New York Rangers: The Trade Window is Closed For Now

New York Rangers GM Jeff Gorton will rebuild, rather than retool

According to Larry Brook’s report, Dan Girardi won’t be bought out or traded, and pretty much everybody else on the Rangers roster is available. The only positive I can take out of Brooks’ article is that the New York Rangers are expected to be all in on upcoming college free agent Jimmy Vesey.

The Problem with Girardi and Staal

Girardi is clearly the Rangers biggest problem, as he is at best a 3rd pairing defensemen on stabilized NHL team. There was nothing reported on Marc Staal, but I’m going to assume he is on the same boat as Girardi. Girardi has a no movement close that becomes limited in July of next year, and it’s rumored that Staal is in the same position.

Staal is not even on the same level of gassed as Girardi, as I think he has some more good hockey ahead of him. But certainly not Girardi, even if when healthy he restrains the team from playing the best hockey that they possibly can.

But if the goal was to improve managing the puck and upgrading the blue line, keeping Staal and Girardi fails miserably.

So be prepared for at best first round exit level hockey from the New York Rangers next year, by keeping Staal and Girardi.

Other Questionable Players

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Brooks’ further claims that the Rangers will likely not trade for Kevin Shattenkirk and will not likely resign their best defensemen Keith Yandle. In addition, Brooks specifically mentioned names of Ryan McDonagh, Derek Stepan, Derick Brassard, Kevin Hayes, Rick Nash and Chris Kreider.

The fact that McDonagh, who has one of the most favorable contracts in the Rangers organization is legitimately in play, is absolutely ludicrous. Unless a lopsided offer comes around for McDonagh that the Rangers can’t refuse, there is no reason to trade him. Trading McDonagh over Staal and Girardi will not only close the Stanley Cup window, but they’d probably miss the playoffs as well.

If Brooks’ report is dead on, then get ready to say good bye to an era of playoff hockey and another cup-less year for Henrik Lundqvist. It’s possible that both Staal and Girardi get traded when their no movement clauses become limited no trade clauses, as this may be the best case scenario for the salary cap. But it will cost the Rangers one year of contention and potentially more if the right moves don’t to replace Staal and Girardi.

Next: New York Rangers Have Few Untouchables This Off-Season

For now, on the bright side the New York Rangers have a first round pick for next year and the best scenario for the Rangers is to tank the season and finish as a lottery team, but they probably won’t be bad enough to be a lottery team next year.  Unless something drastically changes, the Rangers are in for a long season next year. The Rangers are going to make changes, but it won’t be the right ones to improve the team next year. Jeff Gorton needs to realize the Rangers won’t be a contender next year if he deems keeping Girardi on the roster is the way to go. It’s time to start thinking about the future, the window is closed for now.