Good morning, boneheads!
This is it. No more guessing. Tonight at 7 PM Gorton will select at number one position. This will be the first time since the inception of the entry draft in 1979 that the team will select at #1. The only other first overall pick was in 1965, but that was an amateur draft. The Rangers selected Andre Veilleux, who played zero games in the NHL.
Unless something earthshattering happens before 7 PM, Gorton will undoubtedly select (via Zoom) Alexis Lafrenière, who, by all accounts, separated himself from the rest of this deep draft.
What happens next isn’t that clear. Number 22 (obtained from Carolina in the Skjei trade) is pretty much in play. Gorton will be looking to improve the roster and add either a young center or L D-man to play with Trouba.
There could be many other moves, especially during the day, and all the way through the draft order. It’s all different now though, all via Zoom, and we are yet to see whether it changes the dynamics. But everything is via Zoom these days. We may want to learn how to use a bathroom via Zoom, I think this is next.
Stay tuned.
175 responses to “Rangers Set to Make History”
I feel like a flathead engine with a torque wrench on my top bolt. LGR!
https://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/1313341438130900992?s=20
There you go. Stamkos isn’t on that list. I’m guessing some RFA’s too. Trouble is ( for Tampa) , there will be plenty of teams trying to unload.
TRADE DOWN! 🙂
With the 22 pick, NYR select, Helge Grans, Dman, Sweden.
The other name that is being rumbled about is another Dman. Justin Barron. Barron was supposed to be in the argument for top Dman taken in the draft, but missed most of last year with a blood clot. He is also currently not playing because of another undisclosed injury.
Both are right shots BTW.
C or RWs! Enough with taking Goalies and Defensemen with R1s and early R2s.
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Will off his Gortie strike again or will JD insist on drafting players who can play against men.
Is Winnipeg really gonna acquire OEL for Laine? That’s awful
Make TB eat half of McD’s cap hit and we’ll take him back…
Tampa trying to move Stamkos according to NHL radio…
Just don’t make him Capt again…
Stamkos = damaged goods? When playing, top pivot; but can’t score from the pressbox
Connor Mcdavid apparently positive for covid-19. self quarantined. Wish him the best.
Also- best wishes to Matty Niskanen who decided to call it a career. Nice to see some players step out before their game completely dies out..
We will all have a good LAF tonight. Hard to come by in 2020.
Agreed, SN. Essentially, TB has said that they have four untouchables on their roster. Draft day strategy. Nothing more.
Rangers were hot on his trail right up until he signed that deal to stay in TB though..
OTBG with the 1st overall pick what could possibly go wrong with that?
As for Mac I’d absolutely love to see him back in Blue. We could use a Cup winner in the locker room….
It’ll be an interesting week. Many teams are trying to unload mid-pack players with long-term, bloated contracts, while trying to retain as little cap hit as possible. I suspect the most common return will be “future considerations” There are some bargains to have if you have cap space. Not sure Gorton should be looking for many. I think there will be some bargains to fill bottom 6 come Friday.
It would make me very happy to see mcd back here so soon.
The time off may help him recover from stuff he never had time during the off-season to recover from.
If we decided to manage his minutes this year, hoping to give him even more time to rejuvenate his body for the next 5 years I’m down with that.
https://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/1313342914135756801?s=20
McDonagh, especially at $3.375M, solves their immediate need on the L instantly. But he is 31 with 6 years left on his contract. With their depth on the L, how long until he drops to a 3rd pair duties? And, more importantly, how long until he starts blocking someone? You can always trade him again, of course. Still, is this something they are looking for, or do they prefer short term solution instead?
As for Mac, we could also use a captain in the locker room….or maybe not
31 Dman with 6 years left on his contract is a HARD NO.
Does Hank really think Washington is the team to win a Cup with? I guess this will spark the “Contending vs wanting to play” convo but whatever. Just doesn’t seem like the right fit for him. Aging core. Lack of commitment to defense by pretty much their entire roster. I don’t see that being pretty…
How great would it be if they re-acquired Mac and held a press conference (on zoom) where they pull out his jersey and it has the C on it? Just like when Mess came back. I’d like it.
Does Brooks ever write an article that doesn’t seem like it was pulled from a discussion here?
Plus with Mac back the trade will have been JT Miller for Howden, Hajek, Namestnikov and a R1 🙂
Speaking of C. Hank is gone. Staal is gone. Time to name a captain this year. Kreider or Zibanejad. I’d go with Kreider. Just a gut feeling that he may be able to handle this weight better than Zibanejad.
ILB, think of it this way, they have been paying Staal 5.7 for 3rd pair duties for the last 3 years. S0 3.375 is not so bad for an eventual 3rd pairing D-man 🙂
Agreed.
James you would like it for a year or two the you would hate it
Ottawa has over $40M to spend. And they are over $20M below the floor! What a joke this franchise has become.
Smitty to Ott!!
plus R3 – could make sense. Gives JG/JD some more Monopoly money to play with
right now the Left side of the D is hopes and dreams; they need to bring some element of experience there; not saying Mac but a short term – 2 yrs – solution to steady that side.
And I’m sure Brady tkachuk is just dying to sign long term there
Bring back McD, Step and Bboyle
You guys want a matchup center- step
You guys want a LD- Mac
You guys want big heavy prototypic 4th-
Bboyle
Mwahahahahaha
Infuse that black and blue into the yotes
Cheer up, Bobby. Maybe they’ll trade Georgiev in the move to get Mac back 😛
Lafrenière is coming!
Lafreniere-Stamkos-Josh Anderson. GET IT DONE GORTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (heavy sarcasm for those of you reading one of my posts for the first time in your lives )
Stamkos is tempting; injury was related to hernia surgery during break in play; point/game player when healthy; 5 years left; 30yo. If Mac had only 3 or 4 years left instead of 6 would be more tempting.
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Mac and Stamkos for Bev and Stromeo.
Chytil and Selma for Monahan
Kreider-Mika-Kakko
Bread-Stamkos-Anderson
Laffy-Monahan-Gotye
Pepe-Howdy-
McD-Tuba
Lindy-Foxy
Miller-RD Vet/UFA
Chesty-Georgie
Stamkos is brittle
Bobby wants them to avoid all these Tampa jerk and get down to brass tacs. They need to work a deal of Georgie for someone’s 3rd round pick. : D
Rangers trading for barkov…E7
funny, gonna be a good night James!!!
I feel like there’s this dynamic building right now.
There’s a lot of teams that have been trying to trade guys who they are considering or know they won’t be extending qualifying offers to. But if most teams are holding off on making trade offers, bc they are thinking hey, this guy is probably gonna be available as a UFA in a week anyway. And everybody’s doing that.
And there might just come this acceptance that hey, we’re all gonna not Qualify guys, it’s not just gonna be us losing guys for nothing, but it also means there are gonna be a ton of guys available for just money. And teams are just gonna let these guys walk to UFA
just have a feeling that Rangers may move on Oliver Ekman-Larsson …not sure how money wise but Gorton has a history of deals with Yotes
Same token, teams that don’t think they will be able to sign a guy if he has multiple options might Push through to make a few trades before the deadline for QOs
Ovi to Hank: ‘Every practice all year, baby.’
OEL will be WAY too much money and term I think. 6 years ago, Slats would have done that so fast. I really would love McD back, but he has too many years left. I think Josh Anderson would be very good. Imagine they got Domi?
Hard pass on OEL!
Who’s kidding whom? Donuts would be a coup.
Bobby, if that’s really a thought you’re having about OEL, I want you to contact Morristown Medical Center in New Jersey and request a STAT MRI Brain scan with contrast. They’ll know what it means. Just make the call and get over there ASAP.
Hank’s going to look funny flailing his arms around and yelling at John Carlson after every goal.
acquire Mac and Stamkos then trade them with Fox, Hajek, Lindgren Georgiev, Kakko and Kravtsov for Eichel!!!!!
OEL – gawd no.
.
Stamkis brittle? Yes and no; two unrelated injuries, one a hernia which is more troubling than shin.
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They are going to have to address the center position if they draft Laffy as they will have acquired/secured Bread, THE, Laffy and Kakko in the last 15 months.
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They may not think Mika and Stromeo are the answer for winning in the second season.
My grandma and your grand-ma were sit-tin’ by the fire
My grandma told your grand-ma “I’m gon-na set your flag on fire
Talk-in’ ’bout, hey now hey now Eichel Eichel, un-day
Jock-a-mo fee-no ai na-né, don’t need a first round pick to-day
OEL is the kind of call that might define some people’s careers.
You totally have to trust your scouts and as a front office your eyes and want a ton of tape on the guy and talk to people like step and others who you trust who see a lot of him.
Cuz from the outside, he’s not just plateaued, he’s stagnanted a bunch. Maybe it’s just a non-competitive situation. But maybe the guys just alittle too rich and comfortable and minds on the back-9.
If your getting a guy who just needed a change of scenery, it might end up being a great move 5 years from now. If the trend continues, you attached an anchor to your bus
Watch*
Hey Now, Hey now
Eichel Eichel all day
just a feeling on OEL
I don’t believe for a second that the Rangers will be making moves for skill guys that lack physicality, size or balls.
When you ponder what they’re doing think about whether JD would consider something a smart move.
Like Josh Anderson to replace Fast instead of overpaying Fast again.
Or signing a LD veteran who is capable of improving the team defensively and making the Rangers’ zone miserable for opponents.
Hank’s chances to win the cup in Washington are as good as anyone of us winning it lol
Following up on James – anyone recall the fabulous time not too many seasons ago when visiting teams didn’t at all enjoy visiting MSG?
Agreed James I said it yesterday the Rangers have skill they need more toughness, grit, they need to move from cotton candy to jaw breakers!
i don’t know how else to put it, so I’ll use Wicky’s words: “Big, fat No on OEL!”
I do, Coos. And back then everyone clamored for more skill. Now look.
Good one, Minx lol
Jeez, sign D’Anger long before contemplating OEL 25 in a couple weeks, shoots right, plays the backzone as good (or bad) as OEL, feisty, and can be expected to improve.
Right James. They tried to run every half-way tough guy out of town and succeeded. I knew JD wouldn’t neglect grit.
Sam: “Oliver how would you describe your game to Rangers fans?”
OEL: “Well…I kind of just stand around in my zone and look for an opportunity to get the puck and try to score”
Coos that’s what happens when you have a coach that wants his team to play whistle to whistle. Opponent concusses your best player? Make them pay for it on the score board. Maybe send Tanner Glass out there for a staged fight later…
Remember when that big oaf McGrattan gently prevented an irate Torts from crossing the drawbridge into his locker room? Classic.
Glass was super disciplined, (admirable), but thus hampering his effectiveness.
Don’t think Eichel is going anywhere. The handful of games I saw Miller play left me.. underwhelmed. Would not be upset if he is included if there is a significant NYR trade.
I would be a little surprised to see Mac back. Though it sounds like a move that would make sense (at least short term), I’m not feeling it.
Ilb correctly saying the team should resolve captain issue. IMHO Zib is a better choice that kid K – seems more even tempered. Not sure what the expected time on team needs to be for a captain these days in the NHL.
CBA bonus regulations are going to trim off available cap space.
https://nypost.com/2020/10/06/why-the-rangers-dont-have-as-much-cap-space-as-it-seems/
TRADE ALL THE YOUNG PLAYERS! Cap eaters.
Thank goodness sather isn’t running the rangers anymore or he would sell the farm, mortgage the future for these 30+ once upon a time star players. Rangers need to make some trades but for mid twenty year old two way center, LD to play with trouba, bottom 6 grit players. It’s not going to be easy but the rangers have assets, if Gorton can pull it off the rangers will be off and running.
I am launching an official lawsuit against Larry Brooks for completely stealing my previous post. Including my calculations. Jackwagon!
The only thing I didn’t include is Barron. So that adds extra $850K
Translation: Eichel is not coming.
LA made an offer to switch spots. Gorton said no.
If we can’t get Eichel, in the interest of wokeness, can we get Urkel from Family Matters?
I don’t think I want to know what the offer was.
One thing from Brooks’ article that I didn’t know is that they can start using up that potential dead bonus space once a player is removed from the roster or when a bonus threshold becomes mathematically impossible to reach
Ilb,
Me either. Tells you though they really like Lafrenière.
I can’t remember who posted it during the finals as Tampa was getting close to closing it out, but they said stamkos was not long for Tampa and their organization would try to move on from him pretty quickly.
Jedi master of info whoever that was
Was it Edge?
Could you see injury prone stamkos and Injury probe zibanejad on the team? Lmao
Lmmfao…probe…PRONE
Measles for Acne.
(trading spots)
What does LA really have to offer? Turcotte and 2OA would have been the best they could have put on the table and I doubt they did.
Bdl
Oh no, edge is vetted and official!
Who the heck is this guy
https://twitter.com/TheAthleticNHL/status/1313525742479777799?s=20
Oh that’s crazy, i just happened to see it the moment Carp was on.
Carp looks good.
Lost some weight now that he ain’t eating off msgs spreads everyday
Wicky
Are you vetted and official like the edge?
Thankfully, I’m not. I just listen and use common sense.
I couldn’t handle being vetted and famous working out of my mum’s basement!
Wicky,
Did you just call Zibanejad injury prone? Angry James is going to see that and get angry.
Listen, we are already over 100 comments, dammit. All out of nothing. I’m guessing I’m going to have to schedule a Go Time Post for 7 PM. Wasn’t planning to.
Carp balancing out the demos; looking very spry with other 26 year olds….
Well no, BDL. Apparently that’s the concern and the reason they want Eichel. (S)
Bdl
Yeah, I did. It’s just a reality. Your best ability is availability 😉
LAK already have some good young centers; wanted to move up and take the best winger.
Eichel, Stamkos and Monahan down the middle; make it happen Jeffrey!!
I want Holloway with 2nd first rounder!
I would call Zibanejad concussion prone. Nash was injury prone. Groin, groin, shoulder, core muscle, groin, LBI, LBI, shoulder, core muscle groin…That’s injury prone 🙂
I hope they select the 2nd first rounder and it’s Zary. I love when BDL has to tell himself I was right.
I skate faster than Zary.
So it’s settled. We draft BDL and Eichel stays in Buffalo.
I would call Nash a big pansy
ILB tired of updating things. Must be spending too much time with Carp. 🙂
Hold the tomatoes boys but be prepared for a Chytil surprise this coming season.
SN,
Everyone is welcomed to their opinion on it, I just choose my terminology a bit more carefully. Injury prone to me implies exactly that. A guy can’t handle being dinged up or he’s often suffering from a variety of dings and dents that keep him off the ice.
Zibanejad broke his leg his first year on a play that anyone who would broken their leg on and missed time with.
He’s also suffered a couple of concussions. that’s not the same thing.
But it’s all how you look at things. I’m sure some Pens fans think Crosby is injury prone. Maybe some St. Louis fans think Bouwmeester is injury prone because he suffered a heart attack.
There he is.
Nothing angry about that statement, BDL. If you want to see me angry lets talk about how people keep taking runs at him because they know none of his teammates have the balls to retaliate.
I think stamkos would be a great fit in Calgary
Don’t know if he wants to go from Tampa to banff. And from tax-free to Canada pay
But. I feel like he’d be big there
Chytil surprise? Sounds like a terrible dessert at a stuffy French restaurant..
No one’s taking on that Stamkos contract. Biggest bullet the Rangers dodged in the JG era.
James he’s had back to back 90 point seasons
Come on now
sandwiched between a 17 and a 57 game season.
86 Pts in 78 games in 17-18
Haha 98 Pts last season in 82 games 18-19
And 66 Pts in 57 gAmes this year
It’s the nhl…there is always a team or a way!
Maybe we could have signed him to play here every other year? lol
You’re killing me James!
I get that.
But come on now he basically scored 100 Pts a year ago.
Years after that gruesome leg injury.
Let’s be fair to the guy here.
Like gaborik…every other year
How much different is he than mika?
Pt per game player
Read it and weep
So I guess we should go
Eichel-Stamkos-BDL-Not Zary down the middle. Sounds like a plan!
Read what and what? Bro take a breath. You get all hyped up over the most ridiculous scenarios. You think paying a guy 8.5 million a year to get a solid year out of him 50% of the time is smart? That’s all you. Message received. I got it. Please don’t put up 14 posts that are 9 paragraphs long about it now…
Bro. I’m not hyped in the least
I actually just ate a late brunch in between posts.
I said Calgary not us.
And don’t put in little digs in the end.
I don’t like that
We’re just messing around here.
I sincerely apologize. Stamkos would look great in Calgary. Or anywhere but here. That was all I was pointing out. I think there’s probably 29 GMs that would agree that his contract sucks though.
And the 30th is Yzerman who doesn’t work for Tampa anymore. sooooo…
All in good fun, JPP. Like when Wicky says he’ll kill me in my sleep or I tell BDL I hate him.
Why are we talking about zary zalapski anyway.
He’s older than you guys man 😉
I believe Wicky when he says he’d kill people in their sleep.
I’ve been watching this show called the expanse. He reminds me of the character Amos.
‘If we have a disagreement, I can just break your jaw, and we can be done with it’
I didn’t realize he died a couple years ago.
I wish I didn’t make that joke.
May he Rest In Peace
Remember the last few season before he was traded of how McDonagh was slammed by every Rangers fan for not being “the McDonagh” we all supposedly know? Yeah… and now you guys want him back? lol
And James.
Brooksie gets paid big bucks and a lot of traffic writing long winded ‘nonsensical’ stuff.
Think of it this way. I add ‘nonsensical’ content for FREE.
Feed me
Your never allowed to be the voice of reason CCCP
Say something sarcastic and right on the edge
Stamkos remains injury free, that contract is absolutely at or below market rate.
No Guarantees though
C3, my only criticism of Mac was that he didnt go up into Sather/Gorton’s office and hang them out the window by their feet until they agreed to find him a partner worth a turd.
“what? Moving Marc Staal to the right side and giving him first line minutes isnt good enough? You’re supposed to make your partner elite!”
The fact that Stamkos played one game in the finals and then went back out injured for the duration is concerning to me. We are in October. Would you pay you 8.5 this year and bank on him being 100% by December/January? That’s a tough call.
I find it fascinating that, according to our trusted media, Stamkos is available while he still has a full NMC.
you guys have to be kidding with Stamkos right? he’s on the back 9 and brittle…. plus doesnt address need down the middle or lefthanded D
There went Anderson to Montreal
I don’t think anyone’s advocating for him to come to NY, Bobby. Just discussing the situation. Although it does fascinate me that you don’t think a natural center would address the need down the middle lol
FUUUUUUG
No wonder the Habs cleared Alzner’s contract.
Via mtl
Canadiens acquire forward Josh Anderson in return for Max Domi and a third-round pick in 2020 (78th overall).
Max Domi on the move again. He’ll do well under Torts. I feel like that wasn’t much more than we could have offered.
Good example of a pure hockey trade for those that don’t understand the concept.
Means Danault stays as well.
Betcha they’d love to move Drouin though. Not that anyone would want him.
Cotton Candy going once? Twice? Three times?
Sad news about Eddie Van Halen. That band always seemed like they were having a great time. 65 is not as old as it was 40 years ago.
James,
funny you mentioned Morristown Hospital above, which make me wonder – are you a doctor? My son, cardiologist, works there and lives on outskirt of Morristown.
Stamkos goes nowhere, fuggetaboutit. Loved McD when he was a Ranger, but NO, b/c of combination of age, contract and game quality decline (would rather nave Sergachev, if anything). Caps team is on downhill – not really a good potential place for Hank, whom I wholeheartedly wish an opportunity to win big.
If unable to get real star center (i.e. Eichel), probably better to resign Strome with founded chemistry and his willingness to play here and be reasonable about affordable contract.
Abdelkader is going to be bought out by the Wings. Any interest as a bottom six banger? He always seemed to have a bit of an edge to his game.
No, ORF, he was really bad in the last 2 seasons
Domi just had a career year with 70+ points so they trade him AND 3rd rounder for Anderson? I don’t get it.
Cccp
It’s because the players that most teams cover are the Anderson type. They are the players that win you championships.
Probably agreed to a reasonable contract as well.
Covet…not cover
Cccp broke the blog!
Some is wearing out his welcome in many teams; apple doesn’t fall far…
Yes yes, of course… I remember all the stanley cups BJ’s won with Anderson 🙂
Seems like a lot of rfas not being tendered
Add buyouts
They should have allowed compliance buyouts
One this year
One next
With flat cap
Dillon stays w caps
I thought Dillon would have been a good fit here.
Anyone else still feel like they’re gonna take Ngwingwae Klick Klack from the third tier Central African Roller Hockey League with the first pick?
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