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New York Rangers: Five non-tendered free agents that could be targeted

By John Williams

Oct 25, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Nail Yakupov (64) handles the puck against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scottrade Center. The Flames won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Nail Yakupov (64) handles the puck against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scottrade Center. The Flames won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 31, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Alexander Burmistrov (91) controls the puck against Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) in the first period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Alexander Burmistrov (91) controls the puck against Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) in the first period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Alexander Burmistrov

It feels like Burmistrov has been around forever and that’s because he has.

Burmistrov debuted in 2010-11 with the Atlanta Thrashers but somehow is only 25-years-old. After parts of seven seasons split between the Jets franchise and Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL and then the Jets once again, Burmistrov was waived in January and claimed by the Coyotes on January 1st.

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He was having a very rough time in Winnipeg, as he was only able to notch two assists in 23 games there. Once he got to Arizona, his game turned around quickly. In 26 games with Arizona, Burmistrov tallied five goals and nine assists playing in the Coyotes’ bottom-six.

It is kind of surprising that the Coyotes decided to let him walk in unrestricted free agency after his miraculous turnaround. One reason the Coyotes may have decided to let the Russian go is that of his abysmal CF% of 42.4%. It is worth noting that Arizona was the worst puck possession team in the league, but that number is alarming.

Burmistrov could be poised to return to the KHL, but the Rangers need centers with skill and could at the very least be interested in him as a camp invite.

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