Even without Mika Zibanejad’s slump or Filip Chytil’s injury, the Rangers had some center depth concerns. This was a team that couldn’t handle both a slump and an injury, and managed to get both at the same time. That’s hockey. True competing teams have the depth to overcome these issues. Remember when Derick Brassard was the 3C? That’s the kind of depth that wins. To get there, the Rangers need to trade from positions of strength.
It’s ok that the Rangers don’t have that depth yet. Too many things had to go right for the Rangers to compete in the East Division this season anyway. With Zibanejad’s slump and Tony DeAngelo’s meltdown, two of those things the Rangers needed went up in smoke. Again that’s fine. The Rangers will need to address this via the trade market, as there aren’t any viable centers in the system that are remotely close to NHL ready.
Addressing the center need will either come from free agency or via trade. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is the sexy name hitting free agency, but he will command a big contract and will be 28 years old. He doesn’t necessarily fit the mold of the rebuild. The Rangers would likely want to target a Pierre-Luc Dubois type player. A young, impactful center that is cost controlled. The trade cost won’t be cheap. but the Rangers do have multiple areas in the system that are a big strength to deal from.
Wingers
At the NHL level, the Rangers are committed to Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin long term. They likely aren’t trading Alexis Lafreniere or Kaapo Kakko either. Pavel Buchnevich is excellent, but also getting to be a little pricey. Vitali Kravtsov is having an excellent season in the KHL. Morgan Barron is also starting at wing in the AHL. Lauri Pajuniemi is still scoring at will in Finland.
The Blueshirts also seem to value Barron highly, which might leave Pajuniemi on the outside looking in. There just aren’t enough roster spots when you factor in Brendan Lemieux, Colin Blackwell, and Julien Gauthier. Something has to give.
While the Rangers don’t necessarily need to make this decision now, it would be relatively useless to have some of these skilled prospects on the fourth line. It would hinder their growth and trade value. This becomes a case of Asset Management 101: Sell high, especially when you can’t possibly keep everyone.
Also a side note: Not all prospects make it.
Defense
At the NHL level the Rangers are committed to Jacob Trouba, Adam Fox, and K’Andre Miller. Ryan Lindgren is up there as well. They certainly don’t have a strong third pairing at the moment, but the prospect system is absolutely loaded.
Nils Lundkvist is the big name that is the closest to NHL ready. Tarmo Reunanen and Yegor Rykov are getting close, but aren’t in that top tier of prospects. Again that’s fine, they could become cheaper role players.
A little further away are some more very high ceiling prospects. Matthew Robertson, whom the Rangers already signed to his ELC, is looking like a great pick. Zac Jones is rocketing up the prospect depth charts and may be the best offensive defenseman in the system. Braden Schneider is high ceiling and getting a quick cuppa in the AHL.
Defense is a major position of strength for the Rangers, and they can only dress six defensemen. It’s not actually possible to keep all these kids. This is a major position of strength with some pretty high value too. In a deal for a young center, you have to give to get, and this is certainly an area to give from.
Goalies
Alex Georgiev. Goalie value is voodoo, enter at your own risk.
I would be extremely surprised if the Rangers make a move this season. However all bets are off this summer. The Rangers will have at least $30 million in cap space with just Lindgren, Buchnevich, and Igor Shesterkin to re-sign. You never know who becomes available. This summer is when the Rangers will make their move.
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