Ryan Murphy is a much more realistic trade target than Dougie Hamilton given the cost

Ryan Murphy is a much more realistic trade target than Dougie Hamilton given the cost

– There’s a lot of consternation over Adam Clendening’s lack of playing time. Ideally, he’d be in the lineup in place of Kevin Klein, but generally we as fans make way too big a deal over the guy in the press box. Rarely does that roster decision make or break a team. The bigger issue on defense continues to be the distribution of minutes within the existing top six and the need to add a real difference maker.

– With many of the once available trade targets now re-signed, the one big name still on the horizon is Kevin Shattenkirk. Yes, Dougie Hamilton can also be had, but he’d cost the Rangers a player they won’t give up. If GM Jeff Gorton wasn’t willing to build a package worthwhile for the Jets or Ducks, then I don’t think he’s prepared to give up J.T. Miller, Kevin Hayes or Chris Kreider for Hamilton. And given the way this team has been winning on the back of its offense, that’s probably the right call.

– But as there have been for months and years, there remain loud whispers that Shattenkirk is eyeing New York. It’s hard to see a path to his services during this campaign, but there’s light at the end of the tunnel come July.

– In the meantime, a swap for 23-year-old D-man Ryan Murphy makes a whole lot more sense right now. Would Oscar Lindberg plus another small piece get it done? Then again, a Murphy for Evander Kane deal seems like a no-brainer move for both Buffalo and Carolina.

– While the Blueshirts have built their new identity around a specific breed of player, the last few games against defensively sound teams were eye opening. Granted, key creators Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich were out of the lineup and could have made a difference, but there’s a case to be made New York is a little too one-dimensional. To be fair, until a few games ago the Rangers really hadn’t even needed that aspect of their attack because they’ve been so deadly in transition and on the power play.

– I was originally planning on making this a temperature read post weighing the Rangers’ early-season success against recent bumps in the road, but our friends at Blueshirt Banter did a better job than I would have. Go check it out.

– I wondered aloud last night on Twitter about where Rick Nash might end up as a 34-year-old UFA after next season. It’s extremely unlikely he’d be back with the Rangers given their cap situation and looming extensions. I think Tom Urtz nailed it with his theory that Nash could return home and be the perfect veteran addition for a rising Leafs squad. Mike Babcock has always loved Nash and he would be a perfect two-way example for a developing group of youngsters. Other good suggestions: Vegas, in search of starpower and willing to overpay and San Jose or wherever Nash’s buddy and Olympic linemate Joe Thornton ends up after his own free agency this summer.

– Steve Valiquette has been a tremendous addition to MSG’s coverage both on television and online. Valiquette has the rare credibility of being a former successful player with a deep understanding of the game and an ability to explain #fancystats in layman’s terms. His recent videos on blocking shots, stick positioning and deflections have all been outstanding.


Question time:
1) How many games do you think Matt Puempel will play with the Rangers this season?
2) Do you think Kevin Shattenkirk will end up with the Blueshirts? If so, what will be the terms of his contract?
3) What do you think the future holds for Nash?

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