from Larry Brooks of the New York Post,
There are two distinct counting categories that confront NHL general managers. One is the cap. The other is the calendar.
Chris Drury appears to have done a rather fine job at tackling the first element on the Rangers’ coupon-clipping foray into the opening of the free agent market. The second, well, that is an age-old question to which the answer won’t be known for months.
In a young man’s league that trends younger by the day, the Blueshirts have become an Outpost for Old Men — at least up front following Saturday’s activity that included signing five forwards. The commonality shared by Blake Wheeler, Nick Bonino, Tyler Pitlick, Riley Nash and Alex Belzile is they are 31 or older with all but Belzile at least age 33.
Adding these forwards to a roster featuring Mika Zibanejad (30), Chris Kreider (32), Artemi Panarin (32 at the end of October), Vincent Trocheck (30 on July 11), Barclay Goodrow (30) and Jimmy Vesey (30) indicates that the organization should probably adopt a grey jersey as an alternate sweater.
Chances are the Rangers will open in Buffalo on Oct. 12 with a roster including only three forwards younger than 30: Filip Chytil (24 on Sept. 5), Alexis Lafreniere (22 on Oct. 11), Kaapo Kakko (22). See why even if they have outgrown the “Kid” moniker, it applies here?
I am attending a party later with some of my area friends who are Rag$ fans....and I am too lazy to do the math - but I would submit that for ALL THE GRIEF I get from them about the Islanders being old from the Rag fans and the media.....per Cap Friendly --- The Rag$ are actually now possibly the older team. Of course - UFA season has to be completed.
(Avg. Age as of today on Cap Friendly)
POSITION NYI Rag$
Offense 29.6 29.3
Defense 25.9 28.5
Goal 31 32.8
The above figures do not factor in one player on the Injured Reserve list who is 23 year old Oliver Wahlstrom.
Now the Isles have been a slower than average team for sure.
Detroit is 25.4 for forwards 27.7 for defenseman and 31.0 for D with only 24 year old Michael Rasmussen being on LTIR and not factored in.
So - I wonder what this means for the Rag$ in terms of how they will match up in the Metro?
Specifically vs. Carolina and NJ
Jersey is building a powerhouse and THAT is the team I am frightened of - especially if the goaltending situation is real. With Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec knocking on the door........could be the team to beat in the East as BOS and TB are likely going to go down a half a notch.
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