Keep or Dump? - Part II
by Rob L on May 26, 2009 7:00 AM EDT
in New York Rangers Analysis
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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 the last part and six more coming here; all in alphabetical order.
- Paul Mara
2008-2009 Salary: 1.95 Mil.
2008-2009 Salary Cap Hit: 1.95 Mil.
Situation: UFA
Jrs1940 says:
This was a tough one. I actually typed "dump", and then after I thought about it I eventually changed my decision. This is going to be a very tough decision for the Rangers, as there are some good young defensemen on the way up through the Rangers system, and Mara could be squeezed out in a numbers game. But, I think the reason he could go is the same reason he SHOULD stay: The Rangers have young defensemen on the way, and Mara has been the Rangers go-to guy to partner with the kids (Staal, Potter, and Sauer have all teamed with Mara). If he will sign at a reasonable price, I think he should be back.
Decision: Keep
- Derek Morris
2008-2009 Salary: 3.95 Mil.
2008-2009 Salary Cap Hit: 3,916,667 Mil.
Situation: UFA
TheSchwab (Rob) says:
When the Rangers traded for Derek Morris from Phoenix, I really liked the trade. I have nothing against him, but for some reason he just did not cut the grade for me in his short time with the Rangers. Morris has a great physical frame at 6 foot and 220 pounds, but I didn't see him use it enough as he should. His skating is average or above average, and because of it he struggles to get into the right positions to unleash the solid shot he possesses. Plus, what pains me the most is that he makes nearly 4 Mil; and although his asking price should come down for next season, I can't validate spending around 3 Mil for a depth defenseman (But Sather probably will).
Decision: Dump
- Colton Orr
2008-2009 Salary: 550 K
2008-2009 Salary Cap Hit: 537,500 K
Situation: UFA
Tmranger says:
The one game that Colton Orr does not play in happened to be the same one that Donald Brashear takes a few liberties with Blair Betts and nearly loses his head. Coincidence? The Rangers also didn't lose many players to injuries this season. Coincidence? For just above the league minimum, the Rangers can sign the baddest dog on the block. Over the past two seasons, Orr has evolved into something more than just an enforcer. He can now play solid fourth line minutes without being a huge liability. There is no real reason not to re-sign Orr.
Decision: Keep
- Fredrik Sjostrom
2008-2009 Salary: 840 K
2008-2009 Salary Cap Hit: 840 K
Situation: RFA*
TheSchwab says:
To me, Fredrik Sjostrom is a player I can't live with and can't live without. He works just as hard as anyone on the ice at any single moment, and is always solid in his own zone not to mention his contributions on the penalty kill. At the same time, he has limited offensive upside (His 13 points is 10 below the league average of 23) because of his north-south skating mentality. Do the pros outweigh the cons? I think they do, but only for the right price. Nothing more than a Million, maybe 1.15, Slats.
Decision: Keep*
- Stephen Valiquette
2008-2009 Salary: 725 K
2008-2009 Salary Cap Hit: 725 K
Situation: UFA
Tmranger says:
Valiquette has already re-signed for the 2009-2010 season (725 K; I believe it's for one year). He has proved to be a very capable backup and has a good relationship with Henrik Lundqvist; what more can you ask for?
Decision: Kept
- Nikolai Zherdev
2008-2009 Salary: 3.25 Mil.
2008-2009 Salary Cap Hit: 2.5 Mil.
Situation: RFA*
Ranger Reporter says:
Zherdev is probably the hardest decision when it comes to the keep or dump game. Basically there are two sides of the fence, and very little room in between. On the one hand you have the facts that he consistently takes games off at a time, he was literally pointless in the post season, and he doesn't seem to have any desire to push himself. On the other hand he is 24 years young, he is absolutely brimming with talent, and was a key to the Rangers-already very minimal-offense last year. In my personal opinion he is way too young and too talented to not give a harder and longer look. Sign him to a 3 or 4 year deal and then even if he doesn't work out he could be trade bait.
Decision: Keep - (Also, take a look at tmranger's look at Zherdev from Thursday for more)
So that ends the two part Keep or Dump series focusing on the Rangers Free Agent players. What do you think of the decisions in Part II? Too much keeping and not enough players out on the curb? If most of these players are kept, is this a good core to keep building around for the Rangers? Would you fight Colton Orr looking like that (in the picture above) for a Million dollars? Have at it, Blueshirt Faithful.
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Sjostrom
I love this kid’s game, he may be the fastest Ranger on skates, and he’s become a big part of the penalty kill. I think he has a little more offensive ability than we’ve seen, hopefully the Rangers will keep him, and find a way to get him on the ice a little more.
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on May 26, 2009 7:50 AM EDT reply actions
It looks like Jordan Owens might be taking his spot in the lineup
..with the way Torts coaches i don’t think the Rangers are going to pay a premium for a fourth liner when they can use Owens for league min.
So I should cancel my order for a Sjostrom jersey?
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on May 26, 2009 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Agree with all these
I still aint sure about Zherdev, but you can’t really knock him cuz he was at the top with scoring on the team.
Id love to sign and trade Zherdev however if possible. Is it? Zherdev, 1st rounder +insert prospect’s name for ……..
Sjostrom = Ortmeyer
Similair type players and the Rangers wanted more offense out of Ortmeyer, so they let him walk and only paid him around $700,000. I can’t see paying Sjostrom more then that for speed and penalty kill duty. There are guys who can kill penalties on this team and Torts is of the mindset similair to Keenan, ride your best players in all siuations. Cally and Duby can kill penalties. Then again if I were so smart I’d be a head coach….
I agree for the most part. Z is the only contestable player on the list. Morris should be allowed to walk. We have too many young d-men licking their chops for a chance to play at the nhl level. I’d rather keep Mara for 1.5 mil. Mara is a calming presence and can certainly work well with the young upcoming d-men. Meanwhile, Sjo is a great depth player with some untapped offensive potential. However, he is disposable considering this team’s cap situation.. It will come down to him or Betts, in which case I’d rather keep Betts for his natural defensive prowess. Dubi, Calli, Drury, and Korp can kill penalties as well. Orr is a keeper. He will be cheap and provides a good dose of aggression and toughness. This team certainly needs that element. Though Z is still very young, I do not ever see him living up to his potential. While skillful, he is way to bi-polar in his approach to the game. I can see Z having a few breakout years followed by duds (similar to Kovalev). I’d rather give Anisimov and grachev a chance while attempting to add a proven goal scorer.
Mara
Mara’s position is an interesting one. I was thinking about what has been said about his seemingly calming influence on the younger defensemen. He also displays the team first attitude that wins over fans. He does take some ill-advised penalties, but some of them have been in defense of a teammate, I’ll take that most anyday. He reminds me of what Jason Strudwick was to the Rangers a few years back. I just wish he would shoot more, he has one of those heavy slap-shots that suprises you.
You're right about Mara
expect the whole shooting thing.
He does shoot, but whenever he does he shows you why he shouldn’t….he rarely hits the net.
by FreeBradshaw on May 27, 2009 7:37 AM EDT up reply actions
More on Mara
He’s so slooooooooooooooow. There’s a tendency to lionize anyone on the team who actually scored a goal last year (and Mara had a big one). I would vote to ceremoniously DUMP.
I would keep Freddie, however, who is a little pricey at 1mm per for penalty killing but he showed the sort of passion that certain people, and they make in the mid-30 million dollar range, tend to lack. I would KEEP Freddie.
For Z-less potential than Kovie and a complete enigma. Good October but he really disappeared in the playoffs. I’m not sure we need an encore. Let’s try something else and DUMP Z.
Sjostrom
Actually took a pay cut to be signed here at one point. He would prob do it again being that he likes it here. Also Torts likes him alot too. He should stay but we need goals, no question.
I didnt see Blair Betts on this list, he is a UFA.
I also agree with this list. Mara has been a warrior, although Morris I like alot, he’s not worth what he’s asking for, and Zherdev can go if we get another player to fill his shoes.
Obviously some big moves I would be okay with is finding a new home for Redden and maybe Gomez.
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Atlantic Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New York Rangers
|
53 | 35 | 13 | 5 | 75 |
|
Philadelphia
|
55 | 31 | 17 | 7 | 69 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
55 | 31 | 19 | 5 | 67 |
|
New Jersey
|
55 | 31 | 20 | 4 | 66 |
|
New York Islanders
|
54 | 23 | 23 | 8 | 54 |
(updated 2.12.2012 at 8:46 AM EST)
Rangers Schedule
Next 5 Games
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@
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|
Tue 02/14 | 7:00 PM EST |
|
Chicago
|
Thu 02/16 | 7:00 PM EST |
|
Columbus
|
Sun 02/19 | 8:00 PM EST |
|
@
Pittsburgh
|
Tue 02/21 | 7:00 PM EST |
|
@
New York Islanders
|
Fri 02/24 | 7:00 PM EST |
Last 5 Games
|
Washington
|
Sun 02/12 | W 3 - 2 |
|
@
Philadelphia
|
Sat 02/11 | W 5 - 2 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
Thu 02/09 | OT - W 4 - 3 |
|
New Jersey
|
Tue 02/07 | L 0 - 1 |
|
Philadelphia
|
Sun 02/05 | W 5 - 2 |
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