New York Rangers: Who will be lost in the Expansion Draft?

Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

George Ruggiero- Dan Girardi

The expansion draft for the new Las Vegas based team is approaching, and everyone is clamoring about who’s going to get protected by their teams, and those that will be exposed and drafted. I think the Rangers are going to try some addition by subtraction. Vegas will draft Dan Girardi.

Now, hear me out, Girardi played well in the playoffs, but his contract and poor regular season play overshadow that. The Rangers would be better off without him on the roster and are expected to buy him out. If the Rangers could get rid of him without the recapture charge, why wouldn’t they

However, to do so, the Rangers would have two challenges ahead of them. One is actually giving Girardi the ultimatum: either you waive your no movement clause and go to Vegas, or get bought out. Either way, he is no longer a Ranger at the start of next season.

The other challenge is finding another backup goaltender. After his performance last season, Antti Raanta is a high value commodity right now, and he could garner a first round draft pick, at least. Teams have the ability to trade with Vegas and agree to draft or not draft players in the expansion.

He brings a veteran presence and a large cap hit to a team that needs both. As such, I see the Rangers trading Raanta for a low draft pick and the guarantee that Vegas picks Dan Girardi in the expansion draft.

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