New York Rangers: Five arbitration players to target

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The New York Rangers have holes in their forward corps following the trade of number one center Derek Stepan. Its arbitration season for eligible restricted free agents, and the Rangers would be wise to explore a few of them.

Although deep on the wings, the New York Rangers need some help down the middle. Number one center Derek Stepan is playing in Arizona and breakout bottom six center Oscar Lindberg was drafted by the Vegas Golden Knights. The only relief so far has been the signing of journeyman David Desharnais.

The Rangers should be well aware of the contentious relationships between teams and their restricted free agents at this point in the summer. They have their own to worry about before scoping out other teams. Top six center Mika Zibanejad remains unsigned and has his arbitration meeting on July 25.

Once Zibanejad’s contract situation is solved, the Rangers should take a look at these five arbitration eligible free agents:

NASHVILLE, TN – JUNE 11: Patric Hornqvist /

Viktor Arvidsson

Viktor Arvidsson played a massive role in the Nashville Predator’s success last season. The diminutive winger seriously broke out. He performed at the highest level in both the regular season and the playoffs.

The 24-year-old scored 31 goals and 30 assists through 80 regular season games. His strong play continued as he scored 3 goals and 10 assists in the Predator’s run to the Stanley Cup Final. He may be asking a lot after this breakout year, but he very well may not get it from the Predators.

Arvidsson hasn’t shown that last year was nothing but a fluke. The former fourth round draft pick hadn’t won a full-time NHL spot prior to last season, and he only ever dominated at a junior level. There are also other players that Nashville needs to focus its efforts on.

Fellow forward Ryan Johansen, a bona fide number one center, is also a restricted free agent. However, he doesn’t have arbitration rights. This means he could choose to not play next season if he doesn’t have a contract. Arvidsson can play any forward role and taking a flier on him could prove beneficial for the Rangers.

Mikael Granlund

Mikael Granlund is just what the Rangers need to replace Derek Stepan. The 25-year-old left-handed center has consistently grown through his NHL career. After last season, he can reliably be deployed as a top six center.

Last season, he scored 26 goals and 43 assists for 69 points in 81 games for the Minnesota Wild. That would have been the highest point total on the Rangers last season, ten higher than Rangers’ top scorer Mats Zuccarello. However, there are a few things prohibiting the Rangers from acquiring Granlund.

The first is the cap. The Wild have more than enough space for Granlund, while the Rangers may not have enough space after re-signing Mika Zibanejad. The other is cost. The Rangers most likely don’t have the assets to make the move work to acquire Granlund

Conor Sheary

The speedy winger that has tormented the Metropolitan division is currently a restricted free agent and remains unsigned. Conor Sheary broke onto the scene in the playoffs two seasons ago, scoring 4 goals and 6 assists en route to the Penguins’ first Cup in that span. Last season, he solidified his place with a stunning regular season performance.

In his 61 games, Sheary scored 23 goals and 30 assists for 53 points. His playoff performance, however, was uninspiring. He played in all 22 playoff games, but he only scored 2 goals and 5 assists.

This may have come down to the personnel surrounding him. Sheary fell down the depth chart as his teammate, fellow youngster Jake Guentzel, played like a man possessed. While this detracts from Sheary’s value significantly, he still brings things to the ice that are very valuable.

Sheary would add some incredible depth because he plays both ends of the ice so well. He is patient with and without the puck, but when he has even the smallest amount of open ice, he has the wheels to burn any defenseman. A player like Sheary has a spot on any roster.

Matt Nieto

Simply put, the Colorado Avalanche have been abysmal the past few years. As such, it’s no surprise that many players have down years with the team. This is just the case with Matt Nieto.

Nieto started his career with two solid seasons in San Jose. His third season was disappointing to say the least. He regressed in point totals and missed time due to injury.

Midway through this past season, Nieto was dealt to Colorado. He didn’t impress there either. He now ends up awaiting arbitration for his next contract. He’s shown glimmers of what he can do throughout his career.

His point totals have never been the highest, topping out at 27, but his overall game is very strong. In his limited game time, he ranks highly in shot generation and shot suppression. Realistically, Nieto projects to be a very solid depth forward, even on a great team.

Rangers’ stalwart Jesper Fast will miss much of the early part of the season. Nieto would be a great replacement and eventual complement in the bottom six.

Ryan Spooner

As previously stated, the Rangers are still in need of a center. Boston Bruin Ryan Spooner has had an up and down career so far. While he’s been inconsistent, he has the tools to become a solid middle six forward.

Spooner’s first full NHL season was two years ago when he put up his highest point total so far. Last season however, he regressed, dropping from 49 points to 39 points. Nonetheless, Spooner has played in limited minutes.

As of right now, Spooner would slot into the Rangers’ middle six. While the Rangers need a top six center, acquiring a solid middle six center would take some of the pressure off of Mika Zibanejad and Kevin Hayes. Making the move from Spooner, on the other hand, could prove difficult.

Next: New York Rangers: Five Golden Knights the Rangers should trade for

No doubt the Rangers need a few pieces to really contend next season. They have plenty of opportunities to trade for players who are in a contentious spot with their respective organization. However, the Rangers need to take care of their own first and get Mika Zibanejad signed.

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