New York Rangers: Four centers to be avoided in free agency

Apr 16, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton (19) shoots against the in the first period of game three in the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton (19) shoots against the in the first period of game three in the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
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Jun 8, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Nashville Predators center Mike Fisher (12) looks on against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in game five of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 8, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Nashville Predators center Mike Fisher (12) looks on against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in game five of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Fisher

Fisher is in a similar boat as Thornton (no pun intended). He is going to have the rationale to ask for good money that just comes with too much risk.

Fisher just turned 37. He is also coming off of a long playoff wrong where his Predators lost in the Stanley Cup Final to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Throughout the playoffs, you could tell that he had a lot of wear and tear on his body, as he missed some playoff games with an injury.

The Rangers could use their money in much better ways here. Fisher will likely want to finish his career wherever he chooses to go. If the Rangers sign him for two or three years, his contract will hurt down the road.

The current cap situation may seem like that’s unlikely. However, signing players like Fisher is how the Rangers could end up in cap trouble later. They should just play it safe and avoid Fisher.

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