One of my biggest complaints about the business of hockey is that the game’s biggest superstars receive very little notoriety away from the rink. Part of the problem lies with the league for not doing enough to market its stars beyond the Crosbys and Ovechkins of the world, but part of the problem also falls back on the players and their agents for not seeking more off ice opportunities. I mean Gatorade and Nike probably do more to promote NBA players better than the NBA itself ever could.
So what does all of this have to do with Henrik Lundqvist?
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As the offseason turns to August, and the rosters begin to take shape, the attention turns away from those with guaranteed roster spots and towards the many prospects within the system that are all competing to be that sleeper in camp. Last year Stu Bickel was that sleeper, and Carl Hagelin was the mid-season call up that many expected he would be. This year there aren’t as many spots open for kids, but there is still a spot or two available for a kid who impresses.
With Tim Erixon traded to Columbus, the prospects on defense with a real chance to make the club are few in numbers. In fact, you can really say that only Dylan McIlrath has a legitimate shot at making the club, although he likely needs a full season at the AHL level.
As for forwards, the list is significantly longer. That said, it is a certainty that the Rangers will not rush their prospects just for the sake of saying they have a rookie on the club (outside of Chris Kreider of course). There are a few kids that will need to turn in fantastic camps in order to even have a longer look come the preseason.
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Most Rangers fans were relatively unconcerned when the team parted with its 2013 first-round pick to help acquire Rick Nash. They recognized that the pick was likely to fall late in the 20s, giving it less value, and that New York’s farm system is already stocked with top tier prospects, making the pick less important to the club than it might have been a couple years ago.
The good news for the Blueshirts is that they’re well equipped to maneuver around efficiently in next year’s draft, meaning they could still be in position to scoop up a couple of strong prospects even without their valuable first-rounder.
That’s because New York currently owns its second-round pick, FOUR third-round selections, one in the fourth round and a sixth-rounder.
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Recent reports from radio color commentator Dave Maloney and from Jess Rubenstein at The Prospect Park that Michael Sauer has made “tremendous progress” have added to what has been a spectacular late-July for the New York Rangers.
Though Tim Erixon was a necessary piece to acquire Rick Nash, trading him left the Blueshirts woefully thin on the blueline. The top-four of Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi, Marc Staal and Michael Del Zotto rates among the best in the league, but after them New York was left with only Anton Stralman and Stu Bickel.
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We’ve repeatedly lauded Rangers GM Glen Sather for his patience this summer, but rumors of new framework for the next CBA could represent just another example of the wisdom of Sather’s willingness to hurry up and wait.
One of the pieces of the owners’ first proposal to the players was to extend Entry Level contact lengths from three years to five. It’s another attempt by teams to control their carefully selected young players on the cheap for as long as possible.
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Note: This was written before Anton Stralman re-signed.
Tim Erixon was never going to be a deal breaker in the Rick Nash negotiations and as it turned out the talented young Swede was indeed sent to Columbus. With Erixon gone, the Rangers now have an even more pressing need to fill the bottom pair ahead of the new season. Something that was already an issue.
It was widely assumed Erixon would grab one of the last spots on the blue line in New York this coming season. What’s more, Erixon was supposed to assist Michael Del Zotto in terms of generating offense from the blue line. Having flashed his talent in Connecticut, Erixon was going to provide something that was lacking somewhat in New York.
Without Erixon, with Anton Stralman a free agent and unsigned and with Dylan McIlrath injured for several months there is a clear need for the Rangers to go out and find alternatives. Of course, there still remains a chance Stralman returns. It makes sense for the player and the team to find an agreement assuming dollars can be agreed. Both sides are familiar with each other, there is a clear role for Stralman and with his previous experience playing with Rick Nash there is the added benefit of familiarity there too.
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There have been several reports that some variation of the package the Rangers sent to Columbus for Rick Nash on Monday was on the negotiating table for months before the deal was finally consummated. But Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch, who is one of the more clued in reporters in the business, tweeted that defensive prospect Tim Erixon was in fact only added to the deal last week. Portzline added that there was “no question” that Shea Weber’s offer sheet with Philadelphia pushed the Rangers to sweeten their offer and include Erixon.
That nugget drew little attention in light of all the other subplots surrounding the blockbuster trade, but if Portzline’s report is correct, then that tells us even more about GM Glen Sather’s negotiating tactics over the last few months.
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According to Kevin Allen of USA Today, the Rangers have re-signed RFA defenseman Anton Stralman to a 2-year deal, avoiding arbitration. The deal totals 3.4 million, 1.6 and 1.8 million per season respectively. More info to come as it becomes available.
One name that has consistently popped up on Twitter in the search for the final pieces to the Rangers’ roster puzzle is that of 37-year-old center Jason Arnott.
Arnott seems like he’s been around forever, but the grizzled veteran still has some left in the tank. He posted 17 goals and 17 assists in 72 games last season for the St. Louis Blues, respectable numbers for a team that struggled to score. Arnott can’t carry an offense, but in a supporting role he is still capable of chipping in.
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On top of avoiding surrendering prized young players like Derek Stepan and Michael Del Zotto in yesterday’s blockbuster trade, GM Glen Sather also did an effective job of keeping the Rangers in good shape with the salary cap.
The Rangers are now on the hook for the remaining six-years, $46.8 million of the eight-year, $62.4 million contract Rick Nash inked with Columbus in 2009, but they still have plenty of room to operate.
Some thoughts on the financial impact of the deal:
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