New York Rangers: Five free agents that must be avoided

Michael Stone-

Michael Stone was a right-handed defenseman that the New York Rangers could’ve acquired, but passed on at the trade deadline. Instead, Stone was traded from the Arizona Coyotes to the Calgary Flames.

Now, Stone is an unrestricted free agent who the Rangers should pass on once again. A former third round pick for the Coyotes, the 26 year old posted 30 assists and totaled 36 points in 75 games during the 2015-2016 season, but tore his ACL and MCL late that year.

This year, it looked like Stone struggled to regain form and under performed for the Flames. Was it due to the injury? That remains to be seen. In 64 games last season, Stone had just 15 total points.

Teams will over pay for a young, right-handed defenseman, but it shouldn’t be the Rangers. Stone’s puck possession saw a sharp decrease this past season, with a putrid corsi for of 43.5%. The Rangers need possession drivers, not anchors, and need more consistency from their back end.