New York Rangers: Five thoughts on trades, rumors, and more
Five thoughts as the offseason winds down.
It’s August! Somehow! We’re only two months and a few days away from regular season hockey! What a world! It feels like the Rangers offseason should be complete by now, but the opinion here is that there is plenty left to be done.
Adding Kevin Shattenkirk was a fantastic move by Jeff Gorton and company, but Shattenkirk cannot be looked at as the only big addition to this team. Once the Rangers decided to ship out Derek Stepan to the Arizona Coyotes, they needed to do more.
However, we will get into that in a moment. For now, let’s take a moment to appreciate that Shattenkirk is a New York Ranger, and the Rangers are set to have a strong defense for the first time in what feels like forever. It’s beautiful.
Still, the Rangers have some work to do. Let’s take a look at that and more in this version of ‘five thoughts.’
Center Concern Pt. 2
I previously wrote that the Rangers should consider trading J.T. Miller for a center. I hated writing that article because Miller is a terrific player, but the more I think about it, the more I believe it’s the only way to get a top six center.
Unless some team miraculously believes Nick Holden is the cure to all of their woes, the Rangers do not possess the assets to bring in a true top six center, unless it’s a salary dump type of move. New York does not own an abundance of cap space, so even a salary dump is unrealistic.
That leaves a pure one-for-one swap like Derick Brassard for Mika Zibanejad last season. The most logical way for the Rangers to approach such a move would be to trade from their depth at the wing to address a weakness at center ice.
Considering the Rangers likely want a long term piece, they will have to surrender a long term piece. Pavel Buchnevich and Jimmy Vesey are off limits for different reasons, leaving only J.T. Miller.
If the move is Brassard for Zibanejad-like, Miller will be the player to go. The Rangers need a center more than they need Miller, so it makes sense, too.
What About Ryan Graves?
Earlier this offseason, our own Alexandra Russo pondered whether or not the Rangers should move Ryan Graves for a young forward. It’s a strange thought when you think about how last season we were all begging for Graves to be promoted in place of Nick Holden.
However, this also makes sense.
On the blue-line, the Rangers boast Ryan McDonagh, Kevin Shattenkirk, Brady Skjei, Brendan Smith, Marc Staal, Nick Holden, Anthony DeAngelo, Alexei Bereglazov, and Neal Pionk. That’s not including near-NHL ready prospect Sean Day, or serviceable stopgap players such as John Gilmour.
Up front, the Rangers NHL-ready depth that will not be in the opening lineup consists of Boo Nieves. Maybe Matt Puempel if Jesper Fast returns from injury in time, maybe Cole Schneider if you stretch the definition of NHL-ready.
As weird and surprising as it may be, the Rangers would be wise to look into swapping Graves for an equally talented young forward. Depth up front will be key, especially if the Rangers fail to acquire a top six center.
….and about Nick Holden?
Make no mistake about it, Nick Holden should have been traded already. Marc Staal should have been bought out, but it looks like that ship has sailed. So we’re left talking about Nick Holden again.
It’s not about the salary for Holden, but at the same time it is entirely about the salary for Holden. Wait, that makes sense! Holden is not overpaid necessarily, but the Rangers need every dollar they can get right now. We listed the defensive depth in Graves’ section, and Holden is simply another player taking playing time away from younger players.
Coming off of a season in which he tallied more than 30 points, Holden will have some trade value. He must be moved, and in a perfect world the move will pave the way for a top six center to join the team. If not, the Rangers should use the cap space to bolster their depth at wing even more.
Regardless, Holden has to go. There is no scenario in which he should be on the 2017-18 Rangers.
Alain Vigneault-Proofing the Roster
Something beautiful is happening. Jeff Gorton is working to completely Alain Vigneault-proof the New York Rangers roster. First, Dan Girardi was let go. Next, the Rangers added a variety of pieces that Vigneault will have to use.
As long as Tanner Glass is not brought back and Chris Neil doesn’t join the team, Vigneault will be forced to play talented fourth liners, too.
Gorton is getting so close to the finish line, and is a couple of moves away from nearly fully Alain-Vigneault proofing this roster. Marc Staal likely isn’t going anywhere, but if Nick Holden is shipped out, Staal will be the only player Vigneault can bury the Rangers with. I don’t believe Staal can bury the Rangers on his own.
Next: Potential Rangers trades before the season
Keep an eye out on the moves for the remainder of the offseason. Perhaps Vigneualt has less of a say than we believe, or perhaps he is finally thinking progressively. I wouldn’t count on the latter.