[brooks] What Rangers' Zdeno Chara Pursuit Reveals About Their Needs This Offseason

Next year has to be Moving Year for the Rangers. Next year must be the one in which the Rangers move back into the playoffs following what will be a four-year leave of absence from the Cotillion. A defense so young and so inexperienced does not provide the platform for that leap.

 

The Rangers will need to add a veteran to the back end. They will need to add a defenseman of substance in his mid-to-late 20’s who has fiber to his game and within his persona. They will need to add a defenseman from a winning program who preferably has a Stanley Cup on his resume. The Rangers need a defenseman who will lead from the back.

 

They knew that last year when they attempted to bring the legendary then-43-year-old Zdeno Chara to Broadway.

 

There had been chatter at the time that the Blueshirts had checked in on the free agent as a matter of course when it became apparent he would not return to Boston. Due diligence and all that.

 

But The Post has recently learned the Rangers’ effort went way beyond token interest. Indeed, a well-placed source reports that the club was a finalist in the derby, in the hunt until the last minute when Chara decided he simply could not pass up the opportunity to go for another Cup in Washington.

 

The Rangers knew then what importing a championship presence like Chara would have meant to the team’s development.

 

The Rangers’ young defensemen are good. Not one is a Goosen. But not all of them are going to play for the team. Some will be sacrificed in trades. You probably don’t want to hear this, but one of the advantages of playing Jones is that he will be showcased.

 

It is great to be young, as someone who decades ago once was, can attest. But the young guys on the Rangers’ back end need support on and off the ice from a veteran who has been around the block and can wear a Cup ring on his finger.

 

Management knew it last year. They wanted Chara. And while the situation has changed to a degree, the need has not changed at all.

 

https://nypost.com/2021/04/23/what-rangers-zdeno-chara-pursuit-reveals-about-their-needs-this-offseason/

Right Larry!

 

Because the Rangers had an interest in 43 year old Chara last Summer who has some "fiber to his game", now they need to add a free agent late 20 year old defenseman who has "some fiber to his game" despite having one of the best crops of young defensemen in the NHL, several of which are scouted at as "having fiber to their game". If the Post ever wants to save some money on beat reporter salary, they should just look to some of NY Rangers Facebook groups for indiduals who could do a much more credible job at throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what may or may not stick.

 

At least put some suggestions out there for this phantom defenseman with "fiber to his game" that is supposed to displace this crop prospects.

 

https://www.capfriendly.com/browse/free-agents/2022/caphit/all/defense

 

Who on the list are we overpaying for Larry?

But isnt Trouba that veteran defenseman except without the winning pedigree? Where would this defenseman that Larry writes about fit on this team next season? The issue isnt on the back end, the issue is finding that type of player on offense specifically either center or a big/tough power forward type player

But isn't Trouba that veteran defenseman except without the winning pedigree? Where would this defenseman that Larry writes about fit on this team next season? The issue isn't on the back end, the issue is finding that type of player on offense specifically either center or a big/tough power forward type player

 

Normally I stop at "Larry Brooks says....", Blue!! ;)

 

But I'm with you on the above!

Arent the defensive stats pretty good?

 

Team needs snarl, sure. But they also need to be a able to play and contribute on-ice.

I would think the d next season would be some combination of Fox, Lindgren, Trouba, Miller, Jones, Lundkvist, Schneider, Robertson, & Reunanen

I'm happy to hear the Rangers think they need another vet on defense. I'm even happier they seriously went after a legend like Chara.

 

I wanted Thornton. I wanted Perry. I wanted Chara. Next season I want Krejci. Having the youngest team in the league is fun, but helping them grow into a winning team that makes the playoffs is even more fun.

I would think the d next season would be some combination of Fox, Lindgren, Trouba, Miller, Jones, Lundkvist, Schneider, Robertson, & Reunanen

 

5 rookies. Hope not.

 

A few of these guys will be traded and should be traded.

Arent the defensive stats pretty good?

 

Team needs snarl, sure. But they also need to be a able to play and contribute on-ice.

 

Very. Their PK was the second-best in the league a few games ago. They're fifth, I think, right now. Even the individual metrics for all of their defenders are solid, minus Hajek.

 

But given how naked they look without Trouba, I think there's a ton of merit to the idea of adding a really reliable vet.

if they sign a "johnson" this off season i will flip a shit.

 

Fox and lindgren are already vets. not to mention trouba and presumably smith.

Fox and Lindgren aren't vets. Neither has played even 200 games yet, and there's not a single NHL playoff game between them. They're not rookies, either, but they're definitely not vets.

Right Larry!

 

Because the Rangers had an interest in 43 year old Chara last Summer who has some "fiber to his game", now they need to add a free agent late 20 year old defenseman who has "some fiber to his game" despite having one of the best crops of young defensemen in the NHL, several of which are scouted at as "having fiber to their game". If the Post ever wants to save some money on beat reporter salary, they should just look to some of NY Rangers Facebook groups for indiduals who could do a much more credible job at throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what may or may not stick.

 

At least put some suggestions out there for this phantom defenseman with "fiber to his game" that is supposed to displace this crop prospects.

 

https://www.capfriendly.com/browse/free-agents/2022/caphit/all/defense

 

Who on the list are we overpaying for Larry?

Larry is just reporting that they did indeed go hard after Chara because of their own perceived inexperience on the blue line. They feel like winning experience is important in growing a winning atmosphere for their rebuild. Both remain true going into next season. I don't see it as throwing spaghetti at a wall but stating the obvious next step to this team build. Larry can't win. He reports that the Rangers were heavily involved on Chara. That is relative big news regarding the Rangers. It partly explains the reasoning for signing Jack Johnson. Awful but at least somewhat explains the rational. It's also noteworthy that they are younger now and that those needs haven't changed. Next year is about taking a step towards winning not building hope for the future. Next year the playoffs are a must. Otherwise you start thinking Buffalo or Edmonton rebuilds. Nobody wants to rebuild forever.

Fox and Lindgren aren't vets. Neither has played even 200 games yet, and there's not a single NHL playoff game between them. They're not rookies, either, but they're definitely not vets.

 

I mean fair.. but im also not worried about either not having experience to do what they do

I mean fair.. but im also not worried about either not having experience to do what they do

 

But they don't. We have no idea what either will do in the playoffs.

But they don't. We have no idea what either will do in the playoffs.

 

I probably have no basis for this opinion but I’m more worried about panarin and zib than fox and lindgren in the playoffs.

 

 

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I dont think it necessarily has to be a veteran cup winner. We saw what it needs to be during the last 4 periods, if it wasn't already clear.

 

JD mentioned it being a reason for getting Cuylle and Schneider in the draft.

I dont think it necessarily has to be a veteran cup winner. We saw what it needs to be during the last 4 periods, if it wasn't already clear.

 

JD mentioned it being a reason for getting Cuylle and Schneider in the draft.

 

Yup. Moxy.

4 threads all talking about toughness.

 

Makes sense, I guess?

This is about the D. The other about forwards. GDT will fall off.

 

 

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This is about the D. The other about forwards. GDT will fall off.

 

 

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It's all about the D... Oh yea.

They need a solid veteran, with playoff experience and it wouldn't hurt if they also produce in the playoffs. But for DEPTH. As the 6th/7th Dman.

 

The bigger need is for a veteran two way center. Grinder, faceoff specialist, pker, and leader. I can't think of an established player who will want that role. Anyone we would really want, like Sam Bennett doesn't want to be stuck on a 3rd line. It's gotta be a guy already accepting of the fact that he's bottom 6, and top top 6... If that makes any sense...

 

The Rangers are in a good yet bad situation here. They have 3 unknowns on wing, whom people want to be in the top six, but are stuck on the 3rd line as Kreider demands icetime with his contract. You have Chytil not taking the step we thought he would, in making it a hard decision between him and Strome. But they also have Zibanejad being less of a 1st line player.

 

Nevermind the group of young Dmen they will have to find a spot for AND trade.

 

What do the Rangers realistically trade for?

The trade chips are:

Chytil

Gauthier

Jones

Lundkvist

Hajek

 

IMO these are the players the Rangers absolutely need to make a decision on. 4 of those players HAVE TO be traded by mid next season.if not sooner.

 

What are you getting for all of that? It's all worth more than their current needs, UNLESS the go for Eichel or an equivalent.. But doing that means you have to move one of Zibanejad or Strome.. Yet MORE assets they have to move. Buchnevich even enters the conversation as a chip.

 

Would anyone take Kreider and or Trouba? Can they get Burms from SJ in a swap? Do we want or need Karlsson? The Rangers are going to have to find a team looking to make major changes. Maybe SJ takes Kreider and Trouba, for Karlsson (who is bitching about his situation) and a player????

 

Gotta start brain storming. Major moves have to take place., really soon.