Rangers GM Glen Sather is looking to make a move in way of a trade.
Sather is not looking to—nor will he—waive any of the players on his roster, as it will not look well around the NHL, considering three of those players were signed either as UFAs or RFAs this offseason. One may shake their head over the offseason signing of Pat Rissmiller, but I can assure you that his job is safe with the Rangers and he is not going anywhere.
That leaves the jobs of Prucha, Sjostrom, and Fritsche in question. The thought of carrying 15 NHL-caliber forwards and 6 D-man is not sensible, and the Rangers front office is aware of this.
The Rangers are not ready to make a move if it means simply giving away players. If this was the case, they would just be cutting salary for little to no reason. Their interest in Sundin has faded away, and I still do not buy that they have interest in Shanahan despite reports to the contrary.
Let me make it clear ,folks—Tom Renney does not want Shanahan back, even if the GM may think differently.
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This leads me to believe that if a deal is worked out, the Rangers will be looking to move two extra forwards in a deal. The most likely candidates will be Dan Fritsche and Petr Prucha.
Sjostrom and Prucha are similar players, and I do not think teams will be willing to take both, nor will the Rangers want to part with both. If the Rangers make a deal involving these two players, they would be looking to receive a North American-style player in return who can net in the area of 20 to 30 goals. This, my friends, will be a winger for Brandon Dubinsky, because the Rangers front office feels Nigel Dawes lacks the size to play on that line.
So who do the Rangers eye covetously? None other than Vancouver Canuck Ryan Kesler. The Rangers are also willing to part with a pick, Anisimov, or Sanguenetti if it means getting the deal done. This could then possibly yield another prospect or pick coming back from Vancouver as well.
Let me add that Anisimov and Sanguenetti have not impressed to the level that they were touted to be. Can we smell another Al Montoya?
(Speaking of Al Montoya, that deal was the worst trade ever made by Sather. Did Sather get a fair return? Yes. Did Sather wait too long, when he could have gotten a greater return a year earlier? Of course. If the Rangers part with Anisimov or Sanguenetti, be happy—because in two years when they amount to nothing, you will be wonder why we kept them.)
Let's see what happens—but look for sometime before Thursday to be the magical day. I do not guarantee anything, but there was truth behind those Vancouver rumors back in August—they just had zip to do with Scott Gomez.
Seeing the deal Vancouver made yesterday with Tampa, Gillis is not done make moves to tinker with his roster up in the great Northwest.
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3 months ago
Interesting. I find it funny that you and Gregg have completely different opinions on why the Montoya trade was so bad!
I'm ready to part with Prucha if you are.
3 months ago
Kesler will be a 20 to 25+ goalsTHIS YEAR. Why would Vancouver part with him to get second or third tier prospects or bubble players like Prucha or Fritsche? Will Prucha and Fritsche get 20 goals combined? Vancouver needs offense now, remember?
Give your head a shake, you are clearly dreaming. The only players Vancouver could be interested in are Gomez and Zerdev if they want to let Kesler go.
3 months ago
Prucha has some potential but I agree 100% with James. You have got to be kidding if you think the Canucks, who just recently named Kesler as an Assistant Captain as confirmed by your photo of him, would trade him at all, let alone for a pick and a prospect, lol!
Kesler gives us a pretty sweet 3rd line with Burrows and Hansen right now, why would they consider moving him. He is untouchable.
The Canucks have an abundance of D, and could possibly move one of them for a Prucha type player, but don't expect a hell of a lot for him. Maybe a prospect D and a 3rd rounder or some shit.
Good luck with Nazzy Rangers!! I really hope he has finally got his head out of his ass, when he lost his wrist shot he became completely one dimensional.
3 months ago
There is absolutely no way Vancouver makes that deal in the shape you have described. Echoing James above, the only way Kesler moves anywhere is for a proven performer on a multi-year deal. Kesler is seen by management and fans as a member of the core group going forward. He has the grit and edge that Vancouver is trying to imprint as the identity of this team. There is a reason they put an A on his jersey this year. He is part of the leadership group on the team, no way does he get traded for question marks.
3 months ago
Benfica you ar so right. The players that don't seem to fit on the Canuck roster are not on the shut down line. Pyatt might be vulnerable to upgrade. Salo is brittle. Ohlund might be in his last year here. Wellood is still on the roster,too.
If you look at the NYR roster you'd be hard put to name a Canuck-fit. Zherdev, maybe.
3 months ago
how soon we forget, that Prucha put up 30 goals, then 22 the next season. This deal would not be centered around Prucha or another player, but it would center around a prospect like Sanguenetti. People on here are acting as though Kesler is a superstar which he is not. Just because the guy wears an A does not mean he is untouchable. I have heard chatter about Kesler since last season. Maybe the nucks don't want to part with him, but the Rangers sure as hell would love him with Dubinsky.
3 months ago
I too don't see the 'Nucks parting with Kesler unless it's a serious upgrade. Why get rid of one of the best checkers in the league who is gritty, fast a future leader and capable of potting 25'ish goals? For some perimiter players? Come on!
Pyatt I can see going maybe in a package with a D for someone somewhat substantial but if Kesler's going as part of a trade we'd need a hell of a lot more than a permiter player and picks back. No he's no superstar but he's way more valuable than this trade.
3 months ago
You have no clue what you're talking about. There is a 0% chance that Vancouver is parting with Kessler. Maybe, maybe for a Marion Gaborik (or similar superstar), but under no circumstances will Kessler be traded to the Rangers. That you can bank on -- 100% guaranteed.
Petr Prucha -- haha, laughable!!
3 months ago
if the rangers make a trade it will probably be forward or two for dman or dman and forward
they do have a traffic jam of forwards, and i agree, they need to make some moves
however, who is the scratched dman, or who gets called up if, god forbid, one of our dmen get injured? *knock on wood*
3 months ago
the only player worth kesler on the rangers team is gomez ,,,those other players u mentioned are garbage
3 months ago
I don't think anyone was implying that Kesler was a superstar. What anyone who closely follows Vancouver knows is that Kesler is highly regarded within the organisation for his two-way play, his energy, and his grit. He is seen as an emerging team leader, and an embodiment of the culture and identity the team is trying to shape. Finally, he is a known quantity. The team may let him go in return for another known quantity that is too good to pass up, but it won't be for prospects or inconsistent performers.
I think there is a sense and hope among Vancouver fans that Kesler could emerge as this generation's Trevor Lindon, and I think management recognises his ability to become that kind of a face of the franchise in years ahead. I trust they are savvy enough to recognise that this is not the kind of player you swap on a long shot.
3 months ago
A touch overboard Gradin.Kesler is pretty good, great even in a checking role, however your on glue if you think he's worth gomez straight up.I also think Vancouver would be retarded if they move him because of his youth, style and he's probably the only candidate they have going forward to build an identity around.He's good and maybe soon he'll be worth a Gomez,how ever were no where near that time.
I'm no naslund fan, but benfica,and all you other Vancouver fans that somehow put your misfortunes at naslunds feet are ignorant and unintelligent.The man gave you everything for 12 years;100 pt seasons,most outstanding player, captain and largely responsible for bringing fans back to the ungrateful masses that inhabit that fucking city.It wasn't too long ago they couldn't give tickets away(I know I live in BC)now there is a sellout streak(without which btw you couldn't afford Luongo or anybody for that matter)and it all started with the guy you ran out of town for Demitra(15 goals)nice job
from 3 months ago
Gradin is overboard? Compared to you he is shy and retiring. Try it.
from 3 months ago
Correction he gave us everything for about 6 of those 12 years. He was not the sole reason for the Canucks end of season collapse last year but he was definitely part of the problem good intentions or not. That said I wish him nothing but luck in NY.
And no Kesler is not worth Gomez straight up. Just another reason it's quite unlikely we'll see a NY/Van trade.
3 months ago
OK it turned into a bit of rant once I got going,but I'm just tired of hearing only negative things on Naslund and his tenure on the west coast.
But you can't seriuosly think Kesler is worth Gomez right now?.
So I should " retire" is that what you meant junior?Look if you don't agree with me that's fine, but at least point out what's wrong with my opinion or point out your thoughts on my "take".
so yes its overboard to say gomez is the only player worth (a) kesler,because kesler isn't nearly as good
2 months ago
please...the canucks will not get rid of Kesler...they are getting rid of Bieska.
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