New York Rangers: Possible Targets for Each Position

May 16, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers center Derek Stepan (21) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period in game one of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

While the Presidents’ Trophy winners made it far in the playoffs, they fell short of the ultimate goal. But it’s approaching that time of year again, and the draft is coming up followed by Free Agency.

Derek Stepan and Carl Hagelin‘s new contract numbers might make acquiring new faces difficult, but barring cap restrictions, this is a list of one player from each position the New York Rangers could realistically target in the offseason, ignoring possible AHL graduations that might potentially fill up a roster spot like Oscar Lindberg or Carl Klingberg.

Next: Center

Mar 13, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Mark Letestu (55) against the Edmonton Oilers at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 5-4 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Center: Mark Letestu (2014-2015 cap hit: $1.3m)

Letestu would be a solid addition to the Rangers’ 4th line, giving Dominic Moore some healthy competition in the faceoff circle. Letestu has won 52.9% of the faceoffs he’s taken in 2014-2015, while Moore won 54.5% this past regular season. He won’t score too many points (7 goals and 6 assists in 54 games), but for a team that has Stepan, Derick Brassard, Kevin Hayes, and Dominic Moore as their centermen, they don’t necessarily need more help down the middle.

But playing Letestu on the wing with Moore would be more beneficial than hurtful, especially when Moore gets kicked out of a faceoff. One natural center gets moved, and another one comes in to replace him. If anything, he’s the 13th forward that’ll step in when a regular is injured, and if a center is out of the lineup, Letestu will fill that role nicely.

Next: Right Wing

Feb 26, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets forward Jiri Tlusty (91) skates on the ice prior to the game against the St. Louis Blues at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

Left Wing: Jiri Tlusty (2014-2015 cap hit: $2.95m)

Tlusty was drafted 3 picks after Frolik by the Toronto Maple Leafs at 13th overall, but he hasn’t nearly lived up to the high expectations associated with the selection. His best season was 2012-2013, when he racked up 38 points in 48 games with the Carolina Hurricanes, but he hasn’t been able to repeat the limited success.

While only 27, he might take a pay cut to play for New York in order to show the NHL that he’s got what it takes to be a solid winger. He’d join Jets teammate Frolik on their new team and could possibly form a speedy but strong line with Kevin Hayes in the middle and Carl Hagelin on the right. With Hayes growing into a star player in front of everyone’s eyes, this could be Tlusty’s chance to take advantage and appear on the score sheet more often, boosting his confidence and possibly showing flashes of brilliance that made the Leafs draft him so high.

Next: Defenseman

Mar 28, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Matt Irwin (52) shoots the puck against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. The Sharks won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Defenseman: Matt Irwin (2014-2015 cap hit: $1.1m)

Irwin most likely won’t go that cheap once free agency begins, but if his price doesn’t increase by too much, having him on the roster wouldn’t be the worst of ideas. Problem is the Rangers are pretty set on the blue line, and with Dan Boyle remaining a blueshirt for one more year (unless he gets moved), it’ll be difficult for him to crack the lineup. Irwin had one less goal and 3 less assists than Boyle during this past regular season, but Boyle’s veteran presence and powerplay expertise outweighs Irwin’s immediate stat sheet similarities.

While signing Irwin is a stretch, re-signing Matt Hunwick is a definite. He’s probably the best 7th defenseman on he market by a longshot, so if the Rangers could maintain their defensive rotations for another year, Irwin isn’t needed and New York is fine on the blue line.

Next: Goaltender

Mar 14, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; New York Rangers goalie Mackenzie Skapski (70) during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Goaltender: Michael Leighton (2014-2015 cap hit: $550,000)

It was originally speculated that Talbot would be moved at the draft or during the summer months while his stock is high and Mackenzie Skapski would fill in as the new backup to Henrik Lundqvist. But things haven’t gone as planned, because Skapski had recently undergone hip surgery and is expected to miss 4-5 months, thereby missing the first month of the 2015-2016 regular season.

While Lundqvist could theoretically play all the October games without a problem, a backup would be preferable to step in for 1-2 games just to keep Hank fresh. Leighton is just the man for the job. He carried the Philadelphia Flyers to an unlikely Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2010, so he’s definitely qualified to relieve Lundqvist for a couple games while Skapski returns from recovery.

Who knows, Alain Vigneault might even elect to keep Skapski in the AHL for one more year so he could sharpen his game. If not, Leighton takes over the Wolf Pack and Skapski’s mentor is one of the best goaltenders in the NHL. Not bad.

Next: Is Jeff Gorton the next New York Rangers' GM?

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