It’s the true dog days of the hockey season (I feel like I have written that a few times already this summer). Let’s jump into a mainly Rangers musings post but sprinkle in a little league wide news.
I really like the Nathan Gerbe signing. He’s ridiculously small but in today’s league that has never been less of a problem. He can skate, he can kill penalties and in the right situation with the right linemates I feel like he’ll help deepen the Rangers line-up offensively. At 600k there is no downside. The best part of the Gerbe (and Grabner) signings is that I finally feel like the Rangers management get it. They need to get back to being a speed orientated, mobile team. Gerbe and Grabner really help in this respect.
Via Yahoo’s Puck Daddy blog, yet another example why everyone loves: Henrik Lundqvist
Debate for the day: we all want Jimmy Vesey but do the Rangers need him? And where does he fit?
The Rangers have a bleak future? So the Rangers farm system isn’t stacked. Yes, that’s far from ideal, but the two most critical positions in the sport (in my opinion) are in goal and at center. The Rangers should enjoy another half decade of Henrik Lundqvist while their projected top four centers (Stepan, Zibanejad, Hayes, Lindberg) are 26, 23, 24 and 24. One is locked up long term while the other three are cost controlled. So there is no Stamkos or Crosby but that’s a pretty nice position to be in, no?
Re: above. It is completely realistic & possible that the Rangers have three 50 point centers this season.
The Red Wings continue to scour a weak market for defensive upgrades. If Nyquist or Tatar (as rumoured) are really in play, could the Wings be desperate enough to be low-balled? I for one would love to see Nyquist in Ranger blue (as unrealistic as that is…)
Debate II for your Thursday pleasure: Jesper Fast sneakily scored 30 points last year, primarily in a bottom six role. What’s his upside? Can he be a 40 point player on a contending team?
Circling back to Vesey for a moment: assume the Rangers lose out in the Vesey sweepstakes. Do the team feel the need to add another winger/offensive player and if so will they dip back into Free Agency? I can’t help being intrigued by a year of Jiri Hudler. In the right situation he’s a 50 point winger and a powerplay weapon. He’s going to have to settle for a cheap contract now we’re approaching the pre-season and New York is surely a good option for him. Is there a fit for a year?
James Wisniewski has signed a PTO with Tampa Bay. That’s a great low risk move for Tampa. He should be cheap and is a no risk, high reward roll of the dice. If he makes their line-up, with their depth, he can be sheltered in a bottom pairing position with PP time. I would have liked the Rangers to take a look at Wisniewski to help out the powerplay.
For those of you that haven’t seen the Jets/Oilers Alumni news; check it out. For starters the new Throwback Jets jersey is outrageously good while the Oilers squad (no surprise) is so stacked its untrue. I’m pretty sure everyone wants to see Messier and Gretzky together one more time.
Question Time:
- How many starts will Henrik Lundqvist get this season?
- With his injury in mind, what are your reasonable expectations for Oscar Lindberg?
- What does a successful first season in Ranger blue look like for Michael Grabner?
- How many games will Dylan McIlrath play this season? Will he finish the year a Ranger?
- As of today, have the Rangers improved, got weaker or stood still entering next season?
- Who will produce more next season: Zibanejad or Brassard?
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