New York Rangers: Analyzing the center pool in free agency
With Oscar Lindberg and Derek Stepan off the roster, the Rangers are desperately in need of some help down the middle of the ice.
Two of the Rangers starting centers from last season are no longer with the team. That has left a void that Rangers management must fill in the upcoming months. Either through free agency, internally or via trade New York will undoubtedly look to bolster the middle of the ice.
Of the three options, building from within seems the least likely. The Rangers have few options in their farm system who seem to be ready.
While trading is certainly still an option, the asking prices may be too high for a second or third line center and the Rangers don’t have a ton of pieces at their disposal.
That leaves free agency, where centers are available and the Rangers have cap space to bargain with. There are plenty of options for New York and if the price is right, plucking at least one center from the free agent market seems like a logical choice.
Here are the pros and cons to a few free agent signings the Rangers may look into this offseason.
Sam Gagner-
The 6th overall pick in the 2007 draft is once again a free agent. Last year he produced a career-high 50 points for the Columbus Blue Jackets, including 18 points on the top power play unit.
Pros: Gagner is one of the younger options at center, so immediately that should entice the Rangers. The team looks to be trending younger and Gagner, at 27, still has a good amount of longevity in him. His speed and playmaking ability fit the bill of what the Rangers look at with their players.
Furthermore, Gagner excels on the power play, as was evidenced by his 18 points last season. That total is equal to what Derek Stepan, who led the Rangers in that category, had last year. Gagner is coming off of a contract worth just $650,000. He will certainly be more expensive than that, but won’t garner top end money either.
Cons: While his youth is tempting, the risk with Gagner is the inconsistency factor. Although he had 50 points last season, the year before that total was just 18. Granted he played in fewer games, but that’s still concerning.
Not only is his production up and down, but Gagner has only played one full NHL season and that was a lockout-shortened year. Though he has never sustained a devastating injury in his career, his durability is certainly a question as well.
Nick Bonino-
Now a two-time Stanley Cup champion, Bonino hits the free agent market as a role player with invaluable experience.
Pros: As I just mentioned, the experience factor is huge with Bonino. He has six game-winning goals in six trips to the playoffs. He was a large factor in both runs by the Pittsburgh Penguins. What Bonino brings is depth and skill in the bottom six.
The Rangers have had more of this than just about anyone else in the NHL over the past three seasons, so again Bonino would fit right in. He has become a solid face-off man and also blocks shots well. In terms of a role player, Bonino would improve just about any team he became a part of.
Cons: If New York is concerned with making up for the offensive production lost in the absence of Derek Stepan, Bonino isn’t your guy. His offensive numbers won’t jump off the page and he likely won’t be a part of the power play.
Bonino isn’t old, but at 30 he is nearing that point. Currently, his best season was back in 2013-2014 when he registered 22 goals and 49 points. On the Penguins he played with Phil Kessel and Carl Hagelin and still didn’t register those numbers. Assuming that Bonino is looking for a raise- his cap hit was just under $2 million last year- the Rangers should stay away because his production hasn’t added up to a more lucrative contract.
Martin Hanzal-
Dealt from Arizona to Minnesota in a huge deadline move last season, Hanzal is possibly the biggest name center on the market this offseason.
Pros: He has size. He is consistent. He’s got a decent amount of skill. Hanzal’s also very solid defensively. In short, he checks off a lot of boxes that make teams want a center like him. Hanzal isn’t an elite center by any means, but he could easily fill a third-line void.
For the Rangers, Hanzal would immediately add skill to their top nine. He has been in the league for 10 seasons now, but certainly, has a lot left. Maybe the most important aspect of Hanzal’s game that should have the Rangers excited is his career 51.8% win percentage in the face-off circle. The Rangers ranked 22nd in that category last year.
Cons: More so than any other free agent, money worries me with Hanzal. Just based on his size and the fact that he may be the top center on the market, Hanzal will probably be looking at a 4-5 year deal worth anywhere from $4.5-5 million.
It seems unreasonable to think that, but the Wild gave up a king’s ransom to acquire Hanzal, so that figure is well within the realm of possibility. The Rangers would be paying big money for a player whose production may never live up to it.
Joe Thornton-
Without his ligament tears, Thornton is easily the number one free agent center on the market. With them, he still may be, but the gap is closer than it would be otherwise.
Pros: This list could be incredibly long, but let me try to summarize. He is a no-doubt future Hall of Famer, one of the best passers this generation has ever seen, a proven leader and still at age 37, probably a top 15 center in the game. He would instantly make an impact in New York.
Thornton has all of the tools that make an elite center. Even at his age, his play hasn’t deteriorated that much. In 12 years, he has averaged just over a point per game. His lowest total, excluding the lockout year, was 50 points last season. A regression is expected at Thornton’s age, but a regression from a player of his caliber will still give you 50-60 points a year.
Cons: There have been reports that Thornton is looking for a three year deal. With his knee issues and age in general, that raises a red flag. If there were a health guarantee, then sign me up. However, there is no such thing in sports and that immediately makes Thornton a risky play.
Next: Non-tendered Free Agents to Look At
Jumbo Joe is a great player and would make the Rangers incredibly skilled and deep at center, but health is a logical concern. Not to mention that Thornton wouldn’t play into the Rangers speed aspect. Certainly that is a something the team could deal with, but another knee injury could mark the end of Thornton’s career and that’s something New York couldn’t deal with.