New York Rangers: Adding a bottom six forward fixes nothing
While there is no such thing as too much depth, the New York Rangers cannot expect an additional bottom six forward to fix anything.
The New York Rangers need another center. You will not convince me otherwise, as the moment the Rangers dealt Derek Stepan to the Arizona Coyotes, I began to worry. It’s not just about Stepan, though he was a fantastic player. It’s more about the vacancy created by his absence.
The lack of a top six capable center in addition to Mika Zibanejad and Kevin Hayes means that if Zibanejad or Hayes struggles, the Rangers have no replacement. Even worse, if Zibanejad or Hayes gets hurt, New York lacks the player to take his position.
Stepan played top line center, allowing Zibanejad and Hayes to develop in more fitting roles. Now he’s gone, and all of the pressure is on the pair of players out of their normal positions.
Many have pointed to adding a bottom six forward such as Daniel Winnik as a way to ease the load on Zibanejad and Hayes. However, in reality, New York’s need is a top six forward. Let’s look further.
In it to Winnik:
Daniel Winnik would be a fanrastic addition for the New York Rangers. He’s solid at suppressing shots, and can play enough of an offensive game to not look lost. At the very least, he fetches whichever team signs him a draft pick at the Trade Deadline.
Should the Rangers sign Winnik, the most logical approach would be to make him the third line center, David Desharnais the fourth line center, and Zibanejad and Hayes the top two centers.
The group does not look poor at all, and the move allows J.T. Miller to continue to play his typical wing spot, while Lias Andersson gets to develop further in the Swedish league or the AHL.
However, Daniel Winnik cannot play in the top six. David Desharnais cannot play in the top six. The Rangers cannot simply plug J.T. Miller into the top six without giving him time to develop into the spot.
So, if the Rangers rely on Winnik in addition to their current crop of centers, they are taking a major bet on Zibanejad and Hayes staying healthy.
Related Story: Analyzing Jeff Gorton's waiting game for a center
Injury fears
Every time I write about the center concerns, I come back to the same point. What if there’s an injury? As I said, Winnik and Desharnais cannot play in the top six. Miller cannot move into the top six on a whim, and asking Andersson to play in the top six straight out of being drafted is too much.
New York needs the depth to avoid playing a player wildly out of position, and placing even more pressure on whichever of Zibanejad or Hayes managed to stay healthy.
Next: Rangers' prospect rankings
Adding a Daniel Winnik type of forward would be fantastic. Winnik would provide much needed depth, but that can’t be it. Make no doubt about it, the Rangers need a top six forward. If they do not acquire a top six forward, adding a player like Winnik will not make a big enough difference.