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New York Rangers: Thoughts on College FA’s, Zaripov, Holden and more

By John Williams

KAZAN, RUSSIA - MARCH 30, 2017: Ak Bars's head coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov (R) and player Danis Zaripov in Leg 4 of their 2016/17 Season Kontinental Hockey League Eastern Conference final playoff tie with Metallurg Magnitogorsk at Tatneft Arena. Metallurg Magnitogorsk won the game 1-4. Yegor Aleyev/TASS (Photo by Yegor Aleyev\TASS via Getty Images)
KAZAN, RUSSIA - MARCH 30, 2017: Ak Bars's head coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov (R) and player Danis Zaripov in Leg 4 of their 2016/17 Season Kontinental Hockey League Eastern Conference final playoff tie with Metallurg Magnitogorsk at Tatneft Arena. Metallurg Magnitogorsk won the game 1-4. Yegor Aleyev/TASS (Photo by Yegor Aleyev\TASS via Getty Images) /
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As August is coming to an end, it’s time to gather some thoughts about the state of the New York Rangers all in one place.

Today marks just three weeks until the New York Rangers play a preseason game! With the dog days of summer almost behind us, I have some thoughts about the current roster and some of the latest news surrounding the team.

  • First things first: Two of the top college free agents have signed on with new teams in recent days. Center Alex Kerfoot has signed on with the Colorado Avalanche and defenseman Will Butcher is now contractually obligated to play for the New Jersey Devils.
  • The Rangers were one of the teams rumored to have been a finalist in the Kerfoot sweepstakes. Losing out on him isn’t a huge deal because he probably doesn’t project to be anything more than a really good third liner. It just would have been nice to get him for depth reasons.
  • Plus, think of all the feet puns we could have made….
  • The case of Butcher was different, though. He may have been the first major college free agent that the Rangers didn’t pursue over the last few years. Too bad all former Hobey Baker Award winners turn out to be stars in the NHL…
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 13: Matt Gilroy
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 13: Matt Gilroy /
  • Oh, yea…
  • Former Ranger Brandon Dubinsky has a bone to pick with how the NHL handles college free agents.
  • He’s not wrong. But why should I complain? My team got Kevin Hayes and Jimmy Vesey because of the league’s stupidity.
  • Speaking of Hayes, let’s shift the talk to the center position.
  • If the roster remains this way as the season begins, the Rangers will look one of two ways down the middle; Zibanejad-Hayes-Desharnais-Nieves or Zibanejad-Hayes-Andersson-Desharnais.
  • If I had a gun to my head, I would say that Andersson will make the opening night roster, but I’m still not too sure what the team’s plans are.

Related story: Andersson has phenomenal prospect tournament

  • I think I’d be comfortable giving Andersson a look at the third center spot. The Rangers will have an option to let him play a handful of games at the NHL level before deciding whether to keep him or ship him to the CHL.
  • I understand that if Andersson is the third line center, you are forcing all of your top three centers into unfamiliar positions
  • Although it’s not ideal, it doesn’t worry me. I think Zibanejad can handle the first center role at this point. Hayes’ contract is up after this season and if he can’t produce in the second line center role by now he should be considered as one of the roster casualties next offseason. Andersson seems very mature for his age and plays a style of game that can be effective right now at the NHL level. We’ll see how the preseason goes for him.
  • Maybe there is a third option developing, though…

Related story: Can Stepan’s production be replaced?

  • Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman has reported that the Rangers will be in pursuit of UFA Danis Zaripov. Never heard of him? That’s because he is a career KHLer. The 35-year-old was suspended from the KHL for two years due to a doping incident. The left wing scored 45 points in 56 games last season, a drop in production from recent years. If the Rangers bring him aboard, it is easier to shift J.T. Miller to the 3C spot.
  • Of course the Rangers could still move Nick Holden in a deal for a center, but I’m not sure how likely that is at this point. I still think Holden will probably get moved during training camp, but likely just for a draft pick or two.
  • I’ll leave you here with this: Igor Shestyorkin is a stud. Here’s a clip from one of his team’s first games this season.

Next: Five problems still in need of fixing

  • The heir apparent looks to be a savage too. Another reason I don’t think the Rangers’ window ends anytime soon.
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