Last week we discussed potentially trading Alexis Lafreniere and Braden Schneider as part of the Rangers' ongoing retool. Much of the recent media focus has centered on who might be leaving New York, but far less attention has been paid to what could come back in return. Today begins a look at potential trade partners, starting with scouting the Detroit Red Wings. The fit in Detroit for Braden Schneider, Vincent Trocheck, and/or Alexis Lafreniere is an interesting one.
I came into this season with an open mind. Mike Sullivan has the ability to take a very mediocre team and make it better. I expected the Rangers to rebound and make the playoffs due to a weak conference, even if this was viewed as a transition season. But there's a bleak Rangers future, and it's something very few of us anticipated. The Rangers weren't supposed to be this bad, even in a transition year.
The Tank is getting loud again, and there is an undeniable buzz and excitement for all things teal in the Bay. And with that comes a miserable, complicated, and ironically unenviable predicament for general manager Mike Grier. The hardest part of any rebuild — much less one as scorched-earth comprehensive as the project Grier has overseen — isn't starting it; it's deciding when it is over.
The Washington Commanders have relied heavily on veterans to steer them through the early stages of their exciting rebuild. However, that will change when general manager Adam Peters starts stacking good drafts. This was something the previous regime couldn't accomplish. Peters had to gut the roster and plug holes by any means necessary. The results speak for themselves, but the most sustainable way to build a perennial contender is through cheaper rookie contracts.
Ever since he first joined the Bruins back in 2014, David Pastrnak has gone on to be the franchise guy in Boston. He's the number one intangible, and somewhat untouchable guy for the Bruins. Pastrnak has played with the best of the best -- Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and Zdeno Chara -- but as of late, he seems to be the only real elite guy left.
The Washington Wizards started the offseason off with a bang by sending Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey and draft compensation to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for CJ McCollum and Kelly Olynyk. Washington made the move looking to not only add a reliable veteran addition to their backcourt in McCollum, but the team also looked to capitalize on Poole's career-year learning from the mistake they made with the mismanagement of Kyle Kuzma in seasons past.
Not only did he show during his freshman season at Texas that he has the tools and talent to be a franchise player at the next level, but the flashes he showed during Summer League play for the Wizards all but added fuel to the fire of the hype train behind the No. 6 overall pick. Johnson was a nice consolation prize for the Wizards after falling out of the top five during the NBA Draft Lottery.
