I take Sather's comments as they will add depth via free agency and not by moving assets out.
They're going after Schultz. They obviously feel he can probably step right in or step in mid-season.
Not that he will go after big money players. Especially not lazy enigmas like Semin.
Prust is probably gone. They'll need to fill that role. They needed another depth forward before that, so now its two. They need a top six forward. And a veteran right-handed defenseman.
That's four pieces if they get Schultz.
Rupp may not be a full time option if they want the bottom line more productive.
Hagelin - Richards - Gaborik
Kreider - Stepan - x
Dubinsky - Anisimov - Callahan
x - Boyle - x
McDonagh - Girardi
Staal - x
Del Zotto - x
Justin Schultz
Ray Whitney
Jarret Stoll
Paul Gaustad
Zenon Konopka
Cory Sarich
Milan Jurcina
Brad Boyes
Torrey Mitchell
I don't know much about the problems with Semin, but a 1 year deal can't hurt. The last thing I want is to give up so many picks and players for a Bobby Ryan or Rick Nash.
But how about Ray Whitney? I seriously think the dude would be an awesome addition. He's pretty much a sure bet to get 60 points, and has never commanded more than 3.5M per year in his career. We offer him a 2 year, 8M deal to come here, he provides the 20 goal-60 point scorer we need, without giving up a lot of cash or valuable pieces.
Hell, we could even sign both of them with Gaborik out until November or December. Sign them both to one year deals totaling 10M, and we give Whitney a chance to help us get a cup while Semin gets a chance to prove himself for a multi-year deal.
Same way pitt is gonna afford Malkin parise and crosby? However, if we have Nash, why are we getting Semin?
Nash will be a CBJ next year. Parise will be a NJD next year. If those arent the case I will be shocked. Ryan will be in Anaheim next year. Oh, and pretty much all of the stars you guys seem to think teams will send here will be on their respective teams. Only ones with even a slimmer of a chance are Jagr, Semin, Smyth, Konopka, Gaustad, and a few of the other 3rd/4th liner names I've been hearing. The rest aren't going to happen because Sather isn't the idiot he was in the late 90's early 2000's. He is slowly starting to learn that you can't buy a Stanley Cup like you can a World Series or an NBA championship... and even if you get lucky and do, you won't be contenders for long after (Chicago). Maybe I am stupid, but when I look at the Rangers now, I see a team that 8 years down the line could potentially have won 3 cups.
Last edited by mahonistan*: 06-24-2012 at 02:05 AM.
I thought Semin was praised a lot this year for buying into Dale's system and playing a full game? Backchecking? etc? Havent watched a ton of Caps games but could've swore I heard that...
If that's the case, its worth investigating the guy for sure.
I'd be open to signing Semin given a contract no longer than 3 years. I think he has evolved his game and is no longer strictly a selfish floater. I think getting him away from Ovechkin would allow him to grow and take on a more leading offensive role on this team.
Semin fills a lot of needs on this team and I feel that the culture of the team and our coach would make sure that he plays at least enough defense so that he would not be a liability.
I thought Semin was praised a lot this year for buying into Dale's system and playing a full game? Backchecking? etc? Havent watched a ton of Caps games but could've swore I heard that...
If that's the case, its worth investigating the guy for sure.
You know how it is here- once a guy has a reputation it is impossible for him to change it.
Sign him up Sather ! Cost us nothing more than a few million over 3-4 years . On a team like we have with some great leadership he could mature a lot and be almost Hull like with a guy like Richards feeding him . If we want to compete without trading youth...this signing has to be done or else we won't have as many guns as our rivals...and we all know what happens when you enter a war with smaller guns !
As I said in the offseason thread, I'd rather sign Semin to a one year contract the trade for Nash. To me, Semin would be plan C. Plan A being Ryan, plan B being Parise, and Semin plan C.
I'd be open to signing Semin given a contract no longer than 3 years. I think he has evolved his game and is no longer strictly a selfish floater. I think getting him away from Ovechkin would allow him to grow and take on a more leading offensive role on this team.
Semin fills a lot of needs on this team and I feel that the culture of the team and our coach would make sure that he plays at least enough defense so that he would not be a liability.
This would be the ideal situation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stugots
You know how it is here- once a guy has a reputation it is impossible for him to change it.
Jagr comes to mind. Most people had him peged as the I don't care anymore superstar who floated around. That was quickly dispelled once he became a Ranger.
