Many people have been asking me what GM Glen Sather will do if he is unable to acquire first line center Brad Richards this coming July when free agency opens in the NHL. Larry Brooks at the New York Post came up with a good suggestion for a "Plan B" to fall back on if Richard doesn't sign here, and it involves 28-year-old center Stephen Weiss of the Florida Panthers...
Speaking of which: after watching Nathan Horton's breakout playoffs, who doesn't wonder who Stephen Weiss might play for if freed from the shackles of Sunrise, where the sun always sets on the hockey team?
Slats, perhaps, if Brad Richards can't be signed?
Brooks makes a good point about Nathan Horton really coming along upon being traded out of the Florida market to Boston, where he recently has helped his team reach the Stanley Cup Finals. You cannot help but to wonder if the same would happen to Weiss, a very talented forward, if he was brought into an offensive system in a town where hockey gets a bit more of the spotlight.
The thing is, Weiss still has two years remaining on his contract at $3.1 million per, so the Rangers would have to be willing to give in order to get in this particular situation. And it would probably require them to give quite a substantial amount because Florida is not going to cough up one of their best players for nothing, especially since they have the lowest payroll in the National Hockey League by far.
In 76 games played with the Panthers this past season, Weiss recorded 21 goals and 28 assists for a total of 49 points.
I would much rather see sSats go in this direction. He is younger and cheaper than Richards. The Rangers have a ton of assets to give up maybe Florida would take DelZotto/Gilroy and Grachev. You don't know until you ask.
Posted by: JohnP | Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 11:34 AM
I'm a Ranger fan living-in South Florida. Weiss has talent but is softer than Scott tissue. Stay away!!
Posted by: earl | Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 11:37 AM
Patrick Sharp, any trade should be for him and the possibility for acquiring another 1st rounder in this years draft ranging from 9th to 14th and with our two selections, drafting Mark Mcneill and Tyler Biggs...Imagine this line of Krieder and Biggs being centered by Stepan..wow...nice line and McNeill I think will be the steal of the draft and a perfect fit...now if we can not get someone to play with Gaborik then it may be time to trade him as well and the best return for him will be Brayden Schenn...Richards, folks is not the answer
Posted by: Leatherneckinlv | Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 11:46 AM
What about Stastny?
Posted by: Ian | Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 12:23 PM
Plan C? :)
Posted by: Nick Montemagno | Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 02:41 PM
For the future, no, Richards is not the answer. But for next season, yes, he is the answer - or at least part of it.
Posted by: Nick Montemagno | Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 02:42 PM
Hmmmm. Interesting. Thanks for the heads up.
Posted by: Nick Montemagno | Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 02:42 PM
Mixed reviews and feelings on Weiss...id like stastny if we lost out on Richards but the price would be steep...might get killed for this, but what about going after Spezza?
Posted by: MvpGaborik | Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 05:06 PM
That would be veeery tough lol
Posted by: Nick Montemagno | Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 09:59 PM