Don't understand the desire of Staal wanting to go to Dallas, or maybe even the want of Dallas for Staal. One year of Raanta isn't going to get you good prospect like Honda. Like the thought of trading for Shattenkirks rights, but it will take more than a UFA Smith would likely isn't going to sign with Caps.

Smith is a UFA. There are no rights. Why do Rangers fans have such a hard time with this concept?

Staal has a NMC. Maybe Girardi gets traded at some point as his NMC turns into a M-NTC. I am guessing Step gets traded prior to July 1 when his NMC kicks in. I'd rather pay Shatty more a year for less years. If he wants to chase money and play close to home. He will just goto the Devils. No way Dallas does that trade. The NYR would have to take Neimi at the very least. I was thinking a Girardi/Raanta for Neimi/Eakins trade.

it's rights to contract talks before they become and official UFA-- what do you not get about the same thing happening with yandle and how we traded rights to him

they are losing a quality defenseman in shatty in the offseason, smith is a solid defender and will be cheaper-- that was just my thought behind it. raanta is worth a first round pick with his play this year-- the rangers won't fall into another lackluster offer like they got for cam talbot which was a 2nd 3rd and 5th or something like that.. the desire for dallas is that niemi would be included and they wouldn't have to buy out two goaltenders. dallas doesn't have incredible depth on defense on the left side and staal is a depth defender. id swap for dallas' first rounder if liljegren falls to it (adding raanta)

Was about to respond about look what happened with Yandle and his rights being traded... capitals won't be able to sign shat, Oshie and others... shat will be gone so it actually may not be an awful swap for them, at least having the first few days to attempt to sign Smith. He is cheaper and is an actually better defender.