Hockey, like most sports these days, is a business and at times, then a sport. The Rangers have a player in Matt Gilroy that needs to become a victim of asset management. What the Rangers have on their hands is a talented player (asset) who has value but whose value is fast fading. What makes trading Gilroy the sensible thing to do is that he is not a need in the organisation but is something (asset – there’s that word again) that can bring something of value back to the organisation. He cost nothing but cablevision dollars btu could bring back a valuable draft pick.

The former college standout is being wasted in New York. With Mike Del Zotto and to a lesser extent Marc Staal and Michal Roszival on the roster the need for offensive blue liners is not as great as it once was and while his defense has improved it will never be Gilroy’s calling card. As it is, the Rangers have a trio of solid defenseman in the minors learning their trade (Valentenko, Kundratek, McDonagh) and another in Mcilrath eventually on his way from junior. The Rangers should get something back for Gilroy while his exploits at the NCAA level are still fresh in other GM’s mind. They also need to be aware that should he continue to be scratched or receive little ice time he won’t be looking to re-sign in NY come the end of the season either.

The Rangers have done a good job of drafting in recent years and a talented kid with an expiring contract should be able to fetch a 2nd round pick (many teams need an offensive blue liner). At this stage it’s worth noting if Dominic Moore can get a 2nd pick in return so can Gilroy. Let’s not forget how well the Rangers have done with 2nd round picks either. Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov are tearing it up on the Rangers and Ethan Werek looks a keeper in junior, just to name a few. It’s in a situation like Gilroy’s  where asset management should come into play. It makes sense to trade Gilroy for the organisation’s long term benefit. He isn’t being deployed properly, is wasting cap space that could be crucial later in the year and if he continues to play (or not as the case may be) then his trade value will become weaker than the Greek economy. It hurts to lose, even give up on a talented prospect but in this case it’s worth the hurt. The Rangers need to do what’s best with a talent that isn’t being used efficiently.

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