On the Rangers and Casey Cizikas, Blake Coleman – it doesn’t make sense

While there is nothing concrete or even rumored connecting the Rangers to Casey Cizikas, Blake Coleman, or other big name depth signings, there is always that fear that the Rangers will do something stupid. With the move toward grit and defined roles, that fear is compounded. Barclay Goodrow was overpaid, even if extremely useful, the draft was a minor shift in philosophy, and there is still no transparent plan that we can identify. It doesn’t mean there isn’t a plan, it just means we don’t know it yet, or it might be a bad plan. The fear has manifested itself as expecting the Rangers to sign one of Casey Cizikas or Blake Coleman, or one of the other more expensive depth guys in free agency.

Casey Cizikas / Blake Coleman

Let’s get one thing clear, Cizikas is going to get massively overpaid and whichever team winds up with him will regret it. Cizikas is rumored to want at least $5 million, which is absolutely crazy. Evolving-Hockey has him projected to get three years at $2.3 million, and none of their projections have him sniffing $5 million. He’s all defense, no offense, and is a net-negative impact offensively.

As for Coleman, well he’s at least good in all three zones and is a play driver. He was a key cog on that third line for Tampa. He’s the one projected to get 4-5 years at $5 million. His six year contract estimate is $5.1 million, for those wanting to compare it to Goodrow. That’s also an overpay, but Coleman is a good player.

It’s buyer beware this offseason with Cup winners and grit, and the Rangers already added there’s in Goodrow.

There’s no fit anymore

Given the Rangers signed Goodrow and protected Kevin Rooney, I just can’t see a fit with either Cizikas or Coleman. Nor do they have the cap space currently, especially if the goal is to add a big name center like Jack Eichel. Even if the Rangers shed salary in a Ryan Strome trade, none of the above two players really fit the need to replace him. The goal would be to have Eichel (or other big C) and Mika Zibanejad go 1-2 down the middle, potentially with Filip Chytil as the 3C. Or even without Eichel, it would be Mika-Chytil-Danault (feel free to swap). Cizikas doesn’t fit in anywhere with Rooney here.

As for Coleman, the Rangers have about 900 wingers. Spending $5 million on another isn’t the best use of money.

There are a few bargain options available. Pierre-Edouard Bellemare is a name that has made the rounds. He’s fantastic defensively and would cost less than $1 million. There are a bunch of players in this mold, all of which make more sense for the Rangers than both Blake Coleman and Casey Cizikas. The Rangers, at this point, would be best served looking to fill out their fourth line with cheap depth options.