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New York Rangers: Should Alex Kerfoot be a free agent target?

By LOGAN CLEMENTS

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 06: Harvard Crimson forward Alexander Kerfoot (14) skates during an NCAA Frozen Four semifinal game with the Harvard Crimson and the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs on April 6, 2017, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 06: Harvard Crimson forward Alexander Kerfoot (14) skates during an NCAA Frozen Four semifinal game with the Harvard Crimson and the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs on April 6, 2017, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Alex Kerfoot will hit the UFA market on August 15th and is going to be in high demand. The question is, should the New York Rangers be interested in signing him?

Alex Kerfoot is an unsigned college hockey player who was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 2012. Kerfoot played for Harvard University during his collegiate career. He served as the captain of the team during his senior season.

On August 15th, Kerfoot will be able to choose which team he wants to sign an entry level contract with Kerfoot is a player that every team will be looking to add since he will be making no more than $925,000 a season (plus performance bonuses). His ELC would only be for two seasons, but those are two seasons where he would be playing on an affordable contract.

His ELC would only be for two seasons, but those are two seasons where he would be playing on an affordable contract.

Should the Rangers sign him?

The simple answer is yes.

Alex Kerfoot’s NCAA production has increased in every season that he’s played. His goal scoring ability seems to have also gotten better during his senior season. He went from scoring four goals as a senior to scoring 16 as a senior.

These are all positive signs to see in a college-level player. More than likely, Kerfoot will not be better than Jimmy Vesey, who the Rangers signed last offseason. Kerfoot has a lower floor and ceiling than Vesey.

However, this shouldn’t affect the Rangers decision. Kerfoot can very well become a solid bottom six player for them. Kerfoot also happens to be a center, which happens to be the area the New York Rangers could use more depth at.

And as mentioned before, Kerfoot will be on an ELC, so he won’t be hurting the Rangers’ cap. If the Rangers were to feel that he isn’t ready for the NHL, they can bury him in Hartford, without having it count against the cap, and he would likely become the top line center.

There really isn’t a reason for the New York Rangers to not sign him.

Related Story: What if the Rangers picked Tarasenko over McIlrath?

Do the Rangers have a chance at signing him?

The New York Rangers seem to be a team that attracts college free agents. Kevin Hayes and Jimmy Vesey have all signed within the last three seasons. Alex Kerfoot also happened to be the center of Vesey’s line at Harvard.

The New York Rangers are a perennial playoff team, which gives them an advantage over teams that regularly miss the playoffs.

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There is a real possibility that Kerfoot will sign with the Rangers when he hits free agency.  It’s hard to say that the Rangers are the top landing spot for him. But more than likely, they are at the top of Kerfoot’s list.

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