Leino Could Be A Nice Pickup
Andrew Gross at the Bergen Record says this year's free agent market is very thin and looks at the top five out there including Brad Richards, James Wisniewski, Christian Erhoff, Ville Leino and Tomas Vokoun.The one guy that interests me is Leino, which Gross says this about...
Ville Leino, LW: The Flyers have said they want to re-sign Leino, but if they jump in on Richards, that probably won't happen.
The 28-year-old Leino made $825,000 last year while putting up 19g, 34a.
...these are the type of guys I am interested in the Rangers going after. Cheap players going into their prime. Not always going to work out, but won't break the bank like a Richards.
...would love to hear your thoughts on the Rangers making a play for Leino.
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I think Leino would be a pretty good piece to throw in for the right price. But that's a great point about the Kopecky contract and if that's any indication of what we are looking at, then that's definitely a pass. What about Wisniewski though? Could be some much needed help on the PP, granted we could get him to make nice with Avery. We could use it.
Kinda liked what NHL network was saying last night in Erik Cole...could replace some leadership lost from drury
@rangerboy35I see your point. I think this team will have plenty of 'young' leadership. Veteran leadership will hopefully come from Feds and Richards. I like getting younger! WOOOOT! Its about freakin' time.
@rangerboy35 He'd have to come in real cheap. If they do bring in Cole you have to assume both Prospal and Feds aren't getting re-signed.
Would rather have Fedotenko then Cole. He has proven he fits in Torts system and won't cost as much.
Your reply made me think, if we don't sign richards, then we could bring Prospal back??? Don't know if i'd want to, but it would be an option. Interesting nobody has mentioned Prospal in that free agent pool...he will be a good signing for some team.
@TheAveryRule , yeah man, nice one. I hadn't thought of that either. There's reason for concern with Prospal, given his age and injuries. I know he continued working right after the end of the season and obviously he wants to come back. If he can have a healthy season he sure brings a lot to the club, intangibles included.
@TheAveryRule I had not thought that at all. But I really like that idea alot. I think its actually the best 1st line idea I've heard...sign Richards/prospal/feds/eminger. With free agent field so weak...just bring back our boys instead of Cole lienno etc
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I think we should bring Prospal back, ESPECIALLY if we get Richards. They both played in Tampa under Tortorella, could be a great 1st line mix of Prospal/Richards/Gaborik. I'd really like to see that line made.
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@KevinDeLury @rangerboy35 , I liked that they brought-up Cole too! I thought that was interesting. My first thought was Fedotenko, we don't need them both. Cole is older, but he did score 26 goals last year, but I don't know if we can expect more than 20 goals out of him, and it would have to be a low figure on his contract. I think even if he scores more than Feds, Feds brings more to the table. I kind of assume Prospal is out anyway... we'll see. Anyway, I will entertain any rumors of FA's to the Rangers for the moment.
I've advocated for signing Richards, but if we add a guy like Leiono and a center, I'll be more than happy.
First I would like to say: Great blog Kevin! Thanks for doing the dirty work. I follow you almost everyday. My response to this is: Nope. I agree I don't want to break the bank on Brad Richards but we have plenty of twenty goal scorers. I think Sean Avery is a better fit considering he is on the roster and we are already paying him. He has 15-20 goal potential when he gets the playing time. Then next year we have Mats/Haguelin/Thomas/Weise to fill that secondary, tertiary, scoring. We need a primary guy now. If Richards is too expensive then you let him go somewhere else and figure out what to do in camp. As I see it, Boyle is a legit third line center. Putting him on the fourth line and penalty kill is a great option if we get richards but if we don't, then Stepan plays with Gaborik. Anisimov with Callahan. Boyle centers the third line, Christiansen the fourth. The left wings depend on how camp goes. Your thoughts?
@Ranger Dave Appreciate your kind words. The Rangers never get potential I think Leino has the potential to be a 30 goal guy, but that's just me. I like your thinking build this club and add elite talent in 2-3 years.
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You can't spend this kind of money on a guy who's unproven and had one good year. If 4 million is what it takes why not take Richards? Richards or bust at this point.
Looks like it was Tom Gulitti, not Andrew Gross, but your point is well-taken, Kevin. I look forward to some news as new contracts are resolved.
@AG_Blue Oh crap. I just assumed b/c it was Rangers news in the Bergen Record it was Gross. Oh well.
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Would rather a promising 1st liner then another 2nd liner. We have plenty of them already
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The Rangers make a solid, cheaper, less glamorous free agent signing? You do know who our GM is right?
Depends on the price. He's a less physical, more scoring upside, Dubinsky-type player. If they can get him around $3M, go for it!
If Tomas Kopecky is getting 3 million a year Leino is getting at least 4. Cheap he will not be. He's a 2nd line type of guy...the Rangers need 1st liners.
@jasonshyer Yeah, I'd have to pass on $4 million, but I want to see the Rangers go after guys for what they have the potential to become not what they've already done.
