Richards Or Marleau Could Be Rangers Targets
by John Merrigan on Jul 2, 2009 10:00 AM EDT
in New York Rangers Analysis
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Not that I would like the Rangers to be interested in either center, it's very likely that they will make a phone call or too to check the availability of Richards and Marleau. There have been rumors that Patrick Marleau was being shopped by the Sharks as they are trying to revamp their roster and make changes. Brad Richards is coming off a seson where he broke his wrist and then broke his left hand almost immediately after returning to lineup. He obviously has a history with Tortorella and for the right price the Stars could move him after they had an awful season. The question for the Stars though is whether or not they think they're a bad team or just had a bad year.
With the Rangers seemingly out of the running for Heatley, the assets that would have been flipped for him can be used on Richards or Marleau. Despite a large cap hit at $7.8 million, Richards only has two seasons remaining on his contract. A trade for Richards would most definitely send Michal Rozsival as part of the package to the Stars. They were rumored to have almost traded for him during the season. Marleau has a cap hit of $6.3 and has one year left.
I'd rather the Rangers sit back and give Dubinsky and Anisimov a shot at centering Gaborik. But I guess this is New York and the attitude is win now or go home. Then again, Sather did sign Brashear and he did sign Gaborik so who knows what he's planning on doing
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Hey my first post
Back on topic, I have to agree at what point do the young guys actually get a shot. They have a plethera of young centers they can’t all be bad right? Right?
I’d much rather see Anisimov and Dubinsky get a shot. I mean Dubinsky was the best center on the team with Drury and Gomez for Jagr two seasons ago when he was a rook. He’s capable of handling that responsibility and I dont want to see him go in a deal for either of these guys.
It’s just speculation, nothing more, nothing less, but I think it could make sense for our fearless leader
by John Merrigan on Jul 2, 2009 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions
As Ive said before on this site, I would trade Drury for Marleau in a heartbeat. Basically the same player, with a shorter and slightly cheaper contract.
Neither one of these moves would preclude giving Dubinsky/Anisimov a chance at centering the 1st line – Richards could be the second line center to replace Gomez (and should be a better PP performer than anyone on the team currently), and if he’s not part of a deal going back to the other team, Drury can fall back to where he belongs – 3rd line center with key special teams roles.
Glen Sather is a Hockey Genius.
http://glensathersucks.com/
http://twitter.com/ThGeneralissimo
I wouldnt touch Richards unless we somehow got rid of Redden in the deal. He’s making even more money than Gomez to be basically the same player. How exactly is that upgrading the team? I like Marleau a lot better for that money and only a year left on his contract.
I want Anisimov/Dubinsky to prove themselves capable of being a #1 center as much as anyone, but the fact is that neither has proven it yet, and thus we should not count on them to do it now. If they do prove it, awesome, then we have great center depth on all 4 lines, and Marleau will be gone next year. That’d be a great deal if they can swing it.
I don't like either of these guys
Richards might be Ok cuz he played with Torts before, pairing him with Gabby could be deadly.
Marleau might be the better option, mainly cuz his contract is only one year left.
Marleau should go back to C again, but who knows what will happen with that.
I don’t like the idea of trading Drury for him tho, who mans the PK?
as a player i like Richards a lot more, he’s a much better version of Gomez in that he’s bigger and can actually put the puck in the net. but in terms of contract and what it means for the Rangers, marleau is the better option.
sather said it himself that he’s talked about centers with some gm’s – my guess is one of the guys they could be targeting
by John Merrigan on Jul 2, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions
What i think is...
Personally I think that They will try Drury in the middle of Zherdev and Gaborik and then pending on how Anisimov looks move him into that slot. I don’t want to mess with the chemstry that Dubinsky and Callahan have so I am leaving them with each other and adding Higgins to their. They are like a checking line that will light the lamp like crazy. I could easily see the three of them all scoring at least 20 this season. So my next years lines look like this…
Zherdev-Drury-Gaborik
Higgins-Dubinsky-Callahan
Korpikoski-Anisimov-Avery
Byers-Boyle-Brashear
the PP1 Unit
Zherdev-Drury-Gaborik
Girardi
the PP2
Higgins-Dubinsky-Callahan
Roszival
Del Zotto (later on in the season)
Rangers need another good forward
First, I really think Slats needs to focus on protecting himself from offer sheet possibilities regarding Dubinsky and Callahan. Although the chances of an offer sheet are pretty remote considering the league’s cap situation as well as scorn from the other GM’s, Sather must takeprecautions to ensure neither sign elsewhere forcing the Rangers to match – it could really hurt the cap situation.
Regarding Richards or Marleau, I think Marleau makes more sense: cheaper salary, 1-y left on contract. Personally, I would love to see Dubinsky or Anisimov center Gaborik, but that seems pretty unlikely. People forget that Anisimov lacks any significant NHL experience whatsoever. Dubinsky played well with Jagr and will play well with Gaborik, but if Gaborik suffers an injury (which based on his past history is pretty likely) then the Rangers are left without any other offensive force. None of these guys are capable of carrying the offense – we saw that last year when the team suffered during the Scott Gomez injury. Marleau, Richards, or even Tanguay would provide a little more stability up front just in case Gaborik goes down.
I think the Rangers are definitely going to make a move for another player. It won’t be Heatley or Vinny, but I think we can expect another borderline all-star suiting up for the Rangers next year; if only for an insurance policy in the case that Gaborik goes down. Marleau, and his one-year deal, makes all the sense in the world.
"Never surrender opportunity for security."
--Branch Rickey
Very good points
I agree they need to get someone else just in case (GOD FORBID) Gabby goes down. Then it’s back to scoring one goal a game and asking the King to walk on water.
by DarthRichter on Jul 2, 2009 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions
One must also wonder if Frolov from LA is a possibility; he’s obviously not a center, but is in the final year of his contract.
"Never surrender opportunity for security."
--Branch Rickey
i’ve mentioned frolov before. i really like him but i’m not sure what the asking price will be for him. he has a real low cap hit for the production
by John Merrigan on Jul 2, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Frolov
would be as costly in prospects as Heatley, but Id assume it would be close.
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 2, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I have talked about both these options for 2 days
Marleau for Rozy nets us a stop gap first line (not number 1) center and guarantees us some salary relief next year, but makes this years cap tighter. I think Marleau is the more likely to flop under the pressure of NY, but its a 1 year risk that might be worth taking.
Richards is not more expensive salary wise than marleau if we dump zherdev’s 3.25 million with him cause then it is a salary savings, which becomes a wash when we have to bring up a youngster to fill the other roster spot. Richards with 2 years left might be less attractive but i believe is the better playmaker. Richards could let drury play as he did with briere where he is a roamer who snipes and improve his goal production by 5-10 goals. I prefer Richards as a player for this team, but people who want the shorter option in marleau i can understand that.
i don’t think the sharks take rozy for marleau though, especially becase they re-signed blake
by John Merrigan on Jul 2, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Contract talks between Nash and CBJ not going well, how pretty would he look in Blue?
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jul 2, 2009 11:15 AM EDT reply actions
phenomenal...they said they would offer him 10 years and only offered him 5
by Michael Gleich on Jul 2, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions
if grachev doesnt make the team this year imagine going from all those years of no big power forward type players to 2 in one year
by Michael Gleich on Jul 2, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions
dont think it will happen
but if we can dump rozi the idea of bringing in kovalev for 1 year to be our 1st line playmaker with Drury and Gaborik really appeals to me. I know Kovalev is a head case, but with his vision our power play would drastically improve and the things he could do to make Drury and Gaborik’s jobs easier is intriguing. he had an offer of about 4.4 mil a year that the canadiens pulled back after they went on their binge. trade rozi for picks and a prospect maybe and give kovalev his deal for 1 year.
Yikes, Kovalev and Zherdev on the same team? What’s Russian for “Xanax”?
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jul 2, 2009 11:27 AM EDT reply actions
agree it is a scary proposition but so is relying on marleau as a number 1 in the pressure cooker of NY after he stuggles with criticism in SJ.
by Michael Gleich on Jul 2, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions
struggles, sorry.
same 1 year proposition…works great, doesnt you move on and can get rid of both of them if Zherdev is still even in the NHL.
by Michael Gleich on Jul 2, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Marleau
i would love to see patty wear blue, but if you look how he was in SJ… hes a quiet guy and when out of the spotlight he can really thrive. once thornton came and took some light off of him and fed him the puck, he put up a career year last season. however, critics have said he kind of fell of the wagon for a bit because he didnt respond to the angry agressive coaching type that was ron wilson, and is johnny torts. it would be real interesting to see how it would play out, and for a one year experiment…. why the hell not?
Antropov to Atlanta???
Antropov just singed in Atlanta for a four year 4 million per deal…….so much for the 5.5 million he was looking for
koivu
koivu expecting decision on wilds offer sometime today. would be kinda cool seeing him rip it up with brother miko over there.
haha, i dont really like what theyre doing up there in minny..
im glad sather showed some restraint and didnt re-sign antro.. wonder wats going on with morris?
by John Merrigan on Jul 2, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
My question is: why would Koivu need to mull a two-year deal to play with his brother in Minny? Shouldn’t it be an automatic at this stage in his life/career?
"Never surrender opportunity for security."
--Branch Rickey
This big question is how the Antropov signing affects Kovalchuk’s future – does it give him some incentive to remain in Atlanta if the tandem proves successful? Personally, I think he’ll test the market next offseason as in all likelihood he’ll only have this opportunity once in his career (in his prime), but its an interesting situation.
"Never surrender opportunity for security."
--Branch Rickey
Steve Zipay (Newsday) is speculating on his twitter that the Rangers are hunting for a center and might be in on Koivu.
"Never surrender opportunity for security."
--Branch Rickey
i like koivu as a guy, but i dont think that he solves the issue we have at center as he isnt better than what we have.
by Michael Gleich on Jul 2, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions
please no, unless its one year.. please please no
by John Merrigan on Jul 2, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Puzzle pieces
The puzzle is almost complete…. Sather just needs to take out a piece that doesn’t belong and find the TWO that are missing. I.e. one trade, one signing. That’s what i’m expecting.
Agreed. Koivu would be a nice 3rd line center if we didn’t have Drury, but he doesn’t solve any of the potential issues mentioned by several people above (powerplay, scoring, insurance).
"Never surrender opportunity for security."
--Branch Rickey
koivu said he was sleeping on his decision, but I really don’t think the Rangers will, or should get him. He might be the best centerman out there in unrestricted free agency compared to the remaining players, but, I mean the guy is 35 and has been declining in stats over the past three seasons. Let alone up and down stats for the three years prior.
I wonder if Sather moves Rozsival if Sergei Zubov (more expensive) or even Chris Chelios might be a possibility. Obviously Chelios doesn’t bring that much to the table, but his experience might be very helpful to some of the young d-men that make the team.
"Never surrender opportunity for security."
--Branch Rickey
I’m not saying he should receive quality minutes; but it might not be a bad idea for the third defensive pairing. You can’t expect Sather to move Rozsival and not replace him with another veteran. I keep running the numbers and the cap situation is not good, especially if Slats plans on re-upping Zherdev, Callahan, Dubinsky, and Korpikoski. It seems that Korpikoski might have to be the odd man out here. This team still has serious cap issues and probably can’t afford to bring in anyone too expensive at this point in time.
"Never surrender opportunity for security."
--Branch Rickey
Rangers Report
“Sather also said that he thinks Dubinsky could be a No. 1 center, but that he will still be looking to add players, maybe as soon as tomorrow. He is also confident he has enough cap space left to sign Dubinsky, Callahan, and even Nik Zherdev; and to ward off any potential—albeit unlikely—offer sheets to any of his restricted free agents.”
And there you have it.
Run the numbers:
http://www.capgeek.com/cap_calculator.php?Team=22
I have a hard time believing Slats can get all of these guys signed; especially if he plans on bringing in another center.
"Never surrender opportunity for security."
--Branch Rickey
Slats definitely has something else up his sleeve.
"Never surrender opportunity for security."
--Branch Rickey
i ran the numbers too
giving dubinsky and callahan each 2-2.5 mil, and raising the prices of Higgins, Boyle, and Zherdev to even 2, 1, and 3 mil respectively, plus counting in any bonus’ for the players, and not counting Rozy assuming we trade him for a equal if not 1 mil more player, we still have betwen 2, and 3 million in cap space. We have the room.
dubinsky probably only gets the 15% increase he’s due. callahan will get a contract with a 2 mill cap hit most likely
by John Merrigan on Jul 2, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions
i ran the numbers
if you bring zherdev, rozy, redden all back…korpo 1 mil, dubi and cally 2.5 on long term 4-5 year deals, boyle 750K, gilroy 1.75 mil and 1 850K d prospect (sauer, sangs, mdz, hekk-whatever) its 55.7 mil. if he brings in a center Rozi has to go and maybe Zherdev with him and it can be done. If he dumps rozy and brings back mara for 2 mil he has 3 mil to spend somewhere else…there are options.
trading rozi and zherdev would free 8.25 mil for said center or other things…whatever sather is planning.
by Michael Gleich on Jul 2, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
around $3 million to spend with some tweeks to the roster. i think rozy gets moved, but most likely salary is coming back the other way if he does. id like to keep zherdev at this point tho
by John Merrigan on Jul 2, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions
At this point I am personally hoping that the Rangers stay put unless they get rid of Roszival to make way to keep Mara. I like Zherdev on the first line with Gaborik. The two are dripping with talent and I think with Dubinski up front you have a legitimate first line. Dubinski has some skill himself and I think that Zherdev is going to grow up one of these days and start playing to his potential.
For me just about the only way that I would want to Rangers to make a move in the forward position would be to get Phil Kessel. They guy is really, really good and young enough that he can be part of the Rangers core for the future. Who honestly thinks Kessel, Cally, Dubi, Staal, Grachev, and Del Zotto does not make for one scary core or young players in the next few years? With a healthy Gaborik in the picture, that is one potent team.
all i have to say is first Rozi would need to be gone cause Kessel wants over 5 mil. As an RFA he would cost a 1, 2, 3 and if you are going to go after him you better have Dubi and Cally locked up or retribution will be had or others will attempt to poach them. also if you bring in kessel do we really need to pay 3.25 for Zherdev’s potential anymore?
by Michael Gleich on Jul 2, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
it is intriguing to think in two years you have a top 6 of Gaborik, Dubi, Kessel, Cally, Grachev, Artem…with a 3rd line of Higgins, Avery and Drury
by Michael Gleich on Jul 2, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I think you have to stay away from Kessel
talented yes.
5.5 mil + 1,2,3 round picks?? Nah.
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 2, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions
well if someone signs Zherdev we would get a 1st and 3rd i believe so net a 2nd rounder to move up from Zherdev to Kessel isnt so bad
by Michael Gleich on Jul 2, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
agree
most important thing for me right now is seeing actual new long term deals for Dubi and Cally
by Michael Gleich on Jul 2, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Agree that it is sorta a dream scenario and that Zherdev would have to go to make it work. The way I look at it is not signing an RFA but can the Rangers trade Zherdev + a prospect and/or pick for Kessel. The Bruins could save some money and still get a talented player in such a deal.
The Cap wizards would have to work their magic but I for one would welcome kessel with open arms. Otherwise I am a fan Zherdev and do think he has 70-80 pt seasons in him
Tweet from Stan Fischler....take it as you will
StanFischler:Glen Sather tells me he still has some “balls in the air,” which means that something Rangers-wise could be in the works today or tomorrow.
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jul 2, 2009 1:00 PM EDT reply actions
is that like actual contracts
or just the rights news from the other day?
by Michael Gleich on Jul 2, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions
do i have a link to what? the report 4 days ago that they got qualified?
by Michael Gleich on Jul 2, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions
it was by some random joe named Rangerland. There is no truth yet. Wyshynski didn’t even comment on it, neither did any of the bloggers/twitterers/analysts. But God do i hope that this is true, so we can focus on other things.
Rangerland? Traitor. LOL
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jul 2, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Rumor on the “tweets” about Kovalev going to Washington????
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jul 2, 2009 1:20 PM EDT reply actions
now that is really scary
kovalev and knuble are big upgrades over federov and whomever else
by Michael Gleich on Jul 2, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m really surprised that nothing has been mentioned about Tanguay – to any team.
"Never surrender opportunity for security."
--Branch Rickey
as long as were not involved idc. hes the last thing they need
by John Merrigan on Jul 2, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions
didnt say he wasnt
that is what is left on his deal…trades have been mentioned here for lots of players…just another option maybe
by Michael Gleich on Jul 2, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions
pass, dont want another naslund like deal.
by John Merrigan on Jul 2, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions
they need a d-man to replace ohlund we need a playmaker for gaborik. rozi for demitra makes fine sense for us as we save 1 million bucks and we get out 2 years early.
by Michael Gleich on Jul 2, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Development camp news from today
From Andrew Gross:
“He reports that 2008 draftees, Michael Del Zotto. Derek Stepan, Evgeny Grachev and Tomas Kundratek have all been impressive in their different areas.
* Del Zotto displays the same type of poise that Marc Staal shows but his puck handling needs to improve a little.
* Stepan shows good anticipation in the offensive and defensive zones.
* Grachev is a great skater with a nose for the net.
* Kundratek showed good puck moving skills and displayed a hard shot while paired with Del Zotto.
During a penalty shot drill near the end of practice, all the players but Grachev tried to pull fancy moves. Instead Grachev just skated in and beat Cornell goalie Ben Scrivens."
That is what i personally love most about watching Grachev. he has the skills to make fancy plays but all he cares about putting the puck in the net whether it is pretty or not. It sounds like he has been excellent in this camp and might have a legit shot at making the team out of camp. If he and MDZ were ready to go with Gilroy and Artem then this teams cap situation looks a lot better as we have cheap players but not just to be stop gaps but to grow and develop into our future key players.
I was going to put this up a little later on, thanks!
Gross had some great things to say about Grachev, gets my monkey wiggling
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jul 2, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
sorry, Jim. didnt mean to burst your bubble but there was news from yesterdays scrimmages he had too that we didnt talk about with all the free agency hoopla, so maybe you can do a complete run down of camp and thoughts on whether you think that performances and statements from sather and torts this week will make it more likely players there or other young players in the system make the team out of camp. i would be interested in those thoughts cause i figure with our cap tightness depending on future moves we are looking at 4 players that werent in the nhl last year (more that a couple games max) being on our team out of camp. Right now i think those are guys like Artem, Gilroy, one other D and maybe byers if korpo is a 3rd line winger. if those 4 turn out to be Artem, Gilroy, Grachev and MDZ this team is in a much different place imo. thanks for all your hard work.
by Michael Gleich on Jul 2, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh no worries, feel free to post any information you find. This site isn’t just about me, its for all of us
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jul 2, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
this week
just waiting for that one move to make us all either shake our heads or smile. oh yea, it’ll come.
FYI: Leafs re-sign RFA Mikael Grabovski for 3-y, $8.7M ($2.9 per). Grabovski had 20G, 28A in 78 games last season.
Callahan had 22G, 18A in 81 games last year and Dubinsky 13G, 28A in 82 games last season. I think we can expect somewhere between $2.2-2.6 per yr for each.
"Never surrender opportunity for security."
--Branch Rickey
as i have said
4 years 10 mil for both cally and dubi
by Michael Gleich on Jul 2, 2009 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions
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New York Rangers
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Philadelphia
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