and a mid-level prospect. I'm not positive I'd pull the trigger on that deal but it's something to think about.
I like Weight too...I think that we could get him for two 2nds and a mid-level prospect. I'm not positive I'd pull the trigger on that deal but it's something to think about.
I said it many times, not trading for any older center who's signed beyond the season.
