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New York Rangers Help Stay Young with Caggiula

By Michael Monti

Apr 9, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; North Dakota Fighting Hawks forward Drake Caggiula (9) reacts after scoring against the Quinnipiac Bobcats during the third period of the championship game of the 2016 Frozen Four college ice hockey tournament at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; North Dakota Fighting Hawks forward Drake Caggiula (9) reacts after scoring against the Quinnipiac Bobcats during the third period of the championship game of the 2016 Frozen Four college ice hockey tournament at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Rangers Have a Well Documented Problem

It’s no secret when it comes to the New York Rangers, they need to get younger. Yet, it is hard to get young when you don’t have the early draft picks. Contrary to what some people are saying, there is a simple solution for this.

A Viable Solution 

Look for undrafted college free agents.  Now, don’t think that because they weren’t drafted that they will not succeed in the NHL. J.T. Brown, Niklas Backstrom, Dan Girardi and Pascal Dupuis are just a few successful players who went undrafted.

A player the New York Rangers should go seek out is Drake Caggiula.

Acquiring Drake Caggiula

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Caggiula, 21, could be one of the best undrafted college free agents in this year’s class. He may not be the tallest at 5’10’’, but he is gritty, skilled, has a lot of hockey knowledge and gets up and down the ice with focus and drive, a focus and drive the New York Rangers might just need.

Casggiula had a great season in North Dakota, playing alongside NHL first round picks Brock Boeser and Nick Schmaltz; a line that controlled college hockey. The line helped lead the school to their first National Championship since 2000. In the 39 games he played this season, he had 25 goals and 26 assist.

What Drake Caggiula Brings to the Table

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

He has a good shot, can skate well, he reads the ice well and that might help him challenge for a spot right out of next year’s training camp in September. However, it helped that the line he was on while in college controlled the puck for many of his shifts.

The New York Rangers could use the offensive threat Casggiula could become. He displays great vision while showing off individual puck skill. Drake has shown that he can be useful as either a shooter or a passer.

Not only is his offense something to be happy about. The kid is smart defensively. He can contain the opposition by limiting their slot chances, an area the New York Rangers struggled with this season. He plays an all-around game, with the will to win, he also possesses the ability to make the players around him better.

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For the New York Rangers, staying young is key if they want to maintain their presence in the playoffs each year. Signing Caggiula could help improve the younger players on the team.

Three key players for the Rangers are due for a new contract, Kevin Hayes, J.T. Miller and Chris Kreider. After the disappointing sophomore season Hayes had, if the New York Rangers are to re-sign him, Caggiula could be the player to re-ignite his fire.

Without a doubt, there will be plenty of teams trying to sign Caggiula this summer. Whoever does is getting someone who can become a leader on and off the ice. If the New York Rangers are serious about getting younger, Caggiula is the guy they might want to look at.

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