New York Rangers’ bold predictions for 2017 off-season
The New York Rangers failed to win the Stanley Cup this past season, leading to plenty of speculation surrounding the upcoming off-season.
Last off-season, the Rangers surprised the hockey world by trading Derick Brassard for Mika Zibanejad and a 2nd round pick. What will be in store for New York this off-season? Though many believe one of Rick Nash or Derek Stepan will be on the move, there are bolder possibilities that could happen.
Here at Blue Line Station we like to think outside of the box. That means taking our usual predictions post and going bolder. We have some interesting ideas of what could happen this off-season for New York. Scroll through to find out the possibilities, and let us know which you think will happen!
Brandon Cohen- So Many Predictions
Alright, so this was originally supposed to be one prediction. I even assigned the round-table topic saying to stick to one idea! Yet I have many bold predictions I would like to share, and it would be a shame for me to only choose one of them.
I believe this off-season will include plenty of moves in Rangerstown. The action:
-Mika Zibanejad re-signs for at least six years, possibly even seven.
-The Rangers make multiple trades before the Expansion Draft, including one that ensures the Las Vegas Golden Knights select either Nick Holden or Kevin Klein.
-Antti Raanta is traded, though the Rangers do not actively try to trade him. They receive an offer they cannot refuse.
-New York acquires a top pair defenseman before Kevin Shattenkirk even officially hits free agency. They are then left with the choice of re-signing Brendan Smith, or signing Kevin Shattenkirk. I have no prediction for which they will choose. You decide!
-Scott Arniel is fired.
-Rick Nash is traded to the San Jose Sharks, then the Rangers eventually sign Joe Thornton.
John Williams- Nothing Substantial Changes
A lot of the bold predictions Brandon made were very positive ones for the Rangers. Well, it’s time to rain all over that parade…
My bold prediction is that, besides a few moves of minor significance, the Blueshirts won’t do anything too earth shattering this off-season.
Last off-season was supposed to be the “blow up the core” off-season and what did the team do? They went out and made one change to their top six, bringing in Mika Zibanejad for Derick Brassard. That’s it.
While I do think there is a good chance that Dan Girardi is bought out, which would be a change to the ‘core,’ and with the expansion draft there is bound to be some movement in the team’s bottom six and bottom pair of defense, but I don’t believe that head coach Alain Vigneault or his staff are going anywhere this off-season, and that’s a problem.
If that is the case, there is very little the Rangers can do to avoid a similar fate from what they’ve received the past two seasons–horrible misuse of personnel leading to disastrous results–which is the double meaning when I say that I don’t see any substantial changes taking place.
Dan Carrozzi- Rangers Acquire Jacob Trouba for Package Including Antti Raanta
My bold prediction is that the New York Rangers will trade Antti Raanta to the Winnipeg Jets for Jacob Trouba.
There has been a lot of speculation surrounding Raanta’s future in New York. As it stands, he has one year left on his contract and will be exposed in the upcoming expansion draft. He seems to be on the shortlist of desirable goaltenders to man the crease for the Vegas Golden Knights next season.
It would then behoove the Rangers to get some return on their investment instead of losing him for nothing. However, the Rangers will follow a different route than they did with Cam Talbot, and won’t flip Raanta for just draft picks.
The Rangers’ need for a top right defenseman is well known and the Jets seem like they could fit the bill.
Although the Jets seem to have their goaltender of the future in Conner Hellebuyck, his development hit a snag in his first season as a starter. Raanta will allow Hellebuyck to grow into his role while allowing the Jets to be competitive.
Therefore, the Rangers will trade Raanta, Ryan Graves and their 1st round pick this year to Winnipeg for Jacob Trouba.
Garrett Gartino- New Alternate Captains
The 2017 New York Rangers are a thing of the past. As I look forward to the offseason, the expansion draft, and the 2018 team I see plenty of changes being made. Next year’s team must have a new identity and a newfound passion for the ever-evolving NHL game.
That is why I believe both Chris Kreider and Brady Skjei will be donning an A on their sweaters on opening night.
Yes, this means that two of the team’s existing Alternate captains must leave the team in some capacity. But can anyone complain if and when two of the team’s youngest and most exciting players become visible team leaders?
It’s time for the next wave of New York Rangers hockey to begin. With 2017 in the rear-view mirror, the new New York Rangers must lead us into the new generation.
Tim Haggerty- Kevin Hayes Exposed in Expansion Draft
My bold prediction for this offseason is that Kevin Hayes will be exposed in this June’s Expansion draft.
Hayes has been a great addition for the Rangers since coming to the big leagues. However, he has a hard time fitting in a system that thrives on speed and transition. This was especially visible in the playoffs.
The Rangers offense is at its best when it’s fast. Michael Grabner was one of the key parts to that aspect.
Keeping Grabner would be difficult considering the other players that the Rangers will likely expose. Adding Hayes to the fold makes him the most attractive player from the Rangers. Think of Hayes as bait to let the Rangers keep the player best for them, Grabner. Not too mention, Hayes carries a significantly higher cap hit.
It would hurt to say goodbye to Hayes. But if we are thinking boldly, this is certainly a viable option for the Rangers at the Expansion Draft.
George Ruggiero- Chris Kreider Gets Traded
With the Rangers’ season-ending and a very important off-season starting, the hot takes are flowing right now. The media (including us here at Blue Line Station) have been writing articles about which players should be in blue sweaters next season. Of all the forwards and defensemen that we think should be on the block, one core player will not be on the Rangers next season: Chris Kreider.
Kreider had a solid regular season, putting up 28 goals and 23 assists for 53 points in 77 games. However, he was absolutely invisible in the playoffs. The only game that he seemed to show up for was Game 6 against Ottawa, but at that point, it was too little, too late.
While Kreider has not performed for the Rangers, he still has high value that the team should cash in on. He is midway through his prime years, signed until the end of the 2020 season at a reasonable cap charge, and producing during the regular season.
The Rangers have plenty of depth at forward, and Chris Kreider should be the sacrifice to help fix the defense.
Lou Venditti- Rangers Trade Nash for Poor Return
The changes that are coming might not be for the best.
When the New York Rangers inevitably trade Rick Nash this offseason, the return for him may not be what most fans believe is appropriate. Nash is an aging star in a league that has been pumped full of youth, and his stock has been drastically lowered by his inconsistent point scoring for the Rangers.
The formerly premier goal scorer for the Columbus Blue Jackets has only scored more than 30 goals once in his Rangers career and is about to turn 33 this offseason. On top of his regular season woes, it is worth noting that Nash has notoriously struggled in the postseason, with the one true outlier being his 2014 campaign, where he went 5-9-14 over 19 games played.
Next: Looking at a Potential Rangers-Hurricanes Trade
In a league of premier goal scorers and a youthful influx of talent, Rick Nash might not be the top of the line trade chip that most fans believe him to be. Nash may be dealt for picks or prospects, but fans shouldn’t get their hopes up for a fruitful return.