New York Rangers: Five outside the box Derek Stepan replacements

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Feb 23, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson (9) skates with the puck against the Calgary Flames during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Tyler Johnson

Young and speedy Tyler Johnson. The New York Rangers certainly haven’t forgotten this name after his hat trick in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals in 2015 (sorry, don’t mean to open up old wounds).

However, on the flip side, he would be a perfect fit for the system the Rangers are trying to build. By the end of the summer, he will only be 27 years old, which is about the age the Rangers would be ok signing to at least a one year deal.

If anything, they need only to see how he performs the first year, and if it’s to their satisfaction, they’ll keep him. After all, he does come with a price tag of $3.2M. And Tampa Bay needs room for extensions coming up shortly. This is a deal that could possibly be one of the best the Rangers could make if they decide to proceed down this route.

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