Hockey Trade Rumors

The New York Rangers have easily been the biggest disappointment in the NHL thus far. There has been little chemistry, locker room problems, goaltending inconsistency, defensive miscues, and a lack of second hand scoring.

If I am GM Glen Sather I do not trust this team to win the Cup. If anyone noticed anything this offseason, it was that this was the make or break year for the Rangers. Chris Drury and Scott Gomez were signed to large deals in the hopes to push NY into the finals. This may very well be the final year for Jaromir Jagr, Marty Straka is getting close, as is Brendan Shanahan. I believe it that Glen Sather needs to make some changes if NY has any chance of getting in. I will discuss who I believe is looking to sell some players, who I think could be available, and what it may take to get them. The needs that I think need to be addressed are:

– a reliable back up goaltender. No offense to Valiquette, but Lundqvist needs a break. Steve only seems to do well versus Toronto. Henrik started off amazing this season but has got burned out. I think the allstar break will definitely get him motivated as he should have been there. [By that I mean that by his own play he caused himself not to be selected. No way should Tim Thomas (no offense) be ahead of Henrik, and I am sure he knows it] Henrik had an amazing second half, and I think he will rebound, but we need a solid backup to play 5-10 games, something Valiquette can’t do – or do well.

– a change in the defensive corps. All I can say is wow – just wow. It pains me to say this, but I think it is time we look to trade Tyuts. He looks lost most nights, and he and Girardi are not the pair they were last season. Malik is almost certainly going to be traded. Mara too could be traded and should have value. He has played very well and NY is not utilizing his strength – a PP QB. He also is making quite a bit of money. And Jason Strudwick…. he shouldn’t even be on the ice, a 7th defenseman at best.

– a talented winger. The possibilities are endless here. I’d look for someone who may be plays a similar game to Jagr to see if he can get going. Nylander is done for the year so even if Jagr wanted him – it’s inconceivable.

So here are my thoughts.

Option 1A:

It has been rumored that Chicago may have some interest in Marek Malik. Marek as stated has a low trade value. My thought here would be to try and get Patrick Lalime. He is the only veteran goalie in the western conference who is in the final year of his contract. He is making .95M which is significantly less than Malik’s 2.5M. This trade could open up some space for NY should they need it. Lalime has been in the east and has played well. He is on the decline but if given an opportunity in the spotlight could boost his value in the free agency market. NY has a defense that doesn’t allow too many shots a game. After this year, let Lalime walk and use a Lundqvist/Montoya tandem. I think a deal could have Malik and a mid level role player prospect for Lalime.

Option 1B:

Keep Valiquette and hope that Lundqvist doesn’t get hurt nor burnt out. If Henrik does get hurt, I think Al Montoya could step in as a starter. He is too young to have me believe that he can take us all the way, but stranger things have happened in the playoffs [if we get there]

Option 1X:

Look to a John Grahame (inconsistent, expensive), Jose Theodore (very expensive, won’t be moved unless Colorado has a deal in place for a starter), Dan Ellis (Nashville won’t part with him unless its an offer they can’t refuse and he is still young and unproven)

(Lets assume that my option 1A works out and NY sends Malik and Greg Moore)

Next I look to defense. At this point our defense would look like:

Staal Rozival

Tyutin Girardi

Strudwick Mara

What our defense should look like:

Staal Rozival

____ Girardi

Mara/__ _____

Strudwick

Trade bait: Tyutin

When I look at our holes I can’t help but think we need a rock: A steady defensive defenseman, who can provide a transition game, and log minutes. We could also use another reliable defenseman who doesn’t awe anyone but is very responsible.

So here we go. We all know that NY and Columbus have been scouting each other, and I am not naïve enough to believe we can get Klesla and Foote though that would fit my description. If I could I am trying for Klesla. This will come at a high price.

In this blockbuster:

NY gets Klesla [1.6], David Vyborny [2.2]

CBJ gets Fedor Tyutin [.988], Michael Sauer, Nigel Dawes[.5]/Marcel Hossa[.78], conditional high/mid pick

As far as the other spot I try to feel out other GMs to see if either Pock or (I am not sure if this is possible) Darius Kasparitis would pass through re-entry waivers. Ivan Baranka or David Liffiton could be other possibilities.

The only “seller” right now is LA. They are the only team looking to deal. Despite Eklund’s thoughts Blake will not want to go east to NY and has a NTC. I am looking at Brad Stuart if anything but Lombardi will want an arm and a leg.

As far as offense:

Avery Gomez Jagr

Straka Drury Shanahan

Prucha Dubinsky Vyborny

Hollweg Betts Orr

Dawes/Hossa

I really don’t even know where to start. First, Dawes or Hossa would be in the lineup too depending how scenario 2 turns out, who knows who Tom will bench. NY seems to need an offensive catalyst, but where!? Callahan may be ready in a few weeks. There are a couple of other players Paranteau among them that could easily go into a third line. Gomez and Drury likely have no market. Who would take Jagr? Avery is a fan favorite, and unless injured will be in the lineup. Shanahan will not be traded unless he and Slats figure that is best. Straka will stay and deservingly so. The 4th line has done everything Renney wants but score. Dubinsky and Prucha may have value, but why trade them for a rental? Prucha comes on later in the season – lets see if he does this year… Offensively NY is strapped unless there is a long term injury or three.

So there is my tenative list. What do you guys realistically think?