Replacing Derek Stepan

Probably not coming to New York.

In case you missed it, and if you did, I’d like to know how you managed to isolate yourself from the world for this long, the Rangers traded Derek Stepan with Antti Raanta to Arizona for the 7th overall pick (Lias Andersson) and defense prospect Anthony DeAngelo. The Rangers freed up around $6.8 million in the trade and acquired a potential stud RHD, but opened up a huge hole in their top-two centers.

The prevailing logic is that Mika Zibanejad will be able to take Stepan’s minutes, and it’s a reasonable expectation. Zibanejad certainly has the skill, but Stepan handled some very difficult minutes against top competition. Zibanejad wasn’t exactly given cupcake minutes, but they weren’t at the level of Stepan. Regardless, penciling Zibanejad in as the 1C is a solid bet, and there’s good reason to believe he can handle it.

However beyond that, there now is a giant hole at 2C. Kevin Hayes has faltered significantly in more difficult assignments. Despite his offensive skill, Hayes appears to need to be sheltered in primarily offensive zone starts. He struggled over the past two years as his defensive zone deployment increased.

The popular target to replace Stepan’s minutes is Joe Thornton. Despite his age, Thornton is still a great top-six center capable of driving offense, possession, and the power play. However there is no indication that he will leave San Jose. Plus there is some concern following ACL surgery, but that is mitigated a bit by the news that his rehab is ahead of schedule. Aside from the age/injury, the other risk is the contract. As a 35+ contract, any multi-year deal comes with a tremendous amount of risk.

Patrick Marleau could also be on the radar, but comes with some of the same warning signs as Thornton, without the knee injury. He too can still produce 2C numbers, though. Either one would do fine in New York in the short term.

Aside from Thornton and Marleau, there really are no other 2C free agents. Mike Fisher? Patrick Sharp? Martin Hanzal? Hard pass on all of them. I am certainly intrigued by Sam Gagner as a potential 4C, the same way he was deployed in Columbus, but he is going to get monstrously overpaid after his absurd season. Remember, he only played 13 minutes a game primarily on the power play.

If they swing and miss on Thornton and Marleau, then the only viable option is the trade market. Maybe Alex Galchenyuk can be had in a sweetheart deal. After all, the Habs are prone to terrible deals. Chicago is in an awful cap position, so maybe they can pry Artem Anisimov away on the cheap.

Replacing Stepan is not going to be easy for a team that, at one point had Stanley Cup aspirations for next season. Unless they fill that hole in their top-six –and on the blue line, but we’ve beaten that to death– they won’t go anywhere. Tough spot for Jeff Gorton, but it’s a position he put himself in.

Note: I’m aware the comments have been an absolute tire fire when it comes to Stepan. Let’s keep the lunacy to a minimum please, and discuss how the Rangers will get another top-six center please. I’m really sick of the same arguments over “STEPAN SUCKS” and “NO HE DOESN’T.” Let’s bring some intelligent discussion to the table about replacing a top-six center on the team.