New York Rangers: Five players who may not last the season on Broadway
The NHL regular season is rapidly approaching, and roster battles are about to rage on. The New York Rangers are no exception to that. Here are five players that may not last the season with the Rangers.
Preseason roster battles occur throughout the NHL leading into the regular season. The New York Rangers have a ton of depth in both the forward ranks and defensive corps. There is a core group steadily in place that will have the inside track to make the opening night starting lineup.
Up front, the Rangers have a top line center in Mika Zibanejad leading a group of formidable forwards. This group includes veterans Rick Nash, Chris Kreider, and Mats Zuccarello along with youngsters Jimmy Vesey and Pavel Buchnevich. On defense, the Rangers boast a dangerous top four, featuring Ryan McDonagh, Kevin Shattenkirk, Brady Skjei, and Brendan Smith.
On the other hand, the Rangers have plenty of question marks up and down the lineup. As such, this is a look at five players who very well may not be on the Rangers at the end of the season.
Nick Holden
Nick Holden had a roller coaster of a season in 2016-17. From an on-paper great regular season, Holden quickly became a scapegoat for the Rangers’ early exit from the playoffs. Holden’s roster spot should be up for grabs should any suitor come calling or a young defenseman gets off to a hot start.
Holden had a strong regular season in his first year with the Rangers. Through 80 games, Holden produced a career high 11 goals and 24 assists for 35 points. However, his underlying possession stats would foreshadow his drop off in play during the playoffs.
Simply put, Holden was atrocious in the playoffs. He didn’t produce nearly as much as he did in the regular season, and his defensive play didn’t cut it when it mattered most. Both he and his defense partner, Marc Staal, became some of the most scrutinized players in New York after defensive gaffes led to multi-goal comebacks and eventual losses on more than one occasion.
Matt Puempel
The Rangers picked Matt Puempel up off waivers from the Ottawa Senators midway through last season. The 24-year-old forward only played 27 games with the Rangers but was impressive from time to time. The Rangers’ incredible forward depth may force Puempel out of not only a roster spot but maybe even a place in the organization.
In his 13 games with the Senators last season, Puempel didn’t score a single point, leaving the organization with just a -5 rating and seven penalty minutes. In his 27 game tenure with the Rangers, Puempel scored six goals, three of which were a hat trick against the Arizona Coyotes, and three assists for nine points.
While Puempel may have to occupy a roster spot early on while Jesper Fast is still recovering from offseason surgery, his roster spot is in flux. Puempel doesn’t fit on the roster on a regular basis, but he adds depth in the form a gritty player with a bit of skill. Keeping in mind that Puempel is only 24 and on a cheap contract, another team may have interest in him.
Steven Kampfer
Right-handed defenseman Steven Kampfer had his second stint in the Rangers’ organization this past season. After being traded to the Florida Panthers in 2014 before playing a game in a blue sweater, Kampfer was shipped to the Rangers in return for first-round bust Dylan McIlrath. With the Rangers’ defense in the state it is now, Kampfer has little chance of cracking the roster.
Kampfer only got his extremely limited playing time in relief for recent buyout victim Dan Girardi last season. In his 10 game stint, Kampfer scored a goal and an assist, and his possession stats don’t help his case either. At this point, too many players have the inside track on Kampfer to think that he’ll last the season with the Rangers.
Not only are there veterans Marc Staal and Nick Holden in Kampfer’s way, but this spring, the Rangers signed two young defensemen who seem NHL ready. Neal Pionk, a fellow righty, was snagged from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and Alexei Bereglazov, a hulking Russian, was signed to an entry-level deal from Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Although he adds depth to the defense corps, Kampfer is the odd man out.
Michael Grabner
This one is the most out of left field to this point, but just hear me out. Michael Grabner had a spectacular year with the Rangers last season. That may be why he doesn’t finish this year out with the Rangers.
Michael Grabner had a spectacular year with the Rangers last season. That may be why he doesn’t finish this year out with the Rangers.
Last season, Grabner scored 27 goals and 13 assists for 40 points in 76 games. After leading the team in goals during the regular season, Grabner performed well in the playoffs, scoring four goals and two assists in 12 games. After a performance like that, Grabner’s trade value has never been higher, especially since he’s on a cheap contract right now.
On the other hand, Grabner has been inconsistent throughout his career. If he continues his current play, the Rangers may be enticed to ship him out for a few more pieces. However, that would come down to both Grabner’s performance and the team’s place in the standings. I would hate to see Grabner leave after what he’s done, but depending on the haul, it could be well worth it.
Kevin Hayes
This is another far-fetched idea that I don’t like, but the idea has been swirling for a while. Kevin Hayes joined the Rangers as a college free agent before the 2014-2015 season. The 25-year-old center is currently slated as the team’s second line center, but that role may not be the best for him right now.
Hayes will be put in a role that he’s never had before next season. However, he impressed in his third year, following a disappointing sophomore campaign. While the signs point to Hayes being able to handle the bigger role, not all are fully convinced yet.
The real reason Hayes may be moved is his contract. Hayes signed a bridge deal worth $2.6 million against the cap before last season. When his contract runs out after this year, he is due a large raise.
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The real reason that matters is the other players who are also free agents and in need of a raise. J.T. Miller, Brady Skjei, and Jimmy Vesey are all restricted free agents at the same time as Hayes, and as of now, Hayes seems to be low on that pecking order. At the same time, Hayes is still a young, solid center who could be used in a package for a bonafide number one center for the Rangers.