New York Rangers: Five potential replacements for Derek Stepan
The New York Rangers have considered the idea of trading Derek Stepan before the start of next season. Stepan plays a role to the Rangers that every team needs: top line center.
The abrupt ending to this year’s New York Rangers season has left a need for change. Derek Stepan is one of the players that could be part of the change.
Stepan plays a very big role for the Rangers. He is a two-way forward and the top line center. If he were to be traded, the Rangers would need to find someone to replace him. In theory, his replacement would need to be either someone within the team or an adequate center from somewhere else.
Here is a look at five possible players that could replace Derek Stepan.
J.T. Miller
J.T. Miller is a solution that could be the smoothest option of them all.
Miller has been with the team for a few years so he knows how things work around the organization and he understands the expectations. He is familiar with the team and could blend very well with his new line mates.
If the Rangers traded Stepan away and didn’t receive a heavy contract in return, this replacement could save them a lot of money. The defense needs an upgrade more than the offense, so this helps the team a ton.
J.T. Miller is more than adequate for the position of top center. He led the Rangers in points last season and hasn’t missed a game in two full seasons including the postseason.
Miller is only playing around 16 minutes per game right now. He is deserving of more ice time and he can find it as the top center.
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.
Joe Thornton
Joe Thornton has seen a lot in his 19 NHL seasons. His best days are behind him, but he could still be effective for the Rangers in the short-term.
This year’s free agent pool isn’t very center rich. Thornton could be signed to a short deal and work as a replacement until the Rangers can find a better center.
Thornton has the experience to back up his case as a top center. He has never won a Stanley Cup, but that in turn drives his thirst to get there. He played these playoffs with a torn ACL, if you need any convincing.
Thornton had 50 points this season to top it off. He will be 38 next year, but he has shown that he is still talented enough to be productive and lead a team.
He makes the Rangers older, which isn’t the direction the Rangers are trying to go in, but he adds an element of experience not many players can.
Kevin Hayes
Kevin Hayes is like JT Miller in that they are both productive, young centers that are already acclimated with the system.
Hayes really bounced back in a big way this year. He finished last season as a scratch for playoff games. This year he put up big numbers and found a way to help contribute.
Money would be a great reason to promote Hayes. If Jeff Gorton can clear Stepan’s contract and put Hayes in his position, that would leave a good chunk of cap room to use elsewhere to improve the roster.
Kevin Hayes is naturally a right winger. He has played at center before and could do it full time. It’s important that the Rangers utilize their best players around their other best players. The New York Rangers have plenty of good wingers, and flexing Hayes in as a top center could benefit in a huge way.
Martin Hanzal
Martin Hanzal could be the most coveted center among this summer’s free agent pool.
Hanzal played last season with two teams: the Arizona Coyotes and the Minnesota Wild. He registered 39 points in 71 games between the two clubs and added a point in the playoffs with Minnesota.
Hanzal has been playing top line minutes over the past few years with Arizona. He was not a top line center with Minnesota, but that was due to a deep center group in Minnesota.
Hanzal’s value really comes out in his ability to play on both sides of the ice. His two-way capability make him a great addition to any team, let alone the Rangers.
Next: Which New York Rangers core players are expendable?
He could really thrive in New York if surrounded by the right cast. He would probably have to come at a reasonable price, but the Rangers should be willing to negotiate with him.