Post by nyrgm on Mar 26, 2023 13:13:43 GMT -5
Hello fans!
For the first year in, well...ever, the rangers DID NOT complete a blockbuster trade and send away a first round pick that they sorely need. They did, however, make a few subtle moves to get better. 7 points out of the last playoff spot in the east, GM Cooper was caught in no mans land and undecided on whether to commit either way. In the end, though, he was able to make a few moves to address needs without breaking the bank.
In are Olli Matta, Jonathan Merrill and Tim Schaller. Out are Jack Johnson, Mike Reilly, Andreas Athanasiou and prospect Artyom Duda.
Matta, acquired a few days prior to the deadline came in a straight swap for Athanasiou. The rangers felt the need at defence was more of an issue than the top 6 as reflected by the combined -30 between Johnson and Reilly throughout the last leg of the season so far and Olli provides an immediate upgrade on the back end. The top 6 fix was too move Poeling up with Chytil and Suzuki and move Suzuki to the wing which worked admirably in the Rangers crushing of the Wings the following day. That created a hole in the bottom six which was temporarily filled by David Gustaffson who double shifted, centering both of the bottom 2 lines.
Enter Tim Schaller(swapped for Mike Reilly). A straight swap of scratched players allowed both teams to bring in depth without tinkering with the current lineups and was a pretty low risk player swap. Tim, however, will indeed be used on the third line and brings the perfect set of skills to do so. He will center the line between Kahun and Roustalinen.
Finally, the rangers swapped Jack Johnson for Johnathan Merrill and sent out prospect Artyom Duda to balance the deal. Merrill brings another level of defense to a team that was lacking and will hopefully plug the leaky boat that was the rangers defense. He's currently slotted beside Larsson on the 3rd pairing but has the skills to move up if need be.
All in all, the Rangers played it safe but were able to upgrade positions of need at little cost. It's also noteworthy that Merrill and Matta are both signed through the 2024-25 season so the pressure to make the playoffs isn't as heavy.
Dick Brainless
Big Apple Babble
For the first year in, well...ever, the rangers DID NOT complete a blockbuster trade and send away a first round pick that they sorely need. They did, however, make a few subtle moves to get better. 7 points out of the last playoff spot in the east, GM Cooper was caught in no mans land and undecided on whether to commit either way. In the end, though, he was able to make a few moves to address needs without breaking the bank.
In are Olli Matta, Jonathan Merrill and Tim Schaller. Out are Jack Johnson, Mike Reilly, Andreas Athanasiou and prospect Artyom Duda.
Matta, acquired a few days prior to the deadline came in a straight swap for Athanasiou. The rangers felt the need at defence was more of an issue than the top 6 as reflected by the combined -30 between Johnson and Reilly throughout the last leg of the season so far and Olli provides an immediate upgrade on the back end. The top 6 fix was too move Poeling up with Chytil and Suzuki and move Suzuki to the wing which worked admirably in the Rangers crushing of the Wings the following day. That created a hole in the bottom six which was temporarily filled by David Gustaffson who double shifted, centering both of the bottom 2 lines.
Enter Tim Schaller(swapped for Mike Reilly). A straight swap of scratched players allowed both teams to bring in depth without tinkering with the current lineups and was a pretty low risk player swap. Tim, however, will indeed be used on the third line and brings the perfect set of skills to do so. He will center the line between Kahun and Roustalinen.
Finally, the rangers swapped Jack Johnson for Johnathan Merrill and sent out prospect Artyom Duda to balance the deal. Merrill brings another level of defense to a team that was lacking and will hopefully plug the leaky boat that was the rangers defense. He's currently slotted beside Larsson on the 3rd pairing but has the skills to move up if need be.
All in all, the Rangers played it safe but were able to upgrade positions of need at little cost. It's also noteworthy that Merrill and Matta are both signed through the 2024-25 season so the pressure to make the playoffs isn't as heavy.
Dick Brainless
Big Apple Babble
