New York Rangers: Five potential replacements for Derek Stepan

Nathan MacKinnon

Nathan MacKinnon and the New York Rangers has been an interesting development. Larry Brooks of the New York Post reported that the Rangers were interested in MacKinnon.

During the season, it looked like the Colorado Avalanche were ready to sell anyone for the right price. They ultimately made no major moves, but it seems like those talks have carried over into the summer.

Joe Sakic, the Colorado Avalanche general manager, would likely ask for a king’s ransom in return for MacKinnon. It’s unlikely Jeff Gorton would agree to any deal that fits Sakic’s bill, but there aren’t many better, reasonable players out there as replacements for Stepan.

MacKinnon had 53 points last year for the putrid Avalanche. He could easily exceed 70 points with the Rangers and would fit in perfectly with the roster.

It doesn’t hurt that MacKinnon is just 21 years old too. He makes the Rangers younger and better. If the deal is right, he is a best case replacement for Stepan.