Free Agency Day 1
Here’s my take on day 1 of the most nervous part of the hockey season for Rangers fans.
Glen Sather actually did OK. I love the Biron signing. I still think, despite recent sub par years (but he was on the Isles…) he has starter potential and when you can get a guy that can start for under $1m a year im ok with that. Look at it this way: If Lundqvist went down with an injury last year mass hystreria would have broken out. If that happens this season, while it would be terrible news, all would not be lost as Biron can certainly hold a fort. I’m willing to call this the best 1-2 in the league.
Erik Christensen and Vinny Prospal. Both players signed deals that dont hurt the cap and if they produce like they did this past season both still fall into the bargain category. Alot of people thought EC was gone when he turned down the initial offer but he did well to come back. He has a unique shot in NY at making something of his career and The Rangers (for the time being) need him. It’s a marriage of convenience. Prospal re-upped retains leadership, provides continuity and (critical) offense for the relatively small price of 2m – no complaints here.
Big Bad Derek. Ah yes, Boooooogaard. I was distraught – like many Rangers fans - at first but Dave is right, the $ is not the issue. I would love to hear Sather justify the term however. This was his only mistake of the day. I will say this for Sather; his words were very clear when discussing this signing.
“There were too many times last year when I saw guys scraping snow into Henrik’s face…won’t see that happen any longer”
You have to like Sather coming out and being open (a rarity) about this move. Specifically the ‘wont see this happen any longer’ pleased me. If Boogaard pummels a few Atlantic foes (unlike Brashear) then we’ll be ok with it. The term still hurts though, thankfully he’s under 35.
Beyond July 1st. I genuinely believe Sather still intends to add and maybe something significant. You cannot rule him out of the Kovalchuk stakes due to his past crimes against the salary cap and The Rangers were apparently in discussions with Alex Frolov which shows maybe Sather is still keen on adding offense. Anything Sather does now must be at the right price. Personally im ok with guys like Grachev staying in the AHL a little longer and maturing there, if the right guy at the right price is brought in.
Personally here’s how July 2nd would go down for me in an ideal world; we hear of progress on deals for Staal, Girardi and Prust and Sather adds another piece of offense on a short term deal. Frolov 2 years? why not. Final thing; via the wonderful world of twitter I was intrigued to read Sather’s comment on Kreider being ‘ready to make the jump’. Maybe he won’t be back in college…..
By Dave, July 2, 2010 @ 9:19 am
I’m sure Rask/Thomas, if they stay in tact, get the nod for top 1/2 punch. Then Hank/Biron and/or Brodeur/Hedberg. It’s definitely a solid upgrade of Zaba-Johnson.
Kreider is definitely turning pro after his sophomore season. He will spend at least a year in the AHL before playing in the NHL.
jurgenno88 Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 9:49 am
I know he intends to. Jim Cerny was kind enough to answer my question on that but i wonder how tempting it would be for Kreider if Sather promises him certain things. Even if he stays in college though; its great to think he’s much such huge progress in 1 year.
Dave Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:17 am
He’s still too raw to play this year. No need to rush him.
By Dave, July 2, 2010 @ 9:21 am
Once Brashear is off the books, everyone will calm down about Boogaard. The fact that Gaborik requested him has me a little at ease.
jurgenno88 Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 9:51 am
yeah agreed, but 3m cap space for heavyweights is tough to stomach for now. That could have been Versteeg or even Frolov for example.
Dave Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:17 am
Versteeg yes, because that’s what he’s signed to. Frolov will get $5 million from someone.
jurgenno88 Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:51 am
well i wouldnt mind Frolov here though he is a headcase, however he can go elsewhere if 5m is the price.
I was stunned to see Lombardi was asking ‘northwards of 4m’ yesterday. If he gets 4.5m or more off someone then its going crazy
Dave Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 11:07 am
He’s simply playing the market. If Kovalchuk is really asking for $8 million, teams may turn to Lombardi as a cheaper alternative.
jerry Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 11:17 am
id like to know where the kids are fitting in the line up this year.
Dave Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 11:28 am
This year? They aren’t. Byers should have been given a shot instead of signing Boogy. But he won’t. Weise is supposedly being given a shot.
By Brian, July 2, 2010 @ 11:54 am
Very solid first day. I have no problem with overpaying for Boogard considering that the other 3 contracts came in at relative bargains. Protection for Henrik and Gaborik is paramount here. 4 years? Yea we’d prefer two but I can’t see how this signing is remotely comparable to Brashear, he’s only 28 and this guy will kill anything that moves – i think the fans will love him.
Now sign Staal (2 years at 3.75 mil per), Girardi (2 years at 2.5 mil per), and Prust (2 years at 800,000 per) , and we’re done for the offseason.
As far as O is concerned we will be short on proven talent on the top 2 lines so let MZA, Stepan, Grachev, show what they have in camp though they all will likely start in Hartford. Keep a spot open for Dale Weise. Give EC and AA shots at the first line Center spot.
For D, if they decide they will demote Redden then let Sauer and Valentenko (hopefully McDonagh) fight it out for the 6th and 7th spots.
Prospal – AA – Gaborik
Dubinsky – EC – Weise
Avery – Drury – Callahan
Prust – Boyle – Boogaard
Staal-Girardi
MDZ-Roszival
Sauer/Valentenko/McDonagh-Gilroy
Henrik-Biron
We will have to fight for a playoff spot of course but we will be a young, hard-working, cohesive team. With Redden’s demotion we will have the cap space to add a significant salary around 5 mil (or call-up) during the season if we are still in the hunt.
Lets Go Rangers!
Dave Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 2:15 pm
That’s the ideal scenario. And thank you for not putting MZA on the first line lol.
By jurgenno88, July 2, 2010 @ 12:18 pm
Souray is on waivers. I hope to god the Rangers dont claim him. I was ok with trading him and moving bad money back but not as a waiver.
Brian Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 12:56 pm
The only way we take him is if Rozi gos back the other way.
Dave Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 1:32 pm
If they claim him, I’m killing someone.
jerry Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 5:41 pm
remember we have a bet mza makes team out of the gate.