Division Rivals Making Moves, Rangers Stand Pat
by Dave Shapiro on Jun 20, 2010 12:57 PM EDT
in NHL News
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PrintThere has been a flurry of activity leading up to the draft, especially in the Atlantic Conference. First, the Flyers acquired the rights to Dan Hamhuis from Nashville in exchange for Ryan Parent, helping shore up their defense. Ironically, Parent was originally a Nashville first round pick in 2005. Hamhuis is coming off the final year of a four year, $8 million deal a contract that paid him $2.5 million last season. Assuming the Flyers sign Hamhuis, and re-sign restricted free agent Brayden Coburn, the Flyers will have one of the best defensive units in the NHL next season with Hamhuis, Coburn, Chris Pronger, Kimmo Timmonen, and Matt Carle.
With Hamhuis on the roster, many are speculating that Jeff Carter could be on his way out via trade. However, the Flyers have $8 million in cap space this year with 17 players under contract. Assuming the Flyers spend smartly on Hamhuis ($3.5 million is a rough estimate of market value), and leverage their RFA negotiating rights on Coburn, it appears they will be able to get all players under contract without trading Carter. As for 2011-2012, the Flyers have $21 million in cap space with 11 players under contract. Carter and Claude Giroux are their main free agents to sign that year (excluding an aging Simon Gagne). Again, it appears they will be just fine with cap space, which is bad news for the Rangers.
Meanwhile, the Devils re-acquired Jason Arnott in exchange for Matt Halischuk and a 2011 second round pick. Arnott is in the final year of a five year, $22.5 million contract, that will pay him $4.5 million (with equal cap hit) next season. Arnott gives the Devils some more depth at center in an attempt to provide Zach Parise with some support for one of the NHL's least potent offenses.
The Rangers have been standing pat thus far this offseason, which comes as no surprise, as most of Glen Sather's moves tend to come at or after the draft. While some will surely have issues with Sather standing pat as division rivals get stronger, personally, I have no problem with it. The Rangers are not a few moves away from contending for a Cup, like the Devils and Flyers. The Rangers need a few years to let prospects develop and to let contracts expire. Patience is the key here.
Salary cap information provided by CapGeek.
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i agree whole heartedly...
our rangers do not need to make any moves except for ridding bad contracts and letting kids play and develop into the stars we hope they will become.
Well, there’s a balance somewhere. Will Lundqvist still be elite when the prospects are all ready to go? I guess for now it’s right to stand pat, but I think the best strategy is probably to wait until the team is middle of the pack good in the East then start going for results.
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Vokoun is 34 and still elite, Brodeur was still elite at 34, Luongo shows no signs of slowing down at 31.
There’s nothing that says Lundqvist won’t be fine by the time all the kids are here.
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by George E. Ays on Jun 20, 2010 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Holy Crap, Luongo is 31? But ya, don’t worry about Hank. Goalies stay alive alot longer, and most become elite in their early thirties.
"Mes que un club"
"You're a pro or you're a noob. That's life"
by Scratch and Snif on Jun 20, 2010 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions
There should be some concern for Hank as he keeps popping up with injuries after seasons – migraines, groin, knee. There has been a lot of wear and tear on our fair King, hopefully this won’t be another 70+ start season …
I have a blog too! www.scottyhockey.com
Let's Go Rangers!
by Scotty Hockey on Jun 20, 2010 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, this one shouldn’t have been a 70+ start season either, thanks to the mismanagement of the roster
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jun 21, 2010 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Everyone has injuries throughout an 82 game season, there shouldn’t be much concern there.
by Dave Shapiro on Jun 21, 2010 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Eleven game packs for now, can’t afford season tickets.
by Dave Shapiro on Jun 21, 2010 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree that we have to be patient but ugghh, next couple years are gonna suck.
by Massi on Jun 20, 2010 1:40 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Im thinking they trade Coburn if they sign Hamhuis. Thought Coburn looked better last year. They need to get rid of Carter or Gagne to create cap room or bring back a number 1 goalie.
If they want a #1 goalie, then they need to go after Nabokov, and Carter or Gagne will go. If they are OK with a piecemeal goaltending system, then they don’t need to shed salary. With that defensive unit, they may not need a #1 goalie, just a capable one.
by Dave Shapiro on Jun 20, 2010 2:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I agree they may not need a number 1 goalie with that D, but to sign Hamhuis someone has to go. Gagne and Carter are scorers shouln’t be too tough to move them, Gagne only has 1 yr left.
Not true. They don’t need to move anyone. They will fit under the cap assuming they keep everything else status quo.
by Dave Shapiro on Jun 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Can the Rangers number 1 pick actually make the team and contribute offensively. I read that the expectation on Nino is that he does one more year in juniors, he is I think the youngest player in the top 50.
While it’d be nice to get the #10 pick in and contributing immediately, Stepan and Grachev will almost certainly start in the A, MZA possibly starts there as well, so allowing all 4 to play together might not be the worst thing in the world.
The only thing it does is leave a roster spot open that Sather might fill outrageously, so in there is a problem.
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by George E. Ays on Jun 20, 2010 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions
that;'s why I don't understand the complaining (not you)
about signing an older player for next year to hold the fort.
Its one thing to bring up the youngins and let em play, but bringing em up a year or 2 before they’re even ready to take lumps can make their development take even longer.
KEEP LEE!!!
by FreeBradshaw on Jun 20, 2010 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think MDZ will start in A considering he had a very good rookie year. Despite his a -20, which can also be attributed to poor defensive team play, MDZ should be prepared to play with more poise and develop a better understanding of positioning. However, it is great that the Rangers will have the option to send him down this season if need be. I think half a season if Hartford would have really boosted his play last season. Anyway, let the competition in the Atlantic get better and the rangers get younger. That scenario can only help the development of the prospects. I think playing in the central division certainly helped the Hawks. When young players have to play elite teams like Detroit and very stiff competition in Nashville and St.Louis, they will certainly raise their games. We seems to have some precocious talent in MDZ, Stephan, Krieder, Werek, etc. I think Scotty hockey (who play runs one of the worst Rangers blogs I’ve ever had the misfortune of reading) mentioned that the rangers should have signed Arnott to beat the out the devils. The devils will only beat themselves with that deal. Arnott is a waning force at 36, as well as a sizable injury risk. If the devils don’t sign Kovi then what? There D is in shambles and Broduer is nearing 40. I’d be worried about Philly and Pitt if anything. And in terms of Hank, he is only 28. If you don’t think he’ll be elite in 4 years you’ve got to be crazy. Goalies usually hit their complete stride by 30. I think any top tier goalie is safe until about 35-36, so long as their is a capable back up in the wings.
by motherpucker on Jun 20, 2010 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions
MZA is not MDZ
MZA is Mats Zuccarello Aasen.
KEEP LEE!!!
by FreeBradshaw on Jun 20, 2010 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Scotty Hockey didn’t say that the Rangers should have signed Arnott, he said they should have tried to trade for him. Arnott was not a free agent.
How many Predator games did you watch last season to say that he is a waning force, may I ask? I caught about 35 or so and can tell you that he is not waning all that much. That team’s issue was the lack of a replacement for Radulov (again), not the decline of Arnott.
And if you find reading me is a misfortune, don’t do it. It is a free internet, I didn’t ask for clueless clowns to read my stuff and bitch about it elsewhere.
I have a blog too! www.scottyhockey.com
Let's Go Rangers!
by Scotty Hockey on Jun 20, 2010 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Scotty, trade/sign whatever, it’s all jumbled in my head right now. But Arnott at 36? Give me a break. We don’t even need Prospal at 34 or 35. I say Matt Lombardi is the only viable guy to add. Besides, we’d have to give up some good prospects for Arnott (and we all know how former devils fare with the Rangers). I can’t say I watched many Nashville games aside from the playoffs and the one I went to at the garden. I’m not gonna to argue your expertise on the preds, but why in the world would we trade for arnott unless it was the trade deadline and we were in a position to add an extra piece of vet depth to an already strong team. I loved Shanny, but after his second year there wasn’t much he could do for this team and vice versa. BTW, I read quite a few of the blogs whether I like them or not. When there is news there is news. There have just been more than a few times that I feel you’re way off target with your analysis. Don’t get your panties in a twist, it’s all good. If the Rangers weren’t so dysfunctional perhaps we’d all be less jaded. And yeah, my bad on the MZA MDZ, I’m totally dyslexic today.
by motherpucker on Jun 20, 2010 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions
There is value in having a veteran presence on a young team, which seems to be the direction you want the Rangers to take (young team). Leadership, experience, etc, rubs off on younger players.
Hockey’s Future says the Rangers have the 2nd deepest prospect pool in the league (or something high like that). They sure can afford to give something up. Ironically NJD is probably the team that shouldn’t be trading away prospects because they’re so thin (then again, Brodeur is not going to be around for much longer).
And you should know that Nashville’s lack of offense is the every Predators fan’s pet peeve. Poile is great at getting value out of his team (low salary, lots of wins) and drafts defensemen excellently but that always leaves the offense lacking (and he ends up trading good guys to Philly…).
Scotty Hockey is also really highly regarded by the general hockey community. I can’t say how good it is from a Rangers fan perspective, but it is pretty good from an outsider.
And low blow to criticize it on BSB. No point and uncalled for.
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by red army line on Jun 21, 2010 4:24 AM EDT up reply actions
I wouldn’t say it’s a low blow to criticize anyone on BSB. Who cares? I’m not the one with the “highly regarded” blog defending myself by calling someone a “clueless clown.” I didn’t say anything offensive. I merely criticized a point I disagreed with and singled out a blog that I’m not too fond of based on a dissenting opinions. A lot of bloggers are highly regarded in every community, doesn’t mean they can’t be criticized or are as good as people say they are. All opinion. I personally find this blog and rangers tribune to be the most intelligent and informative ones. That’s just me. I mean no offense to SH, I’m just not really a fan, but I’ll read his stuff b/c I like to hear what everyone has to say.
by motherpucker on Jun 21, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions
in the words of Randy Marsh
“I thought this was America! I thought this was a free country!”
….and I thought bloggers had thicker skins than paid journos….maybe not. All that daily traffic can go to a fellow’s head, I guess.
Prole art threat.
by greifi griffie on Jun 21, 2010 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
From Larry Brooks....
The Rangers were in trade talks with the Predators regarding Jason Arnott before the center was dealt to New Jersey, Slap Shots has learned.
An impeccable source reports that Nashville turned to Lou Lamoriello once Sather refused to yield the rights to Wisconsin senior defenseman Ryan McDonagh, whom the Blueshirts are attempting to sign for the coming season.
Seems to me that Montreal GM Pierre Gauthier didn’t so much choose Carey Price over Jaroslav Halak as he chose against committing a long-term, lucrative contract to Halak as the long-term answer in Montreal’s net.
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jun 20, 2010 8:05 PM EDT reply actions
Sather is a brilliant man.
who knew?
KEEP LEE!!!
by FreeBradshaw on Jun 20, 2010 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Can’t beat Sather in the trade market, he’s never really killed us, though Boyle for a 3rd was a bit of a flesh wound. As mleetch has often said, “Sather’s the Cashman of trades, the Minaya of free agents.”
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by George E. Ays on Jun 20, 2010 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Only because no one knew anything about European players back then.
by Dave Shapiro on Jun 21, 2010 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
its a sad state of affairs.........these Rangers.
And i have to agree with this post……..let teams in our division get better. Allow the kids to grow and develop while taking they’re lumps. Enough with Sathers band-aid remedies to try and fix this team. For gods sake trade up in the draft, grab Nino and acquire other young talent and DONT DO ANYTHING come july 1st and take our time………..it’s the only way.
by giantsNYrangers on Jun 20, 2010 8:42 PM EDT reply actions
yup yup patience
unless somehow thay can get a real #1 Center and another top scorer…“Patience” is the key.
"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"
While Hamhuis is a relative steal of the Flyers and definitely makes their defense deeper, I’m not going to be THAT afraid of them until they finally realize that the Leighton/Boucher/retread goaltenders of the world are not going to backstop them to a Stanley Cup. But if they DO figure that out, I’m a little more frightened.
On the good note, Pronger and Timmonen continue to get old.
Yeah..be worried if the Hamhuis move was designed to give them flexibility to trade guys like Coburn and get into the Vokoun sweepstakes.
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by George E. Ays on Jun 21, 2010 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s been 25 years since the Flyers had a good goalie, the late Pelle Lindbergh.
Going by their track record, I seriously doubt this is the year they figure that fact out.
Speaking of Pronger getting old, isn’t it great knowing that in a year or two Pronger’s terrible ‘over 35 year old’ contract will make Wade Redden’s contract look decent? The guy is already a pylon (granted a very mean pylon) and he still has six more seasons at $4.92M per season.
At least the Rangers have options to get out from under Wade … the Flyers are stuck with Pronger until 2017
Hextall led the league in sv% (at .902, lol), won the Vezina and Conn Smythe in 87, which is only 23 years. He was 1st in GAA and 3rd in sv% in 1995-96, which is only 14 yrs ago.
Though I guess if you want to say he wasn’t good, that’s allowed. He is a Flyer after all.
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by George E. Ays on Jun 21, 2010 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Pronger does not have an over-35 contract. The cap hit will not stay with the Flyers when he retires.
by Dave Shapiro on Jun 21, 2010 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Dave, Cap Geek lists Pronger’s contract as a +35. If I remember correctly, the league ruled that Pronger’s contract extension is indeed a +35 deal since the extension did not go into effect until after Pronger turned 35.
Good points on Hextall, Smurf. I know the numbers say Hextall was pretty good those years, but man I just seem to remember him being pretty miserable. Maybe I’m mixing the Flyers era Hextall with the Islanders era Hextall.
It’s weird to look at goalie numbers back then, a 3.00 was good 3rd best in the league in 1987. It’s just a different game. I was only 9 in 1987, but I always remembered Hextall being pretty good.
We did wreck Hextall’s Isles pretty good though.
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by George E. Ays on Jun 21, 2010 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I was 3 in 1987, but the 80s showed that goalies were really behind the science of sports curve. It caught up in the 90s.
by Dave Shapiro on Jun 21, 2010 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, but no one is really certain what is going on. The CBA has some very open-ended language: “’All Player Salary and Bonuses earned in a League Year by a Player who is in the second or later year of a multi-year SPC which was signed when the player was 35 or older”
The deal was signed before Pronger turned 35, but it isn’t in effect until he is 35. The CBA clearly states “when the contract was signed”, so it’s a bit up in the air. This will become an issue when he retires.
by Dave Shapiro on Jun 21, 2010 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions
By holding off on a ruling until Pronger retires, it looks like the league is hoping the new CBA resolves this issue for them, instead of making a decision that will embarrass Flyers GM Paul Holmgren. So nice of the league to sweep one of Holmgren’s mistakes under the carpet. It would be nice if the Rangers were allowed to sweep Redden’s albatross of a contract under that same carpet.
To me, it sounds pretty cut and dry. The “extension” is actually a new contract that doesn’t go into effect until July 1 of this year, his current contract expires at the end of this month. Since Pronger is already 35 that would mean his new contract is a multi-year contract for an over 35 player. The Flyers made a huge mistake and should recognize Pronger’s average salary on their cap through 2017.
It’s not that cut and dry. The verbiage clearly states when the contract was signed, and not when it goes into effect. Based on the current verbiage of the CBA, the Flyers have a legitimate case for having Pronger’s cap hit come off the books.
In fact, I would bet money that Pronger’s salary cap comes off the books when he retires.
by Dave Shapiro on Jun 21, 2010 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope not. I don’t need a reason to hate the Flyers even more.
by Lunkwill Fook on Jun 22, 2010 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions
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| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New York Rangers
|
49 | 32 | 12 | 5 | 69 |
|
Philadelphia
|
50 | 30 | 14 | 6 | 66 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
51 | 29 | 18 | 4 | 62 |
|
New Jersey
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|
New York Islanders
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50 | 21 | 22 | 7 | 49 |
(updated 2.4.2012 at 8:30 AM EST)
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Washington
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