MSL hasn't slowed down a bit, however. He is a point-a-game player still, and he's coming off a 99-point season. He will cost the Rangers at least Dubinsky and possibly one of Hagelin or Stepan and a first-round pick...too rich for my blood.
The fact that he's on a 35+ contract doesn't worry me; it's that he has shown no signs of slowing down.
If I'm Sather, I deal only for a depth defenseman or a bottom-6 forward who is a faceoff whiz...call me crazy, but what about Zenon Konopka in that regard? He is 58.5 percent on faceoffs this year with the Senators in 49 games and could be a grinding fourth-liner with Prust and Rupp.
If we are trading for a faceoff specialist then our end must begin with Boyle. He is trying to fill that role now and failing. Boyle for Konopka? Done.
I am almost a little surprised a team like FLA hasn't been rumored to be involved. They have the young players to make a deal like this and Nash would fit in well down there with their cap space. Maybe they aren't on his list but they are up-and-coming for sure.
I am almost a little surprised a team like FLA hasn't been rumored to be involved. They have the young players to make a deal like this and Nash would fit in well down there with their cap space. Maybe they aren't on his list but they are up-and-coming for sure.
They're likely not on the list of teams Nash would approve a deal to.
Columbus does not need to move him. He is on the market now because this is the time of year where teams are most likely to take a risk and overpay thinking that he is the missing piece to the holy grail. And my guess is LA or Toronto will take that step out of some sense of desparation. We, on the other hand, will likely be smart and only make the move if it preserves our prospect pool while improving our shot this year.
Dubi, Erixon, Thomas and a 2012 1st. I would do that deal for Nash if the cap hit can be managed; which I cannot speak to. He is a dynamic player who has to be tended to whenever he is on the ice. And his ability to get the puck, protect the puck and pass and shoot the puck are elite. That should be expected to help our dormant PP.
I would not deal McD, MDZ or Kreider for this player. And I really like Miller and would like to keep him unless we are getting one of the league;s best. I am one of those people who believes Thomas will score regularly in the NHL and that Erixon will be very good. But Nash's scoring ability lessens the need for Thomas and we have a glut of defenseman. If we had to add Zucc to get it done I would throw him in as well.
I am always amazed at the protective, over inflated optimism we the fans have of our prospects. The kid could be a total NHL bust, or best case another 20-25 goal scorer that are a dime a dozen around the NHL, by no means will the arrival or departure of C.K. have any GREAT impact in the direction of this organization...But, that's Just my opinion, and you know what they say bout those..
You could be right but college prospects are different than junior prospects. the NCAA is a better proving ground for the NHL game than is major junior and CK is over a ppg on an inconsistent team (he may deserve some blame for that). His athleticism is off the charts and so he can be a star, only time will tell. I would keep him unless we are bringing back a Stamkos type talent and there are only a few of those in the world. I want to see him reach his potential in Ranger blue.
If we are trading for a faceoff specialist then our end must begin with Boyle. He is trying to fill that role now and failing. Boyle for Konopka? Done.
Boyle >>>>>> Konopka
Having a 3rd and 4th center of Gaustad and Boyle would be a VERY good situation to be in.
If we are trading for a faceoff specialist then our end must begin with Boyle. He is trying to fill that role now and failing. Boyle for Konopka? Done.
Gross. No.
__________________
"Of course giving Sather cap space is like giving teenagers whiskey and car keys." - SBOB "Watching Sather build a team is like watching a blind man with no fingers trying to put together an elaborate puzzle." - Shadowtron
Sestito still on the make a wish tour. - rholt168
Having a 3rd and 4th center of Gaustad and Boyle would be a VERY good situation to be in.
I disagree with your assessment of the two players. As a defensive center, faceoffs are a huge part of what you do and Konopka is one of the best in the league year after year. He is great in the room as is Boyle and he is much tougher. Boyle is a better all around defensive player and neither is very good in the O-zone. Both goals last night could be directly tied back to faceoffs lost by Boyle and it happens too often. He is not the only culprit but he is the only center we have who is a "defensive specialist" and without prowess in the dot that label is being misused.
I would rather have Konopka at this point. Not sure what he gets paid.
So would it be safe to say it is very unlikely Nash is going to be a NYR? I mean, with Howson around the Garden yesterday, and the teams playing, and still nothing getting done with him leaving the area?
Can you explain to me if they're so great why they only have two more ROW than Carolina and the same exact amount of ROW as Tampa? Can you explain why without the skills competition they would be 16 points behind us (with us having a game in hand) and 7 points ahead of the last place Canes (albeit with a game in hand), they'd be 6 points ahead of Tampa, they'd be 7 points ahead of Montreal (albeit with a couple of games in hand). They'd be far closer to the bottom of the league than us if it wasn't for a league wide joke. It's like the Knicks being half way closer to the Heat because they were good at a 3 point contest or a game of horse. NJ is better than us in STs. Too bad that not many penalties get called anymore. Too bad the vast majority of the game is played 5 on 5. Even counting their better PP and PK, the Devils (without counting shootout points) have a -2 goal differential. We have a +46 goal differential, good for 3rd in the league. The even strength differential must be ridiculous. There's nothing to respect about a team that can't win without a gimmick and wouldn't in the same league as you without that gimmick.
With all of the gimmicks, if NJ and all of the #2 teams in the division with their games in hand, NJ would still be 2nd furthest #2 in the league behind the Northeast division, which is an utter joke outside of Vancouver.
I disagree with your assessment of the two players. As a defensive center, faceoffs are a huge part of what you do and Konopka is one of the best in the league year after year. He is great in the room as is Boyle and he is much tougher. Boyle is a better all around defensive player and neither is very good in the O-zone. Both goals last night could be directly tied back to faceoffs lost by Boyle and it happens too often. He is not the only culprit but he is the only center we have who is a "defensive specialist" and without prowess in the dot that label is being misused.
I would rather have Konopka at this point. Not sure what he gets paid.
There are only (2) things Konopka is better at than Boyle. Face-offs and fighting. Everything else Boyle >>>>>>>> Konopka.
He is the type of player who is almost useless in the playoffs.
I just can not get over that cap hit and contract length. It really is too much for too long. If that cap hit were in the high 6s and the contract length was 3 years I would be willing to give up dubi, erixon, thomas and a 1st.
But I can't imagine that we can take on that contract and keep our young guys down the road. Plus I'm definitely worried that Nash won't live up to that salary here in New York.
It also worries me that the guy is a career -75. I know he's played his entire career on a mediocre team but it certainly doesn't help reassure me that this is a good idea.
I'd rather make a trade for an expiring contract player and do everything possible to get Parise for nothing in the offseason.
Lots of question marks in that package. Bernier and Loktionov still haven't proven anything and Jack Johnson isn't that great. Hope they take it though
Rangers fans have such inflated opinions of prospects...you know, like Staal or Girardi could be All-Star defensemen, Callahan could become a captain, MDZ or McD could become quality top 4 D-men, or Derek Stepan could become a quality playmaking center...such unfounded notions for prospects.
Girardi wasn't a Ranger prospect, they didn't even draft the guy for pete's sake..As for Staal, great example of over inflated, yeah he is/was a decent top pair stay at home defender, now with the emergence of McD paired with Girardi, does he ever get back there? If I were to go back through the last two - three years of postsnand say Staal would be replaced on the depth chart by another defensmen I'd get run out of town, so yes, great example of "over inflated".
As for McD, he again was never a Ranger prospect, Montreal prospect who in my opinion will go down in history of one of the most lopsided throw-in's in the history of a salary dump based trades....
That seems pretty good deal to me. Johnson's been underwhemling this season and Bernier's appeared in a whopping (11) games. Underrated goaltender, but I think it's pretty clear that they're going to live and die with Quick. I'd imagine the sticking point is the "plus".
Girardi wasn't a Ranger prospect, they didn't even draft the guy for pete's sake..As for Staal, great example of over inflated, yeah he is/was a decent top pair stay at home defender, now with the emergence of McD paired with Girardi, does he ever get back there? If I were to go back through the last two - three years of postsnand say Staal would be replaced on the depth chart by another defensmen I'd get run out of town, so yes, great example of "over inflated".
As for McD, he again was never a Ranger prospect, Montreal prospect who in my opinion will go down in history of one of the most lopsided throw-in's in the history of a salary dump based trades....
Girardi was absolutely a prospect as a young UFA signing, much like Zuccarello. Girardi just far exceeded any expectation about him.
Quote:
13. (11) Daniel Girardi, D Grade: 6.5A
Acquired: Free Agency
Girardi plays a smart, uncomplicated, effective game. Not selected in either the 2004 or 2005 NHL entry draft, he signed an AHL contract with Hartford prior to the 2005-06 season. After an outstanding freshman professional season, the Rangers rewarded Girardi with an NHL contract during the summer of 2006.
Since then, he was selected an AHL all-star and played regularly with the NHL team after a January 2007 call-up to the Rangers. Most often playing 15-20 minutes a night on the Rangers blue line, Girardi is not fancy, but gets the job done. He is expected to play with the Rangers again this season, probably as a member of the second or third defensive pairing.
First off; lighten up. Secondly, what part of Boyle's game is that much better than Konopka (assuming you know who Konopka is)? All of my friends who are Islander fans love this guy and were not happy to see him go.
I can tell you how he's better than Boyle. Faceoffs and toughness. Your turn.
Girardi wasn't a Ranger prospect, they didn't even draft the guy for pete's sake..As for Staal, great example of over inflated, yeah he is/was a decent top pair stay at home defender, now with the emergence of McD paired with Girardi, does he ever get back there? If I were to go back through the last two - three years of postsnand say Staal would be replaced on the depth chart by another defensmen I'd get run out of town, so yes, great example of "over inflated".
As for McD, he again was never a Ranger prospect, Montreal prospect who in my opinion will go down in history of one of the most lopsided throw-in's in the history of a salary dump based trades....
Obviously most people will disagree with this assessment. Decent?
That seems pretty good deal to me. Johnson's been underwhemling this season and Bernier's appeared in a whopping (11) games. Underrated goaltender, but I think it's pretty clear that they're going to live and die with Quick. I'd imagine the sticking point is the "plus".
Kings fans apparently think it's a huge overpayment, but I think it's actually fair. Bernier will probably never be as good as Quick and Loktionov, although has potential, is undersized and may never have a noticeable impact in the NHL.
There are only (2) things Konopka is better at than Boyle. Face-offs and fighting. Everything else Boyle >>>>>>>> Konopka.
He is the type of player who is almost useless in the playoffs.
That's true you never need to protect a lead and win a big draw to stop a game from going to overtime? Oops. Also, with the way we play I would expect most playoff games to be one goal affairs. Wouldn't it be nice to gain possession of the puck in the defensive zone most of the time instead of scrambling and hoping Hank comes up big? Also, offensively they are a push. Boyle is clueless in the O-zone.