New York Rangers: Five potential replacements for Michael Grabner
With the expansion draft looming, Michael Grabner might not be a part of the New York Rangers next season.
Grabner was the unlikely hero of the 2016-2017 New York Rangers’ season. He was strong, fast, and most importantly, a fairly consistent goal-scorer. Not to mention, he also stepped up when his team needed him the most- in the playoffs.
He was featured on the Hayes-Miller-Grabner line that received all kinds of praise from Alain Vigneault and teammates for the majority of the season. He finished the season with 27 goals and 13 assists for 40 points in 76 games.
However, it is possible that Grabner will be with the league’s new team after this offseason. Here’s a look at the top five replacements for him if this happens.
Patrick Eaves-
While not exactly a young player (33), Eaves is a good fit for the Rangers and exactly the type of player the team needs. He’s rather inexpensive, as well, as he was only paid $1M last season. And that number shouldn’t change too much if he were to sign with the Rangers.
Eaves brings the points and the physicality, which is a department this team could currently use some help in. Throughout the regular season, he registered a solid 89 hits with only 23 penalty minutes.
Beyond that, his point production was consistent, as he went 32-19-51 in 79 games played. Another important thing to note is that he specializes on the power play. And while the Ducks’ power play was in general better than the Rangers’ power play last season, his numbers speak for themselves. He had 13 goals and 18 points on the man-advantage situation, another area the Rangers need help in.
Justin Williams-
Williams is also not a young option, but a reliable one nonetheless. This may seem like an odd option considering that he was part of the Kings’ 2014 roster. However, his Cup experience might end up being useful to the Rangers in the long run if they acquire him this offseason.
He’s a consistent player, but his selling point is mainly that he’s won the Cup twice and has a strong net presence. He’s a name you would hear mentioned a lot, especially over the last two seasons with a strong Capitals’ roster.
His point production is sufficient for what the Rangers need, as well. He recorded 48 points through 80 games played with 24 goals and the same number of assists. He’s not the fast Grabner-type player that the Rangers are used to, but he knows well how to perform in key moments.
After all, it’s not the regular season that will sell the Rangers on acquiring Williams. He has 94 points in 140 playoff games, and that consistency is something the Rangers will need to finally get over the last step and win the Stanley Cup. That’s what they need, and that’s what they should be looking for.
Radim Vrbata-
Vrbata, like Williams, is also not a player that would be used to replicate Grabner’s role with the Rangers. Grabner brought speed to the team, while a player like Vrbata would bring something special to the table. He has a vast knowledge of many teams since he’s played for six of them.
A player like Vrbata has experience across the league, and that is always a good quality to have going into a new locker room. It means he has knowledge of the styles of different playing styles and coaching styles across the league.
More than that, it means he can transition fast, learn a new style of play fast, and get his game going easily. That is something the team will be grateful for if they acquire him this offseason.
Vrbata has great positioning and specializes in finishing passes. At age 35, he can still perform at a level the Rangers need. Check out some of his highlights if you’re feeling a bit doubtful.
Brett Connolly-
Connolly is the youngest of the five potential replacements for Grabner at 25 years old. That’s an alluring quality for any team in and of itself.
He started his career with the Tampa Bay Lightning when he was only 19, and from there, he became part of a rather successful Captials’ organization. For a young player, he’s had enough experience that if he were to join this Rangers’ team that’s looking to win the Stanley Cup Championship right now, he could do great things.
Also, he’s been sufficiently fast that if Grabner were to go, the Rangers wouldn’t have to miss that speed entirely. Also, they’d be looking at their organization long-term with a player like this. Last season, he recorded 15 goals and 8 assists for 13 points in 66 games played.
If he came to the Rangers, those numbers would most likely increase. He’s at a peak right now, and the team would be wise to take advantage of it if Grabner would no longer be with them.
Lee Stempniak-
Stempniak, a former Ranger, would fit in perfectly once again with the organization. When he was with the Rangers back in the 2014-2015 season, he posted nine goals and nine assists for 18 points in 55 games played.
As of now, his salary hit is $850k. Compare that to Grabner’s hit of $1.5M, and you’d wonder why the Hurricanes would agree to such a deal. However, that teams lacks in scoring, and Grabner had 11 more goals than Stempniak although they had the same amount of points.
Stempniak also isn’t the type of player Grabner is for the Rangers. He’s more of a play-maker than a goal-scorer, which the Rangers could use. Also, because of his time with the organization, he knows the playing style of Alain Vigneault.
Next: New York Rangers: Five potential replacements for Tanner Glass
This is a good trade to make if the Rangers want to preserve some cap room space. Also, as mentioned, they could use a play-maker, and Stempniak is the guy for that role.