TBT

TBT

Happy Father’s Day, BSB nation! Before we dive into Rangers chat, I’d like to thank my dad for being a great role model and for being so supportive. Without him, I wouldn’t have a borderline corny-dad sense of humor. I would also like to wish all the dads who read us a happy Father’s Day and thanks for checking in here on your day.

Since it’s summer and, as an tax accountant, I use 110% of my brainpower from January-April, today will be a pre-draft musings. We went over this in last week’s podcast, but focused on who we think will be traded. How about focusing on not trading?

  • Derek Stepan is the hot trade chip, apparently, but why should the Rangers explore this? While hearing options is never a terrible a terrible idea, a Stepan-less team doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.
  • We know the reasons why he is valuable, but what would you really want in return? It would have to be a sexy package, with some salary loss, and we’re talking about a 26 year old center who’s just reaching his peak.
  • Assuming the Rangers decide to trade an offensive piece (why, why, WHY), we’ve discussed the benefits of trading Derick Brassard over Stepan. There has also been chatter of adding Kevin Hayes to a deal, but really, who would want a lazy forward? (/sarcasm)
  • Really, I could write a thousand words on why people are so yuck towards Hayes and why that’s so absurd, but whatever. If we’re trading a forward, okay, sure, but Hayes should not be an add on. He’s 24 years old, he’s Rangers controlled, he’s cheap, and he’s only declined 9 points in his sophomore year, all while having his coach blatantly not believe in him.
  • The “trade Hayes” crowd probably also didn’t think that there was anything wrong with not showcasing Emerson Etem, and, instead, effectively trading Carl Hagelin for a bag of pucks. Also, they probably want Steven Stamkos to be the Rangers’ #1 priority.
  • On Stamkos: he is not what this team needs. Haven’t we learned at all as a fanbase that the shiny new toy is never necessarily what is needed? Granted, his mentor Martin St. Louis, was phenomenal for the 2014 Rangers, but that was a different scenario. Stamkos is incredible and will make a team better, but it will not address the core issues the Rangers have.
  • Speaking of which, if the Rangers cannot clear some defensive space, they can do nada and it would still be a total waste of an offseason. I’m not suggesting we trade any specific defenseman (relax, uptight apologists, today is a day of rest), but that core, as great as they have been for the Rangers for years, needs a change.
  • Finally, can we re-sign some pieces that make the team work? Looking at Viktor Stalberg specifically here.

Tell me in the comments what one player you’d like to see either come to or leave the Rangers.

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