Keep or Dump? - Part I
by Rob Luker on May 22, 2009 7:00 AM EDT
in Rangers Analysis
18 comments
Editors note: This was a group project here at Blueshirt Banter; with Jim, Ryan, Joe, and myself all chipping in for different players. Players were randomly assigned and will be presented in two parts, with five coming in this one and six more coming on Tuesday.
- Nik Antropov:
2008-2009 Salary: 2.15 Mil.
2008-2009 Salary Cap Hit: 2.05 Mil.
Situation: UFA
Ranger Reporter (Joe) says:
This is a very difficult decision because Antropov could be vital to the team's success next year. He is clearly a 25-30 goal scorer, something the Rangers lack with passion. He is a big body-something Tortorella stressed that he wanted-and a brilliant skater. He would certainty help the power play click a little bit more, along with being dangerous five on five. My problem with Antopov is his asking price. I would love to have him on this team, there is no question about that, but the question is around how much money he wants to make. To me the Rangers can't afford him at more than 4 million a year (and let's be honest 4 million a year is pushing it). If he agrees to an affordable contract than keep him, if not then let him walk.
Decision: Dump (Schwab's call as Joe couldn't decide)
- Blair Betts:
2008-2009 Salary: 615 K
2008-2009 Salary Cap Hit: 615 K
Situation: UFA
Tmranger (Ryan) says:
Blair Betts is the best 4th line center in the NHL. He is a key part of a penalty kill that was ranked 1st overall for most of the season and is a team player in every sense of the word. Even though Tortorella prefers to role three lines, Betts is too important of an asset to let go, especially because it will probably only take about $1 million to keep him as a Ranger. It would be a big mistake to let Blair Betts walk.
Decision: Keep
- Ryan Callahan:
2008-2009 Salary: 600 K
2008-2009 Salary Cap Hit: 575 K
Situation: RFA* (Arbitration Eligible)
Jrs1940 (Jim) says:
Ryan Callahan not only showed great improvement after the coaching change, but I also believe he has the leadership qualities necessary to someday become the Captain of the Rangers. He is a star in the making, and the closest thing the Rangers have to a young goal scorer on the current roster. At only 24 years old, his best hockey is still way ahead of him. In my opinion, he is part of the 4-headed cornerstone of the franchise along with Henrik Lundqvist, Marc Staal, and Brandon Dubinsky.
Decision: Keep
- Brandon Dubinsky
2008-2009 Salary: 635 K
2008-2009 Salary Cap Hit: 633,333 K
Situation: RFA
Jrs1940 says:
Many fans got down on Dubinsky because of the long goal scoring drought he went through between February and March (which lasted 23 games); but there is so much more to Brandon's game than goal scoring. He's a hard working 2-way center who doesn't take shifts off. His game was among those that picked up after the coaching change, and you just don't let a 23 year old center who plays as hard as he does walk away.
Decision: Keep
- Lauri Korpikoski
2008-2009 Salary: 984,200 K
2008-2009 Salary Cap Hit: 1,017,533 Mil.
Situation: RFA
Ranger Reporter says:
When I first started thinking about Korpikoski I immediately thought dump. But the more time I thought about it I would be hard pressed to dump yet another 1st round pick that hasn't panned out yet. The "Korpedo" showed flashes of brilliance through the season, and I think that a lot of the reason why he wasn't much better was because of his ice time. That and the fact that he is only 22 years old makes me say that he definitely deserves a longer look. He will have to take a pay cut from the near 1 Million dollars he made this year but a 3 year 2 million dollar contract would suffice in my book.
Decision: Keep
So that ends Part I of the Keep or Dump series. Do you agree with our decisions? What would yours be? Will Dubinsky and Korpikoski ever grow facial hair? Let us know, all the while Part II will include the six other Unrestricted or Restricted Free Agents, which will be posted Tuesday. Check back then and enjoy your holiday weekend.
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Id say keep them all
the only one that Id question on keeping is Antropov, and that’s cuz the guy is painstakingly slow, even for a big guy.
You watch guys like Franzen and Holmstrom ( I know, light years better than Antropov), and these guys can skate very well.
Antropov looked like he was moving in slow motion.
But he is a big body, and I think that he’s been a bit of a late bloomer as he really broke out this season. Id say keep him, but again for the right price.
by FreeBradshaw on May 22, 2009 7:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Most important guy on this is
Betts. Even if he asks for 2 Million, he deserves it. Aside from Lundqvist, to me Betts is the most important player on the team.
by FreeBradshaw on May 22, 2009 7:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No love for Callie?
Great job by everyone, this looks great
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on May 22, 2009 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed 100%!
Could not agree more. Sadly Antropov’s lackluster performance in the postseason when we needed him made me doubt my confidence in him. Betts is the best 4th line center and losing him might lead to anarchy at MSG. Cally and Dubi ARE the faces of the future. Anyone who doubts that is just mistaken. Korpi, with more time on the 3rd line will show what he’s got and Torts will reward him.
by Richter915 on May 22, 2009 9:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Antropov has a reputation of not being great in the playoffs, 4 goals 4 assists in 35 games.
By the way Richter, welcome to Blueshirt Banter! We hope you will stick around over the summer,
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on May 22, 2009 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed for the most part
Cali, Dubi, Betts, and Korp are all essential to this team. However, I wouldn’t pay Antro more than 3 mil for no more than 2 yrs. He has the size and skill. However, his numbers do not warrant a salary over 3 mil, esp during these times. Also, Antro has notoriously bad knees and has never really put together a full 82 game season. His skating and speed is ok at best. His size and hands are his bread and butter. Torts might be the guy that whip him into shape. Antro has always been inconsistent and known to take shifts off. Granted, some of his lackluster effort may stem from knee problems, but all of those things do not add up to safe-keeping. Ideally, I’d give him a 1yr contract just to see what this team really has and needs going forward. However, in reality, he probably wont settle for anything below 3yrs. Redden really screwed us! Hopefully we can trade Rozi (not a bad skill guy, but way too indecisive).
by motherpucker on May 22, 2009 11:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
good points, but I don’t think Antropov will settle for that amount.
And welcome to the Banter motherpucker, I’ve been on your site many times, I feel like we hit the big time now!
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on May 22, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice Work..
The assesments were great..very much along the thinking of normal minded Ranger fans. Antropov is a nice 2nd line winger, he does not project to be a 1st line guy which we need. 3 years at about 7.5m would be okay otherwise move on.
Duby reminds me right now of a poor man’s version of Bryan Trottier. A two way player who will do what it takes to win, he just doesn’t have the offensive numbers..yet. Once Torts sinks his teeth into Cally for a full season watch out the kid could be a consistant 30-35 goal scorer. Betts is not replaceable by anyone in the system.
Korpikoski is an intriguing player. He has great speed and showed flashes of brillance in handling the puck. In time he could become a solid second line winger or third line performer. Ranger Reporter is right on, in the economy of today’s NHL he needs to take a paycut to remain a Ranger, although I think the CBA might work against that. Anyone know?
by nomore1940 on May 22, 2009 12:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think 30-35 might be a little optimistic for Dubi, but like I said there is so much more to his game than goal scoring. I could see him in the 20-25 range.
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on May 22, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
Pot him at 20-30 goals and roughly the same in assists. Don’t forget everyone that this entire team played 85% of this season under Tom Renney’s defensive system. Imagine what Dubinsky does under Tortorella, especially since Torts loves him.
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by Joe Fortunato on May 22, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i was happy when jim said “there is so much more to Brandon’s game than goal scoring.”
7th in the NHL in hits this season with 251 (more than ovechkin, seabrook or shea weber)
18th in FO% (53.6%)
amongst the 6 rangers that played in all regular season and playoff games this year.
callahan just had a breakout year so that’s a no-brainer.
he by the way had more hits than dubi :). good for 4th in the league.
yeah i pretty much agree with everything. i got a feeling they’ll try to keep antropov though. we’ll see.
by #17ToTheRafters on May 23, 2009 2:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Little footnote here, we were originally going to run Part II on this tomorrow, but since many of you will be enjoying the long weekend, we will hold it for Tuesday.
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on May 22, 2009 12:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Antropov monster
We need to keep this kid.
We gave up picks to get him, we need to re-sign him.
I agree with everyone, except maybe Betts, but either way on Betts I am ok with.
[img]http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0eTH2sm73rf3u/610x.jpg[/img]
by Peterman700 on May 22, 2009 4:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
come on we lost games 6 and 7 because we didn’t have betts on the ice. he’s the leagues best penalty killer. there will be fan rage if they give him up. plus he won the extra effort award.
by #17ToTheRafters on May 23, 2009 2:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Antropov
Clearly the toughest call is Antropov. Game 7 goal can’t be overlooked. A faster defense and more productive offensive guy has to be a bigger priority. Agree that we’ve already made a steep down payment and team size is always an issue. (I’m assuming that we’re dumping Aaron Voros.)
Is this a good time to pass on (no doubt a fan favorite) Blair Betts who may have had a great walk year. A lot of very unproductive breakaways on those kills. I’m for keeping Betts at a sensible price. His painful absence in Games 6 and 7 will be remembered anytime McCreary visits MSG.
by db19 on May 23, 2009 6:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i would pay Betts
1 million and change a year, without him and the pk we dont make the playoffs
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by Joe Fortunato on May 24, 2009 7:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ughhhhh the agita..........
Gotta find a way to sign Antropov and MUST resign Betts!!!!!!!!! Thats not even an option. And the Rangers are paying around 22 million for three dogs………..gomez, drury, and redden! If Sather isnt the worst gm in all of sports not just hockey, then who is?!!!!!!!!! Somebody please shoot me! im begging you. I cant take it!!!! The agita is relentless! Did u know that Hugh Jessiman is the only player from that draft class not to play at least 1 game in the NHL? THE ONLY PLAYER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ughhhhh the Agita!!!!!!! Who’s got a gun? A loaded gun? Please put me out of my misery. There is no relief in sight. Die Sather Die!!!!!!!!!!!
by giantsNYrangers on Jun 20, 2009 6:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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