Everyone assumes the Hawks will need to trade a player of significance this summer to ease their cap issues given the juicy contracts they’ve recently handed out (i.e. Toews, Keith and Kane). Rangers fans also know the Blueshirts need help in the forward ranks as our touted prospects are likely to still be a season or two away . Anyway onto the point of the post…

The Hawks have several players that intrigue me, that could all help the Rangers and who are probably available at varying costs.
Everyone would likely love to have Patrick Sharp on the team. 28, a great two way threat and when healthy can be easily pencilled in for 60 points. Add in a cap friendly deal with 2-3 years remaining and you’ve got a highly desirable player. The problem with all of this is, coupled with his strong playoff showing he may be expensive despite the Hawks obvious cap issues. With teams allowed to be up to 10% over the cap going up to camp next year Chicago would be in no rush to panic move any player.

More realistic targets may be a couple of young wingers in Chicago. Part of the contract gaffe last year was winger Kris Versteeg. Versteeg didn’t have a great season but did hit 20 goals for the 2nd year in a row, has upside and is 23. With a so-so playoffs and an inconsistent season Versteeg and his 3m ticket may be ripe for the taking. A proven 20 goal scorer with up side at 3m? The Rangers could do with a few more of those.

Then there’s the intriguing case of Andrew Ladd. Once a high pick for the Hurricanes, Ladd has never really fulfilled his sizeable talent despite showing improvement in Chicago. With an inconsistent regular season behind him (17 goals, 38 points) and a sub par playoffs with only 2 points in 11 games Ladd is there for the taking. With size and aggression and with offensive upside (career high of 49 points) Ladd can fill quite a few needs for the Rangers.

The Rangers do have some attractive parts they can use in deals. Sanguinetti, Sauer, Byers and draft picks are all assets the Rangers could use to acquire talent such as these young gifted players and that’s without considering moving current roster players. I would endorse any of these Hawks as additions. Realistically without giving up something significant Sharp isn’t coming to New York but I think the underachieving duo of Ladd and Versteeg could be had at a solid price.

What would it take to get them? I hope Sather’s atleast doing his due diligence on the Hawks and credit where its due, Sather has regularly been able to make the most out of trade talks…..

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