Rangers/Del Zotto Far Apart; Sauer Feeling Better
Larry Brooks at the New York Post reports that the Rangers and Michael Del Zotto (RFA) are not close to striking a deal.Brooks adds that Negotiations are expected to intensify over the next couple of weeks.
The Blueshirts are believed to be offering a multi-year deal in the neighborhood of $2.2 million to $2.5 million per season.
Del Zotto's last contract paid him $1.087 million per.
...if Brooks is right, how much could Del Zotto be asking? $4 million per? Which would be ridiculous. I think a salary right in the middle would be fair. Four years at $3 million per. As a comparison, Girardi makes $3.4 million, while Staal makes $3.6 million.
...Del Zotto's first three seasons in the league have obviously been mixed, but I think the skills for him to become the Rangers power play quarterback of the future are there, so even if the Blueshirts have to bump their offer up a bit to $3 million per year, it would be worth it.
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Brooks also gives us some not so great news on the health front, as there is scant optimism within the Rangers' camp that Michael Sauer will be cleared for a return to duty, even if this season's opener is delayed by months.
Sauer is feeling better but is not believed symptom-free. If he cannot play he would be placed on the long-term injury list.
...as we saw with Staal, even if Sauer returns at some point this year, it will likely take him half the season to return to form and that's without any setbacks which are always a possibility. Look at Crosby.
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Finally, Brooks says that Derek Stepan, Ryan McDonagh, Carl Hagelin and Del Zotto (if signed) all would require waivers in order to be assigned to the AHL Whale in the event of a lockout, if the NHL and NHLPA operate under the guidelines that were in place in 2004-05 .
On that same note, Jess Rubenstein at The Prospect Park mentions that the Rangers might keep JT Miller in juniors this season as not to use a year of his Entry Level Contract during a lockout.
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How did the flyers extend both Simmons and Hartnell to long term deals for less than market value and we can't resign a kid to reasonable money who's one year removed from an AHL demotion? Do people wanna stay flyers that bad? And if so, what for!? With the addition of Nash we are so much better than Philly now! Stay and win your cup Mike!
According to some Puck Daddy commenters, we are way underestimating DZ. Evdently he's the second comig of Weber:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/learned-mean-nhl-cancel-star-game-133903254--nhl.html
elzotto get your head out of teh clouds, you are not a game breaker
you arelucky to be offered 2M , take it and run
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MDZ is NOT worth $3 million or higher. chrisD said it perfectly here...
"he hasnt eraned that kind of salary 3 years in-he is not on par with Staal or Garadi."
So many of you guys are ready to bury this guy already. This kid is 22! The fact that we have already seen some real good things is a huge sign of his potential.
I'm not saying pay him what he wants, but take a deep breath and let him play.
@GraigGiuliani Sure let him play - with Staal or Girardi as his back up to save his ass. Put him with anyone else and it's a disaster. He can grow and improve but let him earn his way to 3 mil. Remember this guy was sent back to the minors in his second season. And his head was so far out if the game against the Devils in the playoffs that I'm pissed he's balking at less than 3 mil!
@GraigGiuliani I don't like his personality and I know I'm not alone. Look at guys like stepan, kreider, and Hagelin. They aren't arrogant, they are down to earth. Del ziti needs more maturity
Still dont think he should have a $3M salary just yet. $2.8/2.9M at most. Starting to feel like this is another Dubi situation in the making.
@ATCRyan +1 to another dubinsky situation. We all know the fall of dubi was his contract. He couldn't hack it and knew he was done with the rangers. Michael del ziti do you want to end up in Columbus when you can't play up to your contract?
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i'm really not a fan of giving this arrogant overrated blueliner $3 million (or more) a year. his minutes were high but he hasnt eraned that kind of salary 3 years in-he is not on par with Staal or Garadi.
one problem is Philly is SO desperate for D right now that they would likely offer him $3 million or more and we'd have to match to keep him. Sucks that Sauer isn't 100% or Del-turnover's asking price would not be nearly as high.
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let him go to Philly where his bloated +/- wo't be inflated by hank. Playing in front of HumongousBig is a whole different bag of pucks
@AnnoyingJoe what I'm really not liking at the moment is the reality that we need him - and he's not as valuable as trade bait if he gets a big pay day. True - he'd look so much worse in another city in front of a goalie other than the king.
If Rangers do go to $3 million, they're paying for what Del Zotto could be not what he's done.
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Seems as though he's using what leverage he has with the lack of good dmen available. As stated below, his inconsistency is maddening and he's generally been a turnover machine. Based on playoffs, Strahlman was more effective on the PP point as MDZ decision making with the puck is awful, both in the zone and gaining the o zone. He did get tougher and improve in the d zone, and huge points for sticking his shoulder in Neil's chin as payback. So "with that being said" I don't think he warrants a raise to $3mm, nor a pay grade near Stall and Girardi, based on potential. Should be an interesting negotiation. Kudos to this cup o coffee I'm sipping.
@the1monker Excellent points. If this cock-nose thinks that he's worth more than $2 million per then the Rangers should cut ties with him now before they have another Dubinsky situation on their hands.
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He did show moments of toughness, against Neil and other times in the regular season, but it always seemed so forced. He lacks the size and strength to overpower and strip the puck from an opposing F the way someone like Staal does. The playoffs showed eveything you needed to know of his potential and the organization would be wise to bring a "high"light reel of his performance to the next negotiations
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No one is going to miss hockey except us die hard fans. All the people that like hockey but not love it will just be more tuned into football. The owners and players act like its a big time sport but all a lockout will do is make it forgotten.
yeah well Sundays will be covered, but what about every other day of the week?? Our evenings are defined by whether or not there's a Ranger game on. AAAHHHHHH!
@TheNYRBlog As far as Dz goes I don't really see a deal getting done till there is a clear picture with the C.B.A.
I always thought MDZ was a mediocre 2nd pair d-man. and mediocre at best on the power play. To me, IMHO, he's not worth 3million. Obviously his defense & positioning have improved but, 3mil plus... IDK!
@RUMAN79 Del Zotto would have to sign an offer sheet and the Rangers would likely match. He'll still be a Ranger.
@TheNYRBlog Thanks Kev - I didnt know and appreciate the clarification. With my Jets and Mets, cannot wait for HOCKEY
@TheNYRBlog I can see him wanting around what Girardi and Staal got. He his offensive numbers are a bit better... but not more $ right now.
@JayoftheDead His offensive numbers maybe a bit better, but Staal & Girardi are better all around players. $3 million per is fair.
@TheNYRBlog I definitely agree. He's got a lot of upside, and he's still young. First time he's an RFA... he can get more down the road.
@TheNYRBlog DelZotto is garbage I have been saying all along he certainly is not worth what he is being offered
@TheNYRBlog This is how negotiation works. If the Rangers are offering 2 and he wants 3 asking for 3 could end up getting him 2.5
@TheNYRBlog lol...I agree with you though, bump it to $3mil aav, but we both know Sather won't budge
