Ok, so even as an Islanders fan, I wanted to take a look at what could happen with the Rangers this offseason. They are in a tight spot cap wise with that top line and Adam Fox taking up a ton of their cap, and they need to get very creative to try and put together a team to try and build off their success this year. So let's get creative!
TRADES
-They're limited in what they can do and based on what's out there - I think a JT Miller reunion would work well for them, though. He can slide right into the 2C slot vacated by Ryan Strome and hopefully learn how to hit an open net. With the DeBrincat trade only 24 hours old, I think it limits Vancouver's return on this deal if they move him - but giving up an NHL-ready RHD, a big power forward prospect, and a future 1st feel like good value for this deal. If you think the Rangers have to throw in an extra mid-round pick for the retention, so be it - I think it would be more than worth it for this team.
SIGNINGS
-Not a lot of room to play with! Gotta bridge Kakko - I think 2x$2M is fair based on his performance to date. Thankfully he's the only RFA that needs a raise right now. For the UFAs, I think bringing back Tyler Motte on a $2M AAV to play anywhere you need him on the bottom 6 is good value, and you don't really want to spend a ton on a backup goalie if Igor's gonna soak up 60ish starts next year. Kinkaid is a good soldier and a local boy, so give him 2x$900K to keep the seat warm for Dylan Garand (it's also super easy to bury that deal if he falls apart!)
The big thing with this team, to me, is figuring out the margins. Your D pairs are all set, but you're going to want to shelter the hell out of that 3rd pair while they get their feet wet. LW & Center are set, too - I think Panarin-Krieder-Goodrow-Motte is a strong LW depth chart, and Mika-JTM-Chytil give you 3 very good centers to work with. I gave Gustav Rydahl the 4C spot cuz I can't really picture a 28 year old coming over from Sweden on a cheap deal without the promise of playing time.
That just leaves RW - the hardest part of this team to figure out. I figured Laf should get some time on the 1st line because you need him to live up to that draft billing. Kravstov is RW2 because why not? No idea where he would slide in. Kakko is RW3 because he had good chemistry with Chytil and maybe they can build off it. The only sure spot to me is RW4, where you can rotate Sammy Blais & Ryan Reaves in and out depending on the opponent.
I think the biggest thing I like about this team is having that extra $1.5M in cap space for a potential deadline deal - I don't think this team is much worse than this year's team and leaving that open gives you the chance to make another move like the Copp/Vatrano/Motte deals this year if you need the upgrade. In 2023-24, you lose a little more than $4M in buyout penalties, and Ryan Reaves' $1.75M expires, so you'll have money to invest in a 2C replacement if Chytil isn't stepping up to take that over. I think signing and trading for short-term deals is the move this summer if you're the Rangers.
Canucks rejected a better offer already. They aren’t taking that
If they trade him this summer, I can't see them getting much more than this - Chicago really boned them with that DeBrincat trade. Ottawa gave up #7, a 2nd, and a 3rd to get him - why would a team pay *more* for a less productive player in JT Miller? Not saying he's terrible or not worth it, but I think a future 1st, a near-NHL prospect, and a B-tier prospect in Cuylle is a solid package based on how the market has been set so far.
If they want to keep him til TDL this year then, that's another story. But if they want to clear the air and get this taken care of before training camp, I don't think they're going to do a whole lot better than this type of package.
If they trade him this summer, I can't see them getting much more than this - Chicago really boned them with that DeBrincat trade. Ottawa gave up #7, a 2nd, and a 3rd to get him - why would a team pay *more* for a less productive player in JT Miller? Not saying he's terrible or not worth it, but I think a future 1st, a near-NHL prospect, and a B-tier prospect in Cuylle is a solid package based on how the market has been set so far.
If they want to keep him til TDL this year then, that's another story. But if they want to clear the air and get this taken care of before training camp, I don't think they're going to do a whole lot better than this type of package.
I think it’s pretty universally agreed on Chicago got fleeced in that trade. Not sure how much it’ll affect the Miller trade when it happens, but he also plays C which increases his value, while Debrincat it purely a winger.
Also Miller has been more productive in 2 out of the last 3 seasons (although I do think Debrincat should have returned more than Miller, I think Miller has a chance at returning more now)
Dach also returned 13 OA this yea + an early 3rd, which I think is at least comparable to a (likely late) 1st in 2 years, a solid but not great RHD prospect, and an okay (but unneeded) winger prospect. And Miller’s return should absolutely be better than Dach’s
Would rather just keep Miller and see if anything better comes along. And you expect Canucks to retain and still only get that in return? I mean it’s possible but as a fan I would be pissed
McDavid, Connor
$250,000)
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