New York Rangers: Five expansion draft trade targets
The expansion draft for the Vegas Golden Knights presents a unique opportunity for the New York Rangers. With many quality players being exposed, surprisingly or not, the Rangers should take advantage of this unique situation.
Part of the intrigue surrounding the expansion draft involves the numerous deals that will occur because of it. Las Vegas has made it known that they will be flipping some of their selections almost immediately for assets. The quality of players that are available is enticing to the New York Rangers, as well as every other team.
The Rangers don’t need to look far to realize that they themselves will lose a quality player. One of Antti Raanta, Michael Grabner, Oscar Lindberg or Jesper Fast will be plucked from the team. The player selected may then immediately be flipped for other assets, Raanta especially fits the bill.
Instead of focusing on what players the Rangers may lose, we’re going to look at how the Rangers can use this unusual summer to their advantage.
We’re going to take a look at five exposed players that the Rangers should acquire by working out a deal with the Golden Knights.
Brayden McNabb
Brayden McNabb is a 26 year old left-handed defenseman for the Los Angeles Kings.
McNabb is not heralded for his offense, only putting up two goals and two assists in 49 games last season.
However, his possession metrics are outstanding. Among defenseman that played at least 700 minutes 5 on 5 last season, McNabb posted the highest CF% of 60.25%. (CF% is the ratio of shot attempts for to total shot attempts)
His CF% over the past few seasons portrays him favorably as well. Although he has played for the notoriously possession dominant Kings, his CF% rel has been positive each season he has been in LA. (CF% rel is CF% minus the team’s CF% with the player off the ice).
McNabb would replace Brendan Smith quite nicely if the latter were to be selected by Vegas. He also has a very team friendly cap-hit of $1.7MM for next season.
Given his current status as a 2nd/3rd pairing defenseman, the cost to obtain McNabb would likely not be very high. A few picks or a prospect could likely obtain McNabb for the Rangers.
Marko Dano
Marko Dano is currently a center for the Winnipeg Jets. A former first round draft pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2013, Dano has been traded twice already.
Dano is only 22 years old and like McNabb, his boxcar numbers were underwhelming last season. He only put up four goals and 11 points in 38 games.
The hope for the Vegas Golden Knights or any team wishing to acquire him, would be that he recaptures his form from his abbreviated rookie season. In 2014-15, Dano scored eight goals and 21 points in 35 games for the Blue Jackets.
Dano signed a cheap one year contract with the Jets, likely to help make the team expansion compliant, for $850k.
For the Rangers, Dano could replace Oscar Lindberg if he were selected by the Golden Knights. However, with a seemingly higher ceiling, Dano could be slotted higher in the lineup to see if he can reignite his game playing a full season with consistent linemates.
Although involved in several high profile trades in the past, the cost to obtain Dano individually would likely not be much. Again, some combination of picks or a prospect would probably be enough for Vegas.
Josh Manson
Josh Manson is a right shot defenseman for the Anaheim Ducks. At 25, soon to be 26, Manson has just completed his second full season for the Ducks.
His scoring numbers, like Dano and McNabb don’t jump off the page at you. He scored five goal and 17 points last season and five goals and 15 points the season preceding it.
However, like Dano and McNabb, Manson is a young, cost-controlled player. He is signed only through next season at an $825k cap hit.
Unlike Dano and McNabb, he is a coveted right shot defenseman.
With the buyout of Dan Girardi and the potential retirement of Kevin Klein, the Rangers now, more than ever, have need of a right shot right defenseman.
With rumblings around the league that the Ducks have a deal in place to protect Sami Vatanen, Manson seems like he is in a prime position to be selected by Las Vegas.
Based on his handedness and higher offensive upside, Manson is likely to cost more than McNabb. A package might consist of picks and prospects or a depth roster player and a draft pick or prospect.
Next: Jason Demers
Jason Demers
Jason Demers is a right shot defenseman for the Flordia Panthers. At 29, Demers is a known commodity in the league with a contract to match. Demers averaged 19:36 TOI/game last season on the Panthers, alternating between the first and second pairings.
However, unlike the previous players, Demers has posted solid numbers the past few seasons. He posted nine goals and 28 points in 81 games last season. For the Dallas Stars the season before, Demers had seven goals and 23 points in 63 games.
Demers has also been very consistent scorer, amassing at least 21 points in each of his six full or near full seasons.
His possession numbers were underwhelming last year, posting a 49% CF% and CF% rel of -2.3. However, his numbers for the Dallas Stars the previous two seasons were very good: 2014-15 CF% = 55.0%, CF% rel = 3.8; 2015-16 CF% = 54.2%, CF% rel = 1.8)
The Rangers’ need for a right shot defenseman is well known and Demers would fit in nicely on the second pairing.
Unlike the previous players, Demers has a standard contract with a cap hit of $4.5MM for the next four seasons. Being an quality, established player would require more assets in return.
Demers may very well cost a roster player along with a prospect and picks. Personally, I would love to see if the Rangers could offer a package surrounding Nick Holden (he of 34 points last season) to Vegas for Demers.
Next: Matt Dumba
Matt Dumba
And here we come to the player that the Rangers should try hardest to trade for.
Matt Dumba is a 22 year old defenseman for the Minnesota Wild.
Similar to McNabb, Manson and Dano, Dumba is young and on a team friendly contract. As Manson and Demers are, Dumba is a desired right shot defenseman. Like Dano, Dumba is a former first round draft pick.
Dumba has the most enticing combination of current production, future potential and low cost.
Last season for the Wild, Dumba scored 11 goals and 34 points in 76 games. Dumba played the third most of the defenseman with 20:19 TOI/game. He also played a significant role on the Wild powerplay. Dumba tied Ryan Suter with 12 powerplay points and led defenseman with six powerplay goals. He was second to Suter for PP TOI among defenseman as well.
Dumba would fill a need that the Rangers currently do not have an in-house solution for.
However, Dumba is only signed through next season at $2.55MM, meaning his next contract will likely be a hefty one. This is despite the fact he will still be a restricted free agent.
The cost to obtain him would likely be a hefty one as well. It may take the likes of J.T. Miller or Kevin Hayes with a prospect or picks to acquire Dumba.
Next: New York Rangers’ five biggest needs the rest of the offseason
Regardless of who the Vegas Golden Knights select from the New York Rangers, the Rangers have an opportunity to come out better for it. The plethora of quality, available players mean that if the Rangers can assemble an attractive enough trade package, they may be able to obtain one from the league’s newest team.
(Stats courtesy of NHL.com and Puckalytics. Contract information courtesy of CapFriendly)