Right off the bat, I don't think this would happen at all. But I decided to see if I could add two of my favorite non-Rangers while keeping the team identity alive. I think this would perfectly fill the void of that gritty-but-can-score 3rd line the Rangers are trying to find, at trade/signing values that aren't completely crazy.
I think it's best for Chytil to go to a team where he can focus on offense first, instead of trying to be molded into something he probably isn't like he is right now. With the Rangers very likely signing Strome, this spells the end for Chytil in NYR. He goes to CBJ (who really don't have many clear cut centers) for Maximum Domi at the 2022 deadline (with retention if NYR needs it at the time). I think 1 for 1 is plenty fair, but NYR can add picks if absolutely necessary. I threw in a 2nd round pick to reflect that. Domi is signed in the off season at a lower rate than his last contract as he simply hasn't lived up to it over the last few years.
The Habs trade - again, at the 2022 deadline - is a big one, as has been rumored to happen for the last couple of months. But this time, with different players, and a whole lot of retention going on. This one may be a bit far fetched, but I really tried to sweeten the pot for MTL, so here it goes. With Montembowl's emergence, MTL may be looking to move Jake the Snake to get out of his contract next year. NYR is looking for a competent backup, so it's a match made in heaven. Georgiev is traded elsewhere for whatever picks possible or simply unsigned if unable to make a 2022 deadline move, since MTL likely doesn't need him (but, he can be added to the trade if necessary). Anderson - signed for 5 long years after this year - is also added to the trade, as MTL seemingly want to shed at least one of their big money long term winger contracts. Both players with 50% retention, for two young prospects they are allegedly really interested in, a cap dump, and multiple picks. With Nemeth's M-NTC now waived for this trade, they can move him elsewhere for picks with possible retention later. But, they really don't have many NHL defensemen over there... could be useful to keep him during the re-tool. The D prospect can either be Hajek (who, they are allegedly really interested in... for some reason?), or Lundkvist, or both. Kravstov is the forward prospect, who MTL has been linked to from the get-go. I know this retention is a lot, but I don't really see them moving Anderson or Gallagher or Hoffman without some retention. Unless St. Louis has changed their mind on doing the re-tool...
As far as the NYR lineup goes, Kakko gets a short term, low cap extended try out, but with Anderson and Domi lying in wait, he will be on a short leash. One or the other can be moved up to the 2nd line if Kakko continues his struggles (even though, Kakko's struggles are only because of David Quinn's ice time). If NYR doesn't believe Barron is ready, Rooney will be signed for a similar price. Allen joins as the backup for one year while they try to see if Wall or Huska can emerge as a backup the following year.
2023-2024 Rangers have 14 contracts signed with 12million in projected cap space and big pieces Lafreniere (~4mil) and Miller (~2.5mil) to sign, and after them, 5.5mil for 4-7 4th line/3rd pairing/scratches/backup goalie contracts. I find this relatively comfortable.
Unless a league minimum contract could be worked out, Blais can either be added to the CBJ/MTL trades, sent elsewhere for whatever pick possible, or simply left unsigned. In a regular universe where real trades are made, either Domi or Anderson won't be signed, and Blais will be signed for cheaper in their place. But, this is a fantasy world, so...
Can be added to the MTL trade in place of Libor Hajek. I put in Hajek, because allegedly they are really interested in him? I don't know why, either. I think Lundkvist makes a lot more sense. The fact NYR are playing Schneider over Lundkvist right now seems to say they like him a lot better.
50% retention is not an option. Even $1M for 5 years is ill advised. Certainly not with a contract coming back.
Anderson should be a 1st and Schneider minimum (without retention). No, his value isn't that high at this time, but it could rise and until it does he has more value to Montreal than in a trade.
His line with Suzuki and Caufield is clicking because he's a great fit. Keeping them productive and improving is more important than a couple picks and prospects.
50% retention is not an option. Even $1M for 5 years is ill advised. Certainly not with a contract coming back.
Anderson should be a 1st and Schneider minimum (without retention). No, his value isn't that high at this time, but it could rise and until it does he has more value to Montreal than in a trade.
His line with Suzuki and Caufield is clicking because he's a great fit. Keeping them productive and improving is more important than a couple picks and prospects.
50% is definitely steep, but to make it work for NYR it'd need to be that much (or close to it). With Domi, anyway. I was definitely just having a little fun here. But I don't see how they'd trade Anderson without any retention at all. It gets them a young potential top 6 winger and offensive minded top 4 defenseman, which I think would really help them. I don't see them getting close to that for him from anywhere else. But as a fan of MTL as well, I'd love it if they kept him and that line anyway.
Again, all assuming that they do indeed enter some sort of a retool. And I may just be looking too much into it, but I also kind of thought putting him on the 1st line was to beef up his potential trade value
Ok, please tell me what exactly you like about Domi?
The 18-19 season speaks for itself, as well as most of his years in ARI. He's definitely struggled to keep the consistency, but when he's on his game he's that player everyone wants on their team. It's kind of tough to gauge his CBJ years given how weird that team was under Torts, and much of the same this year. He's everything the Rangers want... tough to play against, can score anywhere in the lineup, and has the famous #Grit. Also plays center, and helps cement an identity down on the 3rd line. Chytil down there kind of makes that difficult right now.
The 18-19 season speaks for itself, as well as most of his years in ARI. He's definitely struggled to keep the consistency, but when he's on his game he's that player everyone wants on their team. It's kind of tough to gauge his CBJ years given how weird that team was under Torts, and much of the same this year. He's everything the Rangers want... tough to play against, can score anywhere in the lineup, and has the famous #Grit. Also plays center, and helps cement an identity down on the 3rd line. Chytil down there kind of makes that difficult right now.
Famous for grit? You know hes got 12 hits in 46 games right? He averages 0.5 a hit per game for his career. Thats not very gritty. All he is is annoying. Hes also only taken 20 faceoffs all year so it doesnt help us there either. I guess were pretty good short handed when he takes a dumb penalty. His career is on a downslope, why would you want to bring that here instead of, for example Lawson Crouse, whose trajectory is upwards and you know the guy bangs.