Blog Archives
O’Reilly gets massive extension with Sabres, what this means for Stepan’s future
Bobby Bevilacqua
Ryan O’Reilly received a massive contract extension after being traded to the Buffalo Sabres, a contract that could wind up driving Derek Stepan’s price through the roof. Photo courtesy of Doug Pensinger/Getty Images.
When the season ended for the Rangers, and bloggers and beat writers began speculating, the general consensus was that Derek Stepan, an RFA, would command $6 million a year for a long term deal. Personally, I thought that even that was a bit too much money for Stepan, but it seemed like he would be able to get that much. And then the Buffalo Sabres came along.
The Sabres made a draft day trade for 24 year old Ryan O’Reilly in order to be their number one center, and take pressure off of Jack Eichel, and create a strong top line of Evander Kane, O’Reilly and Tyler Ennis. They then proceeded to sign him to a massive seven year, $52.5 million deal that would pay him an average of $7.5 million a year.
Now I know that the Sabres don’t have anyone of O’Reilly’s caliber at the center position, but that’s no excuse to overpay him like that. For a player that has broken 20 goals and 60 points once, that is a ridiculous amount of money. O’Reilly will be making the same amount of money as Pavel Datsyuk, Steven Stamkos and Jason Spezza, and he will be making more than guys like Patrice Bergeron, Anze Kopitar, Tyler Seguin and John Tavares after this season. For 2015-16 his cap hit will be $6 million, and the new contract will kick in for the following year. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers have a smart and effective first day of free agency
Bobby Bevilacqua
There were no major moves for the Rangers, but Viktor Stalberg was the “biggest” signing for Gorton. Photo courtesy of Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports.
While the Rangers didn’t have much cap space to work with going into free agency, Jeff Gorton made the best with what little he had on his first day as the Rangers GM, signing some players for the Wolf Pack, adding a cheap seventh defenseman and a solid depth forward for either the third or fourth line.
Jeff Gorton has been waiting for a few years for his chance to run the New York Rangers. Everybody knew that it was going to happen. But nobody knew when. I’m not quite sure which previous moves that Gorton had his hands in, but if yesterday was the first official day on the job, then he made a good first impression. He made little, smart, effective moves to help address some of the Rangers needs. Read the rest of this entry
Glen Sather steps down as GM, Jeff Gorton takes his place
Bobby Bevilacqua
Jeff Gorton has officially taken over as the General Manager of the New York Rangers. Photo courtesy of Ron Antonelli.
In what has been rumored for quite some time now, Glen Sather has officially announced that he is stepping down as the GM of the New York Rangers, a position he has held since 2000. In his place is now Jeff Gorton, the assistant GM who has been getting more and more responsibilities over the past few years.
Sather is not completely removed from the Rangers organization, and will remain as team president. Gorton and he will continue to work together, but now Gorton will have the final word on players and all negotiations.
“Jeff has been an integral part of our success since joining the Rangers, and he has earned the respect of colleagues throughout the hockey community,” Sather said. “He is well prepared for and extremely deserving of this opportunity.”
Gorton, 46, has been a member of the Rangers organization since 2006 and has served as the Assistant GM for the past four years. He played a key role in the draft selections of Derek Stepan, Jesper Fast, Chris Kreider and JT Miller, as well as being a major part of the trades for Rick Nash, Keith Yandle, derick Brassard and Ryan McDonagh. He also was vital in the free agent signings of Kevin Hayes and Mats Zuccarello. Read the rest of this entry
2015 NHL Draft: New York Rangers Draft Recap
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of the Florida Panthers.
The Rangers were without a first round draft pick again this season, unable to get one in return for Cam Talbot, but they still managed to stockpile seven young prospects in the deep 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
The second draft day was hectic for Glen Sather and his management group, trading away Carl Hagelin and some draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks for Emerson Etem and to move up to the 41st pick in the second round. Cam Talbot was dealt shortly after that to the Edmonton Oilers for a three picks, which Sather eventually turned into four with a trade with the Washington Capitals.
After the day was done, Assistant GM Jeff Gorton said that the Rangers were motivated by their lack of draft picks, and that combined with the salary cap was the main reason for the trades. After dealing away so many first round picks in recent years, Sather needed to recuperate his losses and garner as many prospects as possible. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers Update: Sather turns down deal for Talbot, New Salary Cap set
Bobby Bevilacqua
Cam Talbot is the number one target for both the Buffalo Sabres and the Edmonton Oilers. Will he be able to bring a first round pick in return? Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
It was a busy day in the NHL today, with the league agreeing on a new salary cap, and trade rumors surrounding Cam Talbot coming to a head, with an actual offer being made to the Rangers.
This afternoon, Darren Dreger reported that a team (not specified) offered Glen Sather two second round picks for Cam Talbot, which he turned down. Sather realizes that Talbot is the most coveted goalie on the market, and wants to maximize his return.
Peter Chiarelli, the new GM of the Edmonton Oilers, would disagree. This afternoon, he said that the market for goaltenders is actually a buyer’s market. Read the rest of this entry
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