Free Agency Prediction
Free Agency is almost here, and while the rest of sporting world will be focused on the LeBron watch, we here are BSB will be focused on what the NHL free agency period looks like (ah, who I am kidding. We’re all watching to see where LeBron goes. And hockey. But, LeBron too)
We’ve been profiling potential free agent targets for the Rangers. Read about them here.
Here’s what I think the Rangers are going to do. Read it, and see what you think:
I don’t think the Rangers will be that active. I think they’ll resign Prospal. Christensen is as good as gone (and really, why did he not take that offer?). This team will be younger, but I don’t think that’s bad. Here’s my take on potential lines
Dubinsky-AA-Gaborik
Avery-Prospal-Callahan
Grachev-Drury-Weise
Prust-Stepan-Boyle
I really think Stepan makes this team. I think he makes an impact too.
Now, we all care about scoring.
Gaborik: 40 goals
Dubi: 25
AA: 20
Cally: 20
Avery: 10
Prospal: 15
Grachev: 12
Drury:10
Weise: 5
Prust: 8
Stepan: 10
Boyle: 2
That’s 177 goals, just by the forwards. Rangers scored 219 goals last season, and that included contributions from PA Parenteau, Dane Byers, Chris Higgins, Ales Kotalik and the defensemen. Goals will come from injury call-ups etc. Rangers got 32 goals from the standard 6 d-men. That, combined with our rough total of 177, is 209. Add goals from call-ups and you get to that 219 number pretty easily. It’s the same team as last year. But, it’s younger. It’s more hungry. And it’s cheaper. I’d rather they give kids the chance, instead of overpaying a veteran. But this is Glen Sather we’re talking about.
SO, those are my predictions. What are yours?
By Dave, June 29, 2010 @ 9:21 pm
I think, with the news of Redden going to be demoted, the Rangers target someone like Lombardi as a stopgap, and Stepan starts in Hartford.
Offensive output would pretty much be the same though. I don’t expect much more than 220 goals.
By Jeremy, June 29, 2010 @ 9:55 pm
I’ll believe the Redden news when it happens. Who would be the sixth D? McDonagh? Insert vet here?
By jerry, June 29, 2010 @ 10:41 pm
i think you take boyle out and insert shelley.also i know you and me dissagree but i see mza making the top six this year at least for the start of the season.and dubi centering the second line.
By jerry, June 29, 2010 @ 10:42 pm
what do you see as far as defence.
By Blue Seat, June 29, 2010 @ 10:46 pm
Move Drury to center the 2nd line,Grachev centers Byers and Weise on 3rd line, and Stepan centers Prust and Shelley on 4th line. Do no sign Prospal and get rid of Boyle.
By brian, June 30, 2010 @ 12:02 am
i hope they get spezza or connolly
By Rob, June 30, 2010 @ 12:13 am
I guess you think the Frodo from Modo doesn’t make the team!
jerry Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 11:45 am
he will def make the team for at least the start of season .
Dave Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
He will not make the team out of the gate. My two cents.
By the duke, June 30, 2010 @ 12:00 pm
Can LeBron skate?
Dave Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Better than Brashear.