I just came from a two hour lunch with Adam Graves, which was with no doubt, a defining moment in my life. This man lights up a room. He is intelligent, kind, and the most humble person I've ever met. These simple two hours with him have absolutely changed my life.
Adam started by talking about his earlier day, back in 94', old teammates, etc. But eventually gave us the floor and said "Play GM". Lucky for myself, most of the other fans (9 others) were just casuals, one of which just finding out we have acquired Gaborik. So needless to say, I took the floor with most of the conversing and the questions. I picked his mind for as much as I possibly could, and as you know he is extremely high with in the organization and within Sather's circle of advisors.
To answer some questions off the bat
He thinks that without a shadow of doubt Michael Del Zotto will be penciled in next season. *Edit, He also says that he feels MDZ runs a power play with skill he hasn't seen since Zubov. In his exact words "This guy can run our power play from an armchair he's so fluid."
He feels that Derek Stepan will be our first line center in a few years, and at absolute worst a top-6 center, and said with utmost confidence that he was the best prospect at our development camp.
He doesn't feel that Michael Del Zotto is a better player than Sanguinetti, he just feels Sanguinetti is taking more time to develop.
He is extremely impressed by Grachev, and thinks he is knocking on the door of this team, and knocking hard.
He said it is highly unlikely we trade away any of our defensive prospects, Glen has stated he wants to build this team from Henrik out. He wants to fill in our forwards with our prospects, young guns, and free agents, while growing our D-men at home.
No one truly knows what is going to happen with Zherdev, he doesn't feel the arbitrator is going to award anything over $3.6, which he feels is tough to walk away from for a quality player like Zherdev. He doesn't feel like Zherdev has a motivation issue, he feels like if Zherdev returned with us next season, he's going to pot 80 points. I pointed out to him that with Zherdev returning, we have a logjam at RW, and he feels Zherdev could be converted to LW. What he hinted on happening is he feels Callahan will play with Gaborik, but on the LW.
He thinks that Pavel Valtenko is a stud, and that most fans have thought of him as a throw in.
He thinks that McDreamy has put our d-prospects into the range of ridiculous.
On Redden, he feels, like I do, that Redden was a force under Tortorella. He says he personally knows that Redden is in fantastic physical condition, and that he thinks he will shine under Torts next season.
On Rozsival, he feels that if he doesn't use his shot next season, he's going to see the bench.
On Higgins, he feels he's going to pot 25-30
On Gaborik, this was extremely interesting. The thing that Adam was most excited about with Gabs was his conditioning. He feels that Gaboriks injuries have a huge huge upside as well. Gaborik is coming into his prime with no mileage on his body (from the lack of games). He's going to come into the best years of his career, and he's going to stay in them for a long, long time. He says our medical squad has looked at him, and his condition is fantastic, he's in amazing shape, and his surgery was a great success. He says that Gaborik was the vital piece this team was missing last year, and will be a force whether or not we get him a true #1 center.
On #1 Center, he feels that Gaborik will work really well with Dubinsky. He feels Dubi is ready for his major breakout season, and who better to do it with than Marian? But even after saying this, he said the prospect is there that it won't work. And asked me who I thought the Rangers should trade for and who would fit well with this team. I told him I feel Patrice Bergeron would be a fantastic target because of his Cap hit, speed, playmaking ability, and availability. Boston is in cap hell next season, and moving Bergeron gives them enough room to squeeze by. Graves said he felt that was an excellent suggestion, and an option he would not be surprised with the organization going with. He said that the organization has the ability to pull the trigger on some number one's as we speak, but knows it's not the time. They want to see what Dubinsky can do first. He didn't seem shocked that I brought up Bergeron though, like he was waiting for me to say it, like he had heard it 1000 times before. He left me with the impression that Bergeron was definitely on our radar.
On Aaron Voros, he had a conversation with Torts and told me that he feels Voros is going to get another really hard look. He thinks that he could fill a good 3rd or 4th line role on this team.
*Edit, On Marc Staal, he feels Staal is going to take a huge offensive step next season. He said all the tools are there, he has a powerhouse of a shot, and is a fluid passer, he just needs to have the opportunity to do it.
*Edit, On Byers, he feels he is a lock for next season, and is a fantastic hitter that will play well under Torts.
This was a humbling experience, one that I still am speechless from, and I would be honored to bring his word to your ears with any questions you may have, I know I've definitely forgotten plenty.
On Rozsival, he feels that if he doesn't use his shot next season, he's going to see the bench.
This was the point that surprised me the most. I don't think if Rozsival having a great shot and generally provides more of an "all around" presence in whatever role or situation he's needed.
This was the point that surprised me the most. I don't think if Rozsival having a great shot and generally provides more of an "all around" presence in whatever role or situation he's needed.
It kind of shocked me too. The organization is just expecting him to play a role he hasn't been playing, and he said, everyone knows he has a rocket, and everyone tells him to use it. He thinks he'll be forced to use it under Torts, and it'll be a main reason he's on the ice.
You lucky *******. I'd kill for that. He's such a nice guy.
Total understatement. He told me to apply for an internship at MSG because he thinks I'm bright, well read, and insightful. He even told me he could see himself working with me in the future. He put a smile on my face that will never fade.
Congrats, that must have been a blast. Gravey is my all-time favorite Ranger.
EDIT: After reading this it seems Gravey has the Blueshirt colored glasses on, either that or he drank the kool-aid. This is to be expected though, good read.
All the information you gave us put a smile on my face . I'm glad to hear that the organization hasn't given up on Zherdev yet fully, love hearing the good news on Gaborik and Dubi and how great our prospects are.
He said that Dubi will most definitely be a Ranger next season, and also stated that some people in the organization are getting afraid we may have to match an offer sheet if he isn't signed soon. There aren't any arguments from either side, he said it should be done sooner rather than later for fear of the above.
On Heatley, he said that he would be dynamic on this team, but isn't sure he could fit because of the cap hit. He really truthfully feels that Dubinsky is more valuable than Heatley. He made it known that Murray wanted Dubinsky and that killed everything. Whether we are still pursuing him or not, he wouldn't say. He gave us a lot of information and hinted at a lot of things, but it seemed like we may still be talking to Ottawa about him. But from what he stated on other matters, I'm not sure who we'd move outside of Redden and Rozsival. He made it very clear that we are not flipping any of our D prospects.
Thanks for posting this. There was some nice insight. I had heard rumors about the Rangers really believing in Stepan as a number 1 center and this confirms it. What a steal that would be if it turns out to be the case.
So it sounds like Z isn't out of the picture? Can we afford him?
I'm very glad to see that Gravey has alot of confidence in our young guys and thinks that they will end up becoming great players.
Yeah Graves does a lot of work with our kids, he said he basically runs the camp with Torts and a few others.
He also said, that these kids will be the best conditioned players in the league. He said that the skating that they did at the development camp was extremely intense. He has never seen anyone do so much drilling and heavy skating drills.
Did Graves have anything to say about Torts as a coach? I was curious about his opinion on him.
And also since it sounds like MDZ will be in the club next season, did graves mentioned what will be done with the last spot? Or the last two spots if MDZ doesn't make it again?
Awesome Awesome stuff. Congrats on attending such an "defining moment". Finally, I can say confidently that the future looks bright for NYR. And not because Graves was overly optimistic about each and every player. But because the Rangers finally have excellent depth:
Franchise goalie: Lundqvist
Top defensive D-man: Staal
Two(three or four) solid offensive d-man prospects: Del Zotto, Sanguinetti, Gilroy, McDonagh
Franchise forward: Gaborik
Excellent character guys: Drury, Dubinsky, Callahan
Many projected top six: Anisimov, Grachev, Stepan
Yeah Graves does a lot of work with our kids, he said he basically runs the camp with Torts and a few others.
He also said, that these kids will be the best conditioned players in the league. He said that the skating that they did at the development camp was extremely intense. He has never seen anyone do so much drilling and heavy skating drills.
Wow, good job by Torts. I can't wait to see the condition the team will be in at the start of the season. If he whipped the prospects into shape, I can't imagine how good of shape the team will be in.
. I'm glad to hear that the organization hasn't given up on Zherdev yet fully, love hearing the good news on Gaborik and Dubi and how great our prospects are.
