New York Rangers: Central Division Trade Targets

2 of 8

Apr 17, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right winger Richard Panik (14) attempts a shot against the Nashville Predators in game three of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won in overtime 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago Blackhawks – Richard Panik

To be completely honest, the Rangers and the Blackhawks are not great trade partners. Both teams have solid goaltenders and depth at forward. However, while the Blackhawks have depth at defense, the top level defensemen on the roster are aging.

If the Rangers were to make a move for a Blackhawks player, it’d have to be in a pretty specific circumstance. The Rangers would have to lose either Michael Grabner or Jesper Fast to justify making the move for one of the more solid all around forwards on the ‘Hawks. Richard Panik, the 26-year-old lefty, proved himself a solid player last season.

In the 2016-2017 season with the Blackhawks, Panik played all 82 games. In those games, he accumulated 22 goals and 22 assists for 44 points, adding 58 penalty minutes as well. He and Rangers’ forward Jesper Fast play a similar game, but Panik chips in offensively quite a bit more.

However, the other major difference is a deterrent for the Rangers. Jesper Fast is currently a restricted free agent who will most likely sign for fairly cheap. Richard Panik carries a cap hit of $2.8 million. If the Rangers continue to shed salary as they are, Panik would be a good addition to the Rangers’ bottom six forwards.

Home/Analysis