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New York Rangers: Five expansion draft trade targets

By Dan Carrozzi

May 31, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA: General overall view of the T-Mobile Arena exterior on Las Vegas Blvd. on the Las Vegas strip. The facility will be the home of the NHL expansion franchise Vegas Golden Knights which will begin play during the 2017-18 season. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 31, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA: General overall view of the T-Mobile Arena exterior on Las Vegas Blvd. on the Las Vegas strip. The facility will be the home of the NHL expansion franchise Vegas Golden Knights which will begin play during the 2017-18 season. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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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

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