Signing Michael Grabner, Nathan Gerbe and Adam Clendening were smart cost-effective signings, however after another disappointing playoff exit, it leaves many New York Rangers fans wondering what is the next step?
It may seem crazy but less than a month after the end of the NHL season, preparation for the 2016-2017 season is already in full swing. From the first day of July until mid-October, teams have make-or-break decisions to make. Usually, the transactions (or lack thereof) made in July make all the difference in the following June. With this in mind, there are certainly moves for the New York Rangers to still make.
First: The team needs to focus on their in-house free agents. J.T. Miller, Chris Kreider and Dominic Moore are the three that should be the heavy focus. These three leave Kevin Hayes and Dylan McIlrath as potential odd men out, but while both at times are fan favorites, they are too streaky of players to be seen as a main focus. Also in McIlrath’s case especially, the team has depth defensively with newly acquired defensemen Nick Holden and Adam Clendening vying for the sixth defenseman position. Miller and Kreider should receive a deal before their arbitration hearing.
Miller should probably look to get a deal in the same range as former teammate Eric Staal got from the Minnesota Wild, (3 years, $10 million). While Kreider will probably have to settle for a bridge contract. Kreider, who has an endless amount of talent, still needs to prove himself as a smarter more mature player before the Rangers can invest years and dollars into him.
While Dominic Moore has been the best defensive centerman for the team since Brian Boyle left two summers ago. Moore is the best face-off winner on the team and that is one aspect of the game where the Rangers have struggled, so it is important to bring him back. If, and it is not a big if, Moore is willing to sign another one-year, $1 million dollar deal then the Rangers must jump at that.
Second: The team needs to regain their role players. Losing backbone players like Anton Stralman, Brian Boyle, and Brad Richards, to name a few, has hurt the team more than anyone realized it would. The Rangers need to get some gritty players and also they need to improve on both their face-off percentages as well as their penalty kill.
Two players that could be had at a cheap price are Kyle Chipchura who has averaged above 50% on face-offs the past three seasons; and Brett Sutter. The Sutter’s have made a name for themselves in the NHL for the way that they play the game as role players and Brett Sutter could provide a boost at full-strength and on the penalty kill.
Personally, I think Brandon Prust could also be a great addition for basically nothing at this point, just like in the days of John Tortorella coaching the team with Prust causing mayhem on the ice. Even though his days might be numbered in the NHL, Prust is another potential role player that can be a huge addition to the team.
Finally: The team needs to create assurance as well as create some wiggle room. The fact is that Chris Kreider is most likely going to ask for more money than his stats or overall play will support. If his asking price becomes too high then they have to trade Kreider similar to how the Chicago Blackhawks had to trade Brandon Saad last offseason. Also, players like Dan Girardi, Marc Staal, Kevin Klein and Rick Nash should be given assurance that they are to be a part of the team moving forward.
Personally, I believe that at times both Staal and Girardi were left out to dry by their defensive partners (Dan Boyle and Keith Yandle respectively). Down years for aging defenseman are causes for concern, and if they still are struggling come mid-season then a potential trade should be revisited.
Signing both Michael Grabner and Nathan Gerbe were smart signings that will help on the areas that need improvement (penalty kill). Grabner is definitely embracing the motivating tweets from angry Islander fans.
There are no big/sexy names that will don the blue sweater with the diagonal red letters for the 2016-17 campaign. The big name players are already on the team. This does not mean that the offseason is a waste. Winning the offseason sweepstakes means nothing when games start. Making smart offseason moves that will improve the team overall means everything. Championships are impossible to win a month after the season ended.
Next: The New York Rangers Are Still Cup Contenders
The Rangers are not going to win the Stanley Cup in July or August. However, they definitely can lose it if Jeff Gorton does not continue making smart, economical moves.