Latest on Derek Stepan’s contract negotiations with the New York Rangers, while the Buffalo Sabres target free-agent defenseman Johnny Oduya.
No progress in contract talks between center Derek Stepan and the New York Rangers.
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports July 27 is the date for New York Rangers center Derek Stepan’s arbitration hearing in Toronto. Brooks claims Rangers management and Stepan’s agent haven’t even quite reached the stage of preliminary talks, as the Blueshirts haven’t made an opening offer yet. It could take a six-year, $39 million opening bid to things rolling. Brooks claims there’s no evidence the Rangers are considering trading Stepan before his arbitration hearing.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It would certainly be shocking if the Rangers traded Stepan before his July 27th arbitration hearing. If his case goes to arbitration, it’ll be interesting to see how much he gets on a two-year deal. This could be gamesmanship on the Rangers’ part. Then again, perhaps both sides believe they have plenty of time to hammer out an agreement before then.
I doubt the Blueshirts will trade away Stepan or walk away from an arbitration award as that would leave a huge hole at center. Then again, I didn’t believe the Bruins and Blackhawks could be swayed by fear of an offer sheet into trading Dougie Hamilton and Brandon Saad.
If they do trade Stepan, it’ll have to be to teams that can afford to pay him over $6.5-million per season on a long-term deal with assets to help the Rangers rebuild. Presently, there’s not many teams that fit the description. Many of those sitting well below the cap ceiling are under self-imposed ceilings. This will be worth watching over the next couple of weeks.
THE BUFFALO NEWS: Mike Harrington reports the Buffalo Sabres still need “another quality left-shot blueliner” and could pursue UFA defenseman Johnny Oduya. There’s rumors the Sabres made a big offer on July 1 to the 33-year-old Oduya, whose preference is to return with the Chicago Blackhawks. Their limited cap space and addition of Trevor Daley in the recent Patrick Sharp trade could prevent that. Harrington speculates Buffalo or Boston could be Oduya’s likely landing spots.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Having dealt Daley to Chicago, the Dallas Stars could also be a destination for Oduya. The Blackhawks must re-sign Marcus Kruger and perhaps add an affordable seventh defenseman. Unless they shed more salary first, I can’t see them having room for Kruger and Oduya, leaving the Sabres, Bruins and Stars as perhaps his only choices.
I like Oduya as a player, but don’t want him in Boston. The bruins imo are not a cup contender and Oduya wouldn’t change that. Therefore might as well have a look at Miller, Trotman and Morrow and whatever other youngster they believe has the abilities to contribute, then evaluate from there.
agreed…he won’t go to the bruins…thats not even an option or a fit…nor do i see the stars taking a run at him…i think they are happy with the mix they have no and also have some young players they are looking to get more time for…sabres are possiblity though…and i also, disagree with Lyle’s previous comment that either team was worried about offer sheets…both instances weren’t impacted by the worry of offer sheets…there were other factors that led to those decisions then offer sheets…espeically hamilton, take cap or offer sheet out and i believe hamilton still wasn’t going back to boston…
Sweeney said he only wants players that want to play in Boston. When Hamilton refused close to the same offer he signed for in Calgary and asked for $2m more per season, it was clear that Dougie didn’t want to be in Boston for whatever the reason. I just felt they should’ve gotten more for Hamilton, the same way they should’ve gotten more for Seguin and even Thorton, but I can’t live in the past, only look forward to the future.
should have gotten more for Thornton and probably seguin but hamilton they had no leverage…to think anyone would give them more picks is not reasonable in two back to backup solid deep drafts or a roster player was not going to happen..unfortunately they got what they could get i believe…
I’m not to sure. The general consensus when that went down was that their were plenty of GM’s surprised at how low the cost was and that he was even available. If true, I’d think a bidding war likely would of up’d his price. But is it true?
Didn’t Edmonton make a better offer with a higher draft pick and Sweeney turned it down?
that was rummoured about the oilers but they didn’t have a higher first then boston got from calgary. and i believe the stumbling block with oilers was the bruins wanted nurse back for hamilton but oilers said no. thats what i took from the pieces of rumours but whose knows. so many sports journalist blog and spread so much rumour that it’s tough to weed out what the truth is and what is just click bait for media outlets to get views.
Agreed, but I think the smart money here is either Oduya and/or Franson going to Dallas. There is slots for either and a good opportunity to get solid minutes and contribute on a decent team. Dallas needs veteran D, so it would be fantastic for them as well. Seems like a fit for both sides.
Well, I believe Oduya would be a good fit in Boston. With Oduya, and with solid seasons from Krejci, Belesky and Hayes, the Bruins could surprise this coming season. They still have the pieces for a deep playoff run.
Per the CBA, once a player files for arbitration, they can not be traded. The team can walk away from the award and they can trade him afterward, but never before.
I think if Ny was planning on trading Stepan, Hagelin would have been spared. It would also be a clear sign of blowing up the roster. NY has been pretty close the last few years. I just can’t see them deciding now is the time to go a different direction. What’s going on with Stepan is pretty typical of all RFA’s to go through their system. So this dragging out is no surprise at all to NY fans.
I agree. Personally I love Stepan. He is everything I want in a hockey player. I would b amazed if the Rangers let him go. Yet cap dollars sometimes may be more valuable. I think adding a player like Stepan may be something that would entice a team with a self imposed cap to break out the wallet a bit. But Stepan is not an elite offensive force. He is a solid all around player. What is that worth these days? 6+ million? That could be a difficult pill to swallow for many. However I would so love for Ottawa to get him. Fat chance of that happening haha.
If the sabres add oduya, Tim Murray should be win the GM of the offseason award. They would probably be playoff bound-I guess it all lands on lehner’s shoulders- but no one should be suprised after the sheer amount of talent buffalo has added should they creep into the dance.
I still think that Chicago will offload another high priced deal to resign oduya though. Can’t imagine coach q sacrificing his defense over his forwards. In the playoffs, he can just ride towes kane hossa ect for 20-30 minutes a game. Same goes with Keith and seabrook, but you need guys who can back then up.
Possible, but a lot of Buffalo’s fortunes are tied to Lehner. In Ottawa it was rare last season for him to let in less than 4 goals. He is still a young tender and may still require time to develop. Will be interesting to see how he does in Buffalo.
Like you Jeff I’m a Sens fan and saw a lot of games. I didn’t like how Lehner got hot and sometimes threw his team under the bus and started tantrums. I know that doesn’t rub well with the players.
If he changes his attitude in Buffalo, I think he’ll be great because many times he stood on his head and looked unbeatable. It’s just when he gets lit up, he gets flustered and lashes out.
Personally I really liked him till he started that crap. Not that I’m glad to see him go, but I like O’Connor’s poise better. NCAA final blooper aside lol.
Yeah I have mixed feelings on Lehner. I haven’t yet felt he was ready for the starter job but I have long been of the opinion that for the most part with rare exceptions like Raask and such Goalies don’t claim the starter roll until around 26-28 yrs of age. I thought signing Anderson for 3 more years was great as it allowed time for Lehner to grow but then in comes the Hamburgler and suddenly Lehner is the hot commodity to bring in a 1rst round draft pick. A value I would not of placed on him myself. So I am happy with the return but and wary that he may turn in to a great tender.
Not sure about the Sabres yet. Johnny o would help, but I think he’s creeping towards no man’s land by not having a deal by 7.13. He may end up with fewer options, less term and less money. Nice to wait for Chicago to free up buckls, but it may backfilre on him.
Buffalo needs O’Rielly to come through, leadership, faceoffs, playing the kind of hockey he played in Colorado. Sabres are banking (literally) on Ryan taking his game to a new level. Bad contract, horrible contract -probably, but if this all comes together with O’Rielly, Jack, Reinhart and Girginsons, this may be one heack of a team.
Not a bad contract by today’s standards. He’s a 50-65 point guy who plays a total package type of game. A lot like Toews. Toews has only been to 70+ points once in his career I believe. He’s gettin $10+ Mill. Unlike ROR he had all the necessary talent around him to get 3 Cups. Other than being on a loaded team ROR and Toews are very similar and honestly the contract he got was well deserved.
Lehner will be the biggest question mark. I was hoping Sabres put Johnson on waivers for purpose of buyout and sign a just incase goalie like Neuvirth.
I’d much rather go after Hamhuis in a trade than sign Oduya who has had not the greatest possession numbers. If we do sign Oduya then I’m all for it as long as it’s not going over 3 years.
There is one team without a self imposed cap that can afford to absorb that kind of deal for Stepan, but its the Devils.
I think the rangers had their shot with the current core to win it all and just came up short. Lundy is closing in on 35, and Staal will never be the same player because of his eye injury. Time is closing in where they will have to take a hard look and make some tough roster decisions. Teams that don’t only delay the inevitable and make the return to greatness that much harder.
I know it’s often talked about the “Rangers window closing” however I totally disagree. Stepan 25, Kreider 24, Brassard 27, Miller 22, Fast 23, Zuccs 27, Hayes 23, McDonagh 26, Staal 28, Lundqvist is 33, not 35. And plenty of goaltenders perform on a good level at his age and beyond. Honestly, he didn’t look like his age this year, or through the post season imo. . They are FAR from an old team. Also, a year or 2 ago, I would have agreed about Staal not being the same. He seemed to loose sight of the puck near his feet at times, but he seems to have adjusted/bounced back well from that injury.
But I find it ironic you mention the Devils in the same breath when talking about age. I could be mistaken, but I’m pretty sure the Devils were one of the oldest teams in the NHL last year.
Totally agree NYR.
You guys are still very young.
I think Lundqvist should have been traded the year before his UFA period. You guys would’ve made a pretty penny. Edmonton probably would’ve gave you one of their firsts+.
Also Nash is up there as well. He makes a lot. Finally had a good season. I doubt he scores 40 again.
All this time I thought the Devils had a self imposed cap. Stepan be a good fit for them though and their historic style but that style is change. Heck who cares, if they can get em get em.
Oh and the Rangers will be a force for years to come. The team is well built, pretty solid all around. The lost a valuable player but we will see how they round out next season. I confident they will be a measuring stick for other teams yet again.
As a die-hard Ranger’s fan and a fan of Stepan, I just don’t see Stepan being worth the money he’s surely asking for. Reminds me of the Callahan fiasco…. give him 5 years 5.5 mil and don’t give him a NTC… 16 goals and 54 pts is note elite..sorry..
And paying Lundquist 10mil a year is absurd..again, sorry..Talbot, albeit, not as good as Lundquist, although a better stick handler, would have given the team a lot of flexibility to bring in other players..I know he’d never get traded and surely has the dreaded NTC, but he’s killing us cap wise.
I for one would have traded Lunqvist to Edm. for Hall and a pick and retained Talbot . Not sure Edm. would have done this but there is a big market for the king.
I agree. issue is he too has a no trade clause.
Unfortunately the bar is set by other signings. ROR, ….. Toews, only had 66 points and is making 10.5, per against the cap.So Stepan (obviously not Toews) in only worth half of Toews in terms of dollars? I also think you need to look at his overall game, not just the pretty stats. I am not sold on point producers being as valuable as people make it out to be. 9 of the leading top 20 scorers did not make the playoffs at all. An additional 4 were bounced in the 1st round, and none of the top ten made it through the 2nd round.
All that being said, if they don’t re-sign Stepan, who takes his place? Moore? Hayes? Lindberg?…I can’t see it.
I hear ya..Seems to me that you need to grow talent, don’t go the Boyle/MSL/Yandle route and build a contender that way..have a small window to win it all before having to pony up for your home grown talent – which then basically puts you into cap trouble.. I don’t know who would/could replace him, just seems we throw 6.5- 7mil at him along with the other contracts we have on this team and we’re done..Boyle is horrible, I said it from day 1… Yandle trade I hated as well… and the MSL deal I also was 100% against, would much rather have traded callahan for draft picks…
Look at these two $10.5 million dollar contract that Toews and Kane have received and the pressure that Bowman is under to stay under the cap. To his credit he has proven to do a good job at trading and receiving decent assets but getting tougher. Should of signed both at $8.5 and had an extra $5 mill to get things done.
Contracts take both parties to agree. Kane and Toews would not have signed for $8.5M.
I like the Sabres going for Oduya, he was really consistent for the Hawks in the playoffs and will bring a great Veteran presence to what should be an up-and-coming D corp.
Oduya played well in Atlanta and Winnipeg as well
Just heard that Habs offered J. Tlusty 7,5 M/3 years
Apparently are in as well for E. Fehr.
Also heard that A. Galchenyuk might get traded. Talking Edmonton, St-Louis and San Jose.
Hey Spec,
You hear anything else about the Sabres besides the Oduya thing?
Jeff, I agree with that. I would also say, Boston could’ve waited for an offer sheet. Hamilton wouldn’t of signed that contract with Calgary because he knew Boston would immediately match that offer. The offer sheet would’ve been at least $7m in order to scare off the bruins. Evan so as Jeff suggested, let everyone know he is available and see what the offers are. I think Boston took the safe deal and didn’t explore their options. If this was to prevent Edmonton from getting him, then that’s just Petty.
I hope the Habs won’t give too much money for guys like Tlusty and Fehr. I would go for rookies for third or fourth line spots. Galchenyuk said in the media he didn’t like his ice time and would like to play a more offensive role. Unfortunately for him it’s on the ice he should earn this role. Still keep the puck too long, and it’s very easy to predict his move in the offensive zone. i’m not giving up on him just yet but this year could decide if he’s only a third line player or the important member of the CH he was supposed to become. Maybe Bergevin should try to get his junior partner Yakupov ?
One player I’d like to see come to Buffalo is John Erskin. And/or Tim Gleason, Matt Carkner or Shane O’Brien.
I think Buffalo needs one good sized d-man to watch over things on the back end! My first choice would be Erskin and then invite the others for a try-out.
I don’t want to “goon” up Buffalo, but I don’t want ever want a Miller/Lucic thing again. And with our young goalie and fairly young defense, we can’t afford not to have that protection. We can use some insurance on the back-end. We can’t have Zach B. fighting and Cody can run up the ice every time!!
We are good with D now just need a good LHD. We have good power on our team as well. Like Deslauriers is one of the best fighters in the league, Bogosian can both stand up for teammates.
I wasn’t ever really pro Miller. Somewhere in the middle. Miller came out pretty fast too and he knows Lucic is a dirty player he had to know more than likely something was gonna happen. Hell goalies get run over when they are just behind the net with teammates. So IMO it was a dumb decision on both parties involved.