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New York Rangers: Four Potential Trade Deadline Moves

By Andrew Chelney

January 21, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Minnesota Wild center Charlie Coyle (3) moves the puck against Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) during the first period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
January 21, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Minnesota Wild center Charlie Coyle (3) moves the puck against Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) during the first period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Rangers could be active come deadline day

The NHL trade deadline is Tuesday, February 29th at 3:00 EST. The New York Rangers, who have around $3.4 million in cap space, are currently 31-18-5 and re riding a 4 game winning streak heading into tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Kings, who lost last night to the New York Islanders 5-2. There’s been a lot of speculation as to who the Rangers will go after in the coming days. Here’s a list of four potential trades that the Rangers could pull the trigger on that are both realistic and cap-friendly:

Jan 23, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Vancouver Canucks right wing Radim Vrbata (17) carries the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Vancouver Canucks right wing Radim Vrbata (17) carries the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

1) Radim Vrbata; AAV: $5 million; expires: 2016

The 34 year old isn’t having a great season with the Vancouver Canucks, scoring just 11 goals and 22 points in 52 while being a -23 on the year. However, he scored 31 goals and added 32 helpers in 79 games last season. He’s scored at least 20 goals 5 times in his career, and if the Rangers could shed some salary, there’s a good possibility Vrbata can be the rental depth winger the Blueshirts desperately need.

Jan 26, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Columbus Blue Jackets forward Cam Atkinson (13) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Columbus Blue Jackets forward Cam Atkinson (13) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /

2) Cam Atkinson; AAV: $3.5 million; expires: 2018

Atkinson is on pace for a career year while already putting up 18 goals and 35 points in 55 games. The 26 year old is definitely a younger and better option over Vrbata, however his price tag would certainly be steeper. The Rangers are trade buddies with the Columbus Blue Jackets, however (think: Rick Nash and Marian Gaborik trades), so maybe a fair deal could be in store. Plus, former New York Rangers head coach John Tortorella is behind the bench for the Jackets, so here’s a possible chance for Torts to see more former players that he’s coached.

Jan 21, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars goalie Antti Niemi (31) and defenseman Alex Goligoski (33) defend against Edmonton Oilers center Matt Hendricks (23) during the first period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars goalie Antti Niemi (31) and defenseman Alex Goligoski (33) defend against Edmonton Oilers center Matt Hendricks (23) during the first period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

3) Alex Goligoski; AAV: $4.8 million; expires: 2016

The 30 year old defenseman has recorded at least 20 points in each full NHL season he’s played in, and he has a very attractive Corsi-For (55.1%). That means the Dallas Stars control the puck 55.1% of the time when he’s on the ice, which means they spend more time in the offensive zone with Goligoski being a factor. Good defenseman usually have a corsi-for that at least hovers around, but is usually above 50%. For comparison, Dan Girardi has an abysmal corsi-for of 42.4% this season, and Marc Staal is at 45.3%.

Jan 25, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild center Charlie Coyle (3) celebrates his goal with the team during the third period against the Arizona Coyotes at Xcel Energy Center. The Coyotes win 2-1 in an overtime shootout. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild center Charlie Coyle (3) celebrates his goal with the team during the third period against the Arizona Coyotes at Xcel Energy Center. The Coyotes win 2-1 in an overtime shootout. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports /

4) Charlie Coyle; AAV: $3.2 million; expires: 2020

Coyle is a 23 year old C/RW with a bunch of talent with a contract that won’t be a hinderance. It’s a question mark whether Minnesota would want to give him up, but the 6’3″ 218 pound player has 15 goals and 28 points in 54 games this season. Depth scoring has been an issue at certain points in the season for the Rangers, and a trade for Coyle would help alleviate that. Also, with Coyle only being 23 years old, and having a great contract for 5 more years, this isn’t just a rental trade. Coyle is definitely capable of holding his own and will continue to do that for years to come.

Next: Rangers host Pacific-leading Kings

At the end of the day, let’s just hope the Rangers don’t trade an important part of the future like Oscar Lindberg or J.T. Miller for a rental player that’ll leave for free agency in the summer. GM Jeff Gorton is smarter than that, but the fear is always at the back of everyone’s minds. The Rangers should be find as long as they’re smart.

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