Four games into the season and I'm already looking into free agency of next year. Not to write off this season already, as I think this team will have ups and downs, but ultimately missing out on the playoffs. The primary reason will be getting goals when a certain Slovak is out of the lineup. Say what you will about the defense, but as bad as they were Monday against the Avalanche, 3 goals isn't absurd. And not to put any more on Hank's shoulders, but he can carry this defense a long ways. What he can't do is score goals.

Someone who can is Alexander Semin. A lot of them. He's put up 38, 26, 34, and 40 over the past four seasons, and don't think "oh they're Capital/Ovechkin inflated numbers." Playing with Ovi and Backstrom help, but let's not forget the guy has one of the best releases and shots in the game (that Gaborik guy is one of maybe 3 or 4 who can boast a better one). He also has tremendous hands and one-on-one moves. He looks primed to hit the market in Washington after consistent reports of their coach (won't name that fat ****) looking to move on without him. Plus, why would he have not signed a big extension like the other Cap stars by now? Things could always change, but there's a good chance he's a UFA next July.

Now i know he's been labeled soft and perhaps not a big time performer. Additionally his English is not very good, which doesn't bode well for fitting on a Tortorella team. However, his skill is undeniable and next year we could potentially afford to sign him to a deal he's worth. I'll throw out the seemingly obligatory 5 years/30 million at 6 mil per. I, for one, would look hard into signing him. He fills a HUMONGOUS/HUGE hole for us (you know I'm serious I used caps lock there) in both terms of RW depth and overall scoring. With Frolov and Prospal and coming off the books this deal could happen. Throw in a potential dump of Rozi at the deadline and we have more than enough room.

A lineup looking like this looks a helluva lot better than the ones we will see this year.

(I inserted Grachev as he should make the team next year. If not, there is more than enough reason to be concerned)

Grachev-AA-Gabby

Dubi-Stepan-Semin

Avery-Dreary-Cally

Boogeyman-Boyle-Prust

RW is a huge problem for us. Instead of crossing our fingers that MZA develops into a top-6 guy, we should (I can't believe I'm saying this after seeing some of the contracts we've handed out) splash the cash and get a guy who could score 30 with his eyes closed.

Signing Richards would be a cataclysmic mistake IMO. Signing someone over 30 to a multi-year deal  for at least 6.5 who seemingly has on and off years would be terrible. Yes, he is a legitimate #1 center and I know this team hasn't had one since the glory days of the Messiah. However, this team is currently built around Gabby and young centers in terms of offense. Gabs has never needed a #1 center to thrive (if last year doesn't prove that I don't know what will). Yea, maybe Richards makes him score 50 instead of 40-44. Woo hoo let's punch that ticket to the Cup now! But seriously, it is not as necessary as most Blueshirts think. Signing Semin would be a tremendous move. In a few years, our top 6 could potentially consist of Gabs, Semin, AA, Step, Grachev, and Kreider. Yes. Not to mention when Dreary and Rozi come off the books (counting down the days) we got 12 mil in cap space right there. Now Semin's contract is no big deal and we could bolster the blueline (the UFA Defenseman class of 2012 is real deep as of now, which of course could change).

Thoughts on both Semin and Richards?

ESPN's EJ Hradek stated on NHL Live that Derek Stepan is very close to signing a contract with the New York Rangers. There was no mention of possible terms, etc. Apparently Wisconsin's campus is aware of this as well, as the buzz there is that Stepan is leaving.

Yes.

Also, you have to wonder if this affect's Ryan McDonagh's decision to leave Wisconsin for New York as well. We shall see.

Update by Dave: 4:35pm: Larry Brooks is reporting that Stepan has officially signed with the Rangers.  The deal is an entry-level deal for three years, at $875,000 base salary.  Bonuses are currently undisclosed.  Stepan's cap hit will be higher than his base salary depending on the bonuses received.  Also, since this is an entry level deal, this is a two-way contract, meaning Stepan's salary decreases if he plays in the AHL.

I know this is pretty early for thinking about possible draft selections but the draft is only a little over three weeks away. Plus, this draft can be another important step in the right direction for this organization as they can continue to build on recent drafting success.

It is quite obvious that the current team is lacking in offensive prowess. Secondary scoring has been a problem for the team since the lockout. At the team's position with the 10th overall pick, they can acquire a top-notch offensive prospect. Of course, they can also go the defensive route and draft a big, tough d-man that we have been craving for (Derek Forbort comes to mind). However, that need can be addressed later in the draft with size at the blueline a common occurrence in this year's draft.

After reading several mock drafts from various websites and sources, the same names are brought up when it comes to our Blueshirts picking at 10. Vladimir Tarasenko, Ryan Johansen, Emerson Etem, Jeff Skinner, and Nino Niederreiter.

It seems like the general consensus on this website and amongst Ranger fans in general is Nino. However, it seems increasingly unlikely that he will be available come the Rangers' 10th pick. So the question I ask is if Nino is off the board, who would you take?