Keep or Dump? - Part I
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.