New York Rangers: Who we want taken in the Expansion Draft

Brandon Cohen

Antti Raanta-Oscar Lindberg-Brendan Smith’s negotiating rights-Jesper Fast-Michael Grabner-trade of assets to choose who Vegas takes

While I originally prayed to Charlie McAvoy that the Las Vegas Golden Knights would take Nick Holden, the Rangers ruined my Sunday and chose to protect him. Now I’m left with plenty of choices I don’t like! Rude.

My top choice is for the Knights to take Antti Raanta. While I would have loved to have gotten a pick in return for Raanta, the Rangers do not need him. Benoit Allaire has proven he can make a solid goalie out of anyone. Let Vegas have Raanta, sign someone, turn them into a solid backup, everything’s fine.

I put Oscar Lindberg second because I feel like we are vastly overrating bottom six players. He’s a solid player, but he’s going to top out at 40 points (which he likely won’t reach) and he’s 26 years old. The Rangers can sign someone for $2-3 Million to do the same and lose out on $1-2 Million this offseason.

Brendan Smith’s negotiating rights place third because he is an uncertainty due to his contract situation, and the Rangers would be losing an uncertainty over a certainty if he’s selected.

Jesper Fast is similar to Oscar Lindberg, but I appreciate his overall game more. He also holds some sentimental value and I’m a sucker for that.

Michael Grabner is the player I’d least like to see taken because he brings a unique dynamic with his speed, and his trade value is astronomical. Losing him for nothing would hurt a lot.

John Williams

Antti Raanta-Jesper Fast-Oscar Lindberg-Trade of Brendan Smith’s rights-Trade with Vegas to take a specific player-Michael Grabner.

Initially, my dream scenario for the expansion draft was GM George McPhee selecting an exposed Nick Holden based on his 11 goals and 30+ points he put up in 16-17. Well, since the Rangers ended up protecting Holden after buying Dan Girardi out of his contract, the Rangers will be forced to lose a player who makes a positive impact.

Antti Raanta is now the guy I want Vegas to take. He’s a very good backup and does have some trade value, but backup goalies can be acquired for nothing and Benoit Allaire could literally turn me into a reliable goalie.

Jesper Fast is second because the Rangers are so deep at the wing that he can be replaced. I love what the kid brings to the table but the Rangers could call up Boo Nieves who can play the same role.

Oscar Lindberg is as solid a fourth line center as they come. He was awesome in the playoffs and while healthy, he can definitely play a great two-way game. It wouldn’t kill the Rangers if they lost him but it wouldn’t be great either.

The Rangers need to do anything they can to make sure Brendan Smith comes back next season. If Vegas drafts his rights, it doesn’t mean he has to sign there but I don’t want to take that risk.

There is only one player that I would give up significant assets–a second-round pick and a prospect or something of that nature–and that’s Michael Grabner. Speed kills, and much like Carl Hagelin used to do, he makes the offensive depth go. Also, he gets at least a breakaway a game so maybe the offense isn’t completely unsustainable. Losing him is the absolute worst case scenario.

John Cavanagh

Oscar Lindberg-Michael Grabner-Jesper Fast-Trade with Las Vegas to take a specific player-Antti Raanta

The expansion draft will leave many talented players exposed, but the Rangers could make a trade to avoid that from happening. There are many possibilities that could happen, but some are more favorable than others.

Oscar Lindberg had a good season, and better playoff. He seemed to thrive in his role as a fourth line center. However, he’s very replaceable.

Lindberg will turn 26 this coming season, so he’s not a great prospect on the rise. The Rangers could easily fill his spot in free agency.

Why would I value keeping Jesper Fast over Michael Grabner? Sure, Grabner had 27 goals in an unexpected season for the Rangers, but he has a tendency to be streaky.

Grabner has also had problems staying healthy in his career. Last season was a dream season for Grabner, and he likely won’t repeat it.

Fast is consistent, contributes in all areas of the game, and can be effective anywhere in the lineup. He’s one of those players you won’t miss until they’re gone.

Bribing Las Vegas to take on a player the Rangers don’t want is an attractive option. It would allow the Rangers to keep their roster intact, and rid of a contract they don’t want.

However, this would likely involve the Rangers giving up a first round pick. This year is the first time the Rangers will be picking in the first round in 2012, and it should stay that way.

Adding a first round talent to a weak prospect pool should be of high priority.

Finally, Antti Raanta is the player I want least to be selected by Las Vegas. It’s imperative the Rangers hold on to a great goaltender who’s just 28 years old.

With Lundqvist declining at 35 years old, Raanta is an ideal fall back option when Lundqvist is struggling.

Logan Clements

Michael Grabner-Jesper Fast-Brendan Smith’s Negotiating Rights-Antti Raanta-Trade Bribe-Oscar Lindberg

Grabner is the player I’d want Vegas to take the most. Grabner did score 27 goals this season, but he had an extremely high shooting percentage, did not drive possession, and is not a great shot suppressor. Losing Grabner’s speed would hurt, but I believe that the Rangers are more than able to replace him.

Jesper Fast is right after Grabner since his ceiling is that of a fourth-line player. He is an effective defensive player, but he manages to bring little offensively. There are plenty of UFAs or in-house players to replace Fast with if Vegas selects him.

Brendan Smith’s negotiating rights comes next mainly since losing Smith is preferable to losing Raanta or Lindberg, especially if the Rangers are not close to re-signing Smith.

Antti Raanta is the second to last player that I want the Rangers to lose. He provides tremendous value as a backup goaltender to Henrik Lundqvist and could help the Rangers restock on draft picks if the Rangers were to trade him at the draft. Those picks could help their “talent starved” farm system out.

I do not want the Rangers to lose Oscar Lindberg the more than any other exposed Rangers’ player. He is a fourth line center but provides the value of a third line center. Players like him are extremely valuable, play wise and trade value wise. Losing him would have great impact now and in the future.

Garrett Gartino

Kevin Klein in a trade – Brendan Smith’s rights – Michael Grabner – Antti Raanta – Oscar Lindberg – Jesper Fast

When Wednesday rolls around and picks start coming in, it won’t be long before the New York Rangers lose a valuable roster member. If they’re lucky, the Las Vegas Golden Knights will pass up on key contributors Oscar Lindberg and Jesper Fast. Both of which have cemented themselves as efficient bottom-six players for the Rangers.

Although it may seem far-fetched, the Rangers should propose a trade in which the new expansion team opts to select aging Kevin Klein. Klein may still hold value to a developing team in need of a veteran presence. Vegas could accomplish the same feat, albeit in a more complicated manner, if they select to take on Brendan Smith’s negotiating rights.

However, it is the remaining players that are most interesting heading into the draft. Michael Grabner’s value is at an all time high, and although he would be missed, he is not irreplaceable.

On the other hand, Rangers’ goaltending coach Benoit Allaire is no stranger to a challenge, and would easily find a replacement for Henrik Lundqvist’s backup.

Whatever choice Las Vegas’ GM George McPhee chooses, the Rangers will be looking for a key replacement on their roster next season.

Tim Haggerty

Jesper Fast-Brendan Smith’s Negotiating Rights-Bribe Vegas to Take Kevin Klein-Oscar Lindberg-Antti Raanta-Michael Grabner

It’s hard to imagine a situation where the Rangers are happy the expansion draft exists.

Bribing Las Vegas to take Klein would be ideal, but with the chance of him retiring, it doesn’t seem worth it to trade away an asset to insure it.

Smith’s negotiating rights would hurt, but wouldn’t be the worst thing. He is a very replaceable defenseman and the Rangers would be better off keeping everyone else.

It’s a similar situation for Jesper Fast. It’s great to have him, but he doesn’t offer much that the Rangers couldn’t find in the free agent market.

Lindberg is a good forward that I just find more appealing than Jesper Fast. He does a lot more for the team on both ends that Fast doesn’t.

Grabner and Raanta are worst case scenarios. Grabner has incredible value given his production in relativity to his contract. Raanta could haul a big return on the trade market, so losing him for nothing wouldn’t help the Rangers at all.

Joshua Lipman

Brendan Smith’s negotiating rights-Antti Raanta-Michael Grabner-Jesper Fast-Oscar Lindberg-Bribe Las Vegas to take Kevin Klein

Much of the excitement surrounding Wednesday’s Las Vegas expansion draft centered on its potential to spur trades. But the Rangers made no major deals before submitting their protected list. Barring a surprise agreement with Las Vegas, the expansion draft offers little more than a minor inconvenience.

Brendan Smith’s negotiating rights hold little value. While Smith played well in his limited stint with the Rangers, he is not the top pairing defenseman they desperately covet.

Antti Raanta is an excellent backup goalie, but he has no long-term future in New York. The Rangers should sell high on Raanta this offseason if Vegas doesn’t bite.

Michael Grabner made huge, unexpected offensive contributions to the 16-17 squad. But Grabner probably doesn’t match those numbers and is only a year from free agency.

Jesper Fast’s dogged puck pursuit game and cost-controlled restricted free agent status should attract Vegas’ interest. Losing the checking winger would hurt, but the Rangers do have wing depth.

Restricted free agent center Oscar Lindberg has a tantalizing two-way game. I dread Vegas taking him more than any other unprotected player, which is why they’ll do just that.

The Rangers could try to bribe the Golden Knights to take Kevin Klein. Vegas have no reason accept unless New York offers something more significant than any unprotected player.

Drew McCaffrey

Kevin Klein through a trade -Jesper Fast-Oscar Lindberg-Antti Raanta-Brendan Smith’s negotiating rights-Michael Grabner

The New York Rangers’ protected list is final, and we now know that Nick Holden is protected. Additionally, the Rangers don’t have a deal in place to protect any players. The likelihood that Vegas takes a good player is high.

Klein getting taken is obviously the best outcome. He’s probably retiring, and even if he doesn’t, he won’t have a spot in the Rangers’ top-six this year. Losing him only helps the Rangers. Losing Jesper Fast would hurt more, but he’s a utility player. While Fast is good in his role, there are plenty of replacements out there who can play on the fourth line.

Oscar Lindberg is where things start to hurt more. Lindberg is a superb fourth-line center, with the ability to play on the third line if needed. Losing him hurts the Rangers’ center depth, and they’ll need to trade or sign a free agent to replenish that depth.

At this point, Raanta would be most useful in a trade to bring back draft picks. Vegas will be sorely tempted to take the talented backup, and the Rangers would be hard-pressed to find the same kind of value in other options.

Brendan Smith, meanwhile, is exactly the kind of player the Rangers need to revamp the defense for next year. Lastly, Grabner’s speed and penalty killing are extremely valuable, and fit in well with the mixture of speed and skill throughout their four lines.

Karly Redpath

Bribe Vegas to take Kevin Klein — lose Antti Raanta — lose Jesper Fast — lose Oscar Lindberg — lose Michael Grabner — lose Brendan Smith’s negotiating rights

In an ideal world, the Rangers would succeed in getting Vegas to somehow pick up Klein. Klein spent most of his season on the bench due to not fitting the Rangers style of play this season.

If Vegas picked up Klein, this would solve a looming problem for the Rangers.

In terms of the other individuals up for grabs, losing Raanta would be the least harmful. Though Raanta is a solid backup goaltender, he is replaceable.

Fast and Lindberg were vital components in the Rangers depth in the bottom six this season. Grabner was one of the Rangers most dangerous goal scorers in 2016-17. Seeing any of them go to Vegas would mean the Rangers would need to find replacements to maintain the success seen this year.

Finally, the most detrimental outcome would be losing Brendan Smith’s rights to Vegas. The choice to protect Nick Holden over Smith was dangerous, and now there is a very real possibility that the Golden Knights could end up with one of the Rangers top defenseman.

Ideal scenario: Smith stays and becomes a part of the core of the Rangers defense. Best case scenario: Smith signs a long-term deal and stays out west. Worst case scenario: he plays in Vegas for a few years, gets shipped a Metropolitan Division team and becomes a threat to the Rangers’ future success.

Justin Starr

Bribe Vegas to take Kevin Klein-Antti Raanta-Jesper Fast-Michael Grabner-Brandon Smith’s Negotiating Rights-Oscar Lindberg

Now hear me out, it’s a long shot but if the Rangers can get Vegas to take Klein, do it. As long as they are selling the house along with Klein. I would hate to lose Raanta for free but he wouldn’t hurt to lose as much as the others. I would’ve really liked to see the Rangers trade Raanta before the freeze but beggars can’t be choosers.

It would hurt the most to lose Grabner, Smith’s negotiating rights, and Lindberg. Grabner played above and beyond what the Rangers expected from him last season. Along with his speed, he is a player that would hurt to replace. The same could be said for Smith’s rights and Lindberg. With Girardi out of the picture, the Rangers need to sign Brandon Smith. I believe that Lindberg has more upside than Fast and could continue to develop into a top 6, two-way player for the Rangers.

If I had to pick, the top three for the Vegas Golden Knights to take would be Klein, Raanta, and then Fast. If anyone wants to send Vegas a Klein highlight reel, I’m all on board with that.

Lou Venditti

Antti Raanta-Jesper Fast-trade/bribe Vegas the rights to Brendan Smith-Michael Grabner-Oscar Lindberg

As far as I’m concern, Antti Raanta is the easiest replaced of the Rangers exposed. Benoit Allaire, the goaltending coach for the Rangers, is some kind of mad scientist who makes backup goalies into starters. Raanta was fine before Allaire, but Allaire took him to the next level.

Allaire will do this with Henrik Lundqvist’s next backup, too. Raanta is just another one of Lundqvist’s backup goaltenders who Allaire taught to be great.

As far as the next three go, they can still be replaced. Nicklas Jensen ripped Hartford apart last year with 32-23-55 in 70 games played. If Jesper Fast is taken, Jensen probably gets a more real shot at the NHL.

Brendan Smith may be very good, but I’d rather lose the rights to negotiate before July 1st than a real contract. If Michael Grabner is taken, Thomas Vanek hits UFA on the 1st. Vanek, while older, can adequately replace Grabner in both point production and European token status.

Next: Predicting the Rangers' 2017-18 forwards

I’m not usually one to overrate Oscar Lindberg, but he’s the least replaceable member of the Rangers that’s exposed for the expansion draft. Lindberg is a top tier, bottom six forward, and a center at that. Losing him for nothing would be the biggest punch to the gut that the expansion draft could offer.