With a disappointing loss, the Rangers now have to face the offseason. The New York Ranger core is aging and now is time to re-evaluate the team.
Needs: In my mind, the Rangers need two new important, not depth, players; a 1st/2nd line defenseman, and a first line center.
The Rangers clearly struggled defensively this year. They were ranked 19th on the penalty kill at 79.8 percent, and at times looked discombobulated defensively. Because of that, they brought in Brendan Smith, who played well during the final stretch of the season and brought a new physical look to the blue line. I think that the Rangers need to acquire either Winnipeg’s Jacob Trouba or Carolina’s Justin Faulk.
At the NHL trade deadline, the Rangers were the front-runner to acquire New York native defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk. The Rangers did not trade for him because St. Louis knew that if Shattenkirk moved to NY, he would most likely sign an extension. The Capitals traded forwards Zach Sanford and Brad Malone, a 2017 first round pick, and some conditional draft picks as well. Besides Kevin Shattenkirk, the Blues also gave up AHL goalie Pheonix Copley. If the Rangers were to trade for Shattenkirk, they probably would have to give up a first round pick, plus a good roster player, which I think would have been Pavel Buchnevich, who has a serious upside.
Kevin Shattenkirk, would help the powerplay but he would most likely want a 5-7 year deal with 5-6.5 million dollars per season. Is that really worth it? Last year, he turned down a 42 million dollar seven-year deal from Tampa Bay. That’s six million dollars per year. Would Shattenkirk take such a big discount to live in NY? Doubtful.
Jacob Trouba: 23 years old, right-handed defenseman, 6’2, and 201 pounds. Seems good on paper, right? Jacob Trouba, the 2012 9th overall pick signed a bridge deal with the Jets, two years, six million dollars. He is young, has great potential, and has put up good numbers with the Jets. I think he would improve with the Rangers.
I think the Rangers really should pursue Justin Faulk, he’s also a right-handed shot and is great on the power play. He carries a five million dollar cap hit but I think this would be worth it. On a relatively shallow draft year, the Rangers have a first round pick. I would trade the pick and maybe a couple more to get him. The Hurricanes are trying to rebuild so I think that they would want picks. In order to acquire either of these players, the Rangers are going to have to give up someone off of the current roster.
Sean Day and Neal Pionk: The Rangers have two quality young defensive prospects, most comparable to Brady Skeji.
Neal Pionk has a killer shot and Sean Day is a great skater.
I think the Rangers need a center who can win faceoffs, and take the load off Derek Stepan who struggled last season. Matt Duchene would fill that void. Matt Duchene had a 62.6 faceoff percentage last season and is number one center. In 572 games with the Avalanche, he has 174 goals and 418 points in 572 NHL games. He carries a six million dollar cap hit and the Rangers would have to trade a decent amount to get him. Either way, the Rangers need a center this offseason.
Rangers Players: Hypothetical Trades and (not in-depth) Evaluations
Henrik Lundqvist- The Rangers star goalie is aging, there is no doubt about that, but I have no concern that Hank can carry the team when he needs to. I highly doubt the Rangers will move him this offseason.
Ryan McDonagh: He is the Rangers captain and number one defenseman. The only way I see him leaving the team is if the Rangers already acquired a number one or two defenseman, and they’re getting a bona fide number one center.
Jimmy Vesey: The Rangers signed the Harvard hot-shot last season, he is still young and will continue to improve. I do not believe that the Rangers would trade him.
Mats Zuccarello: I can see Mats Zuccarello being traded for a center of defenseman. It would be difficult to see him leave but if the return is good it would be worth it. The Rangers are deeper in the right-wing position compared to center and defense. In the event that McDonagh is moved, I can see Zucc being named a captain.
Rick Nash: He cannot leave simply because of his cap hit. No team can take that on except for Vegas. I would not mind Nash going to Vegas because the Rangers would have cap space. However, Vegas has no assets so the Rangers could not get a sizable return. Not worth it.
Chris Kreider: Chris Kreider could be traded because of his inconsistency. I would hate to see him leave because of his size, speed, and grit. Minnesota might want to improve their offense after losing in the Playoffs. The Rangers might be interested in sending him to Minnesota for a defenseman like Marco Scandella or even Matt Dumba.
Derek Stepan: He struggled this season. I don’t think he would leave but I can see him be part of a package for another center, or to his homeland Minnesota for yes, a defenseman.
Michael Grabner: The only way he would leave the team is if Vegas picks him up. The Rangers will probably give Vegas a pick to ensure that they will not take Rangers players in the expansion draft.
Antti Raanta: The only way he will leave is if Vegas takes him in the Expansion draft.
Dan Girardi: I cannot see him get traded because I don’t think anyone would want him. He played well in the playoffs, will the Rangers buy him out, I’m not sure. His annual buy-out cost would be 1,111,111 over the next six years. [Source: https://www.capfriendly.com/buyout_calculator/dan-girardi%5D
Mika Zibanejad: The Rangers cannot trade him because they just acquired him, has a relatively low cap hit, is great on faceoffs and valuable to this team.
J.T. Miller: He played really well last season and is still young. I don’t think he will be traded. However, if he is it will be for another center.
Marc Staal: I think he has some trade value. Maybe a team like Edmonton would want him for veteran experience and a solid defenseman. He may be on the team next year, but I don’t think that he will be bought out.
Brady Skjei: UNTOUCHABLE, enough said.
Kevin Hayes: He might be traded in a package, I think that he will be on the team next year.
Pavel Buchnevich: He has incredible potential, he will not be traded.
Kevin Klein: Maybe the Rangers could incentivize Vegas to take him. He has no trade value. Will he be bought out over Girardi?
Jesper Fast: He cannot be traded, he does everything so well and is a cheap roster player.
Nick Holden: I think he will stick around until next season.
Oscar Linberg: Another Swedish cheap roster player who players fantastic. The Rangers should keep him.
Brenden Smith: It is a NY Ranger priority to resign him because he is a great puck mover and a physical player.
Tanner Glass: Played well in the playoffs, he will either retire or be in Hartford next season.
Brandon Pirri: Hartford or traded for a 5-7 round pick.
Adam Clendening: Hartford or traded for a 5-7 round pick.
The Rangers are out of the playoffs, and inevitably, there is an offseason. I think free agency and draft day will be tempting for the Rangers, but the Rangers crew has to keep their eyes set on a defenseman and a good center. Unfortunately, probably not Duchene.
If you disagree with any of my opinions, please let me know your thoughts! I will continue to write over the summer and offseason.
It’s going to be a long and hopefully eventful offseason!
Let’s Go Rangers!
