July 1st is here. What will the Rangers do?

Trades are possible. Though a few of the players linked to the Rangers (Versteeg etc) are out of the equation, if 14 teams have really approached Chicago for Andrew Ladd that makes a 50% the Rangers are involved! Price allowing, Ladd would be a good addition to the club in terms of both size and offense.

Don’t rule out a swoop for Sheldon Souray. For the record I’d be willing to take on the additional cap hit if Roszival goes the other way. I’d also be willing to throw in a pick to make it happen. With equal contract length remaining and with Souray’s health apparently not an issue his shot and physicality would be a welcome addition. With the historical trade link with Edmonton it’s a realistic scenario and Souray would be a big upgrade.

Then there’s free agency. Matt Lombardi? Sure, at the right price. Biron or Hedberg as back up? Yes please to either. With Auld more than likely not coming back a new face is expected. The preference should be a cheap(er) veteran which allows Johnson a full year of starting games in Hartford. An ideal scenario would see Johnson play 60 games and be ready in 12 months time.

If he makes free agency (and talks have broken down at present) an underrated addition – and return to NY – could be Manny Malhotra. Over hyped and too highly drafted in his time in NY the SJ center has turned into a nice 2 way center for the 3rd line and depth is never a bad thing.

Alot of twitter feeds are still linking the Rangers to guys like Volchenkov. Personally I prefer going the trade route and sending cap the other way (see the Souray theory) or I hope they go smart and bring in a guy like Michalek (with the standard caveat of price allowing). In an ideal world the Rangers will not make headlines today. The only headline that would please every Rangers fan would be a new deal for Marc Staal. 

How active will the Rangers will be? Needs are there for sure; hopefully prospect camp will have shown the Rangers where any free agents are genuinely needed and after Grachev’s ( 4 goal) show yesterday maybe the Rangers don’t add too much to the offense…

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