As rumors surface about the Rangers accelerating the retool with a big splash, we are reminded that no matter how much we discuss with our friends, family, and on social media and websites like this, we have no idea what’s going on in Chris Drury’s mind. All we know is the Rangers want a quick turnaround, which likely means a big splash move or two. What we don’t know is how realistic it is or if anyone is actually willing to deal the way Drury hopes.
On the Rangers accelerating the retool
1. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Rangers accelerating the retool is on the table. It’s been known for a while that the Blueshirts want a quick turnaround. But wanting something and doing something are two completely different things. It takes two to tango, so no matter how many trade rumors or trade targets we talk about, a player needs to be available and a team needs to be willing to deal. The Rangers accelerating the rebuild requires multiple trade partners and many big swings.
Two things stand out: 1) The NHL lacks creativity and a willingness to make big splashes, and 2) The Rangers may not have the pieces needed to make a big splash trade, and there’s only one big name in free agency that meets the Rangers’ needs.
2. While we can lament the NHL’s lack of creativity in these situations, I think it’s a moot point for the Rangers. They have two big pieces they are willing to deal in Vincent Trocheck and Braden Schneider, but that appears to be it. It’s a safe assumption they will deal from a strength in bottom six wingers, but those are more sweeteners in big splashes or just a way to recoup some drat picks.
The Rangers accelerating the retool is certainly possible, but without quality UFAs or the pieces required for a big splash, it may not be that realistic.
3. It’s worth noting that while the Rangers accelerating the retool is the goal, Drury has shown patience already. He did not move Vincent Trocheck at the deadline, believing he will get better offers over the summer. As the UFA center market dries up, he may have been right.
Without moving Alexis Lafreniere or without a trade request from Adam Fox, both equally unlikely at this point, it’ll be extremely difficult for the Rangers to speed things up.
How can the Rangers accelerate the retool?
4. While the Rangers accelerating the retool is a challenge, it’s certainly possible. Alex Tuch fits a lot of needs for the Rangers as a dynamic goal scorer and a strong skater. His contract demands will be big and the Rangers have the cap to make it work. The New York native–Syracuse is closer to Buffalo than the city, is not guaranteed to even hit free agency, but Buffalo has some cap to clear if they want to keep him.
It’s far more likely Buffalo trades someone like Bowen Byram or Connor Timmins to free up cap space.
5. Darren Raddysh seems to be a popular pick for the Rangers, but with Adam Fox and possibly Scott Morrow already filling that role at right defense, this seems more like a luxury than a need.
6. Instead, the best path for the Rangers accelerating the retool is with the trades of Trocheck and Schneider. We know the asking price for Trocheck is at least a young NHL piece and either another good prospect or a first round pick. Given the market and Trocheck’s very team friendly contract, there may be an actual bidding war for his services.
Schneider seems to be a wild card. San Jose should be all over this, and it behooves them to trade down from second overall in exchange for the fifth overall, Schneider, and a sweetener like Brett Berard. However trades in the top five are exceptionally rare.
7. The Rangers have two luxuries right now: Bottom six forwards and right defensemen. The Rangers accelerating the retool requires teams perhaps overvaluing someone like Berard or Adam Edstrom, giving the Rangers enough leverage to make an impactful trade. It doesn’t seem likely.
8. What’s worse: The Rangers accelerating the rebuild, or the Rangers running it back with the same lineup?
I’d rather the Rangers try something instead of running it back and hoping.
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