If we spend money it should be on one big talent, rather than a number of moderate cost players to help fill out the roster. I want the kids to fill out the roster. By filling out spots with low salaries, you can allow someone like Panarin to eat up $10 million in cap.
We have the kids to do it too, in fact, they need more experience and 2019-2020 should be a year dedicated to just that.
Vesey needs to finish out this year playing with Zibanejad and Kreider. Move him in the off season. He's a nice player, but we pick up a second round pick and allow one of the kids to play with Kreider and Zibanejad.
Move Strome and a prospect for a 2nd. Again, he's a nice player but we cant have $3 million 3rd line centers. Andersson should have that spot and be allowed to gel with some linemates, and again, it's a spot filled by a low salary, developing youngster.
Buchnevich is due a bridge deal, from looking at other posts, I decided 2 yrs at $2.8 mil was fair. It's a developing player who already has good metrics across the board. It gives both player and team two more years to access. Doesn't break the bank for a top 6 player.
Kravtsov will be brought up, and play top 6 from day 1. I wont go into detail, nor will I tell you I told you so, but it happens. Again, you fill out a top 6 spot with a low salary and a potential star player. He's that "kid" I spoke of earlier to pair with Kreider and Zibanejad.
Kreider - Zibanejad - Kravtsov
Or maybe an all Russian line?
Truth is Kravtsov wont be needed for the Russia line, Panarin comes over for something like 8yrs $10 million and you've got it.
Panarin - Namestnikov - Buchnevich
Panarin can star on his own line, without Kreider and Zibanejad, because he doesn't need them to flourish. Instantly the Rangers have two dynamic lines, and didnt have to break the bank in doing so. The total cost of all 6 players is just $23 million a season.
On defense there are bigger problems, but I believe it's best to stand pat. Shattenkirk, Staal and Smith all have deals that are up in two years, so give Pionk and DeAngelo bridge deals for 2 years. Meaning all 5 will be up after 2 years.
This allows Miller, Lundkvist, Lindgren, Gross, Hajek etc to develop and be ready in 2020 and especially in 2021 when all 5 of the veteran contracts are up.
We could buy out Smith, but unless we are adding another high priced player, it really makes no sense. Same could be said for Staal. They serve well for tanking reasons too (lol).
I'd rather not add a long term free agent defenseman, as we have guys who we be here in a few years.
At next year's deadline, look for Fast, Namestnikov and maybe even Kreider to get moved.
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