New York Rangers: Five moves that could have been

MONTREAL, QC - APRIL 12: Head coach of the New York Rangers Alain Vigneault speaks to the media prior to Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round between the Montreal Canadiens and the New York Rangers during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on April 12, 2017 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

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ST. LOUIS, MO – APRIL 19: Martin Hanzal /

Martin Hanzal

Martin Hanzal signed with the Dallas Stars in July. The 30-year-old center played most of his career with the Arizona Coyotes after being drafted 17th overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. The Coyotes dealt him at the deadline to the Minnesota Wild for a handful of draft picks. With Minnesota, Hanzal helped push the team into the playoffs.

On his career, Hanzal has appeared in 628 games, potting 121 goals and 205 assists for 326 points. Hanzal has been nothing if not consistent, bouncing between 40 point seasons with dismal 20 point seasons. His best year came in 2015-2016, where he had 41 points over 13 goals and 28 assists.

Hanzal signed with the Stars on a three year, $14.25 million deal that’s worth $4.75 million per season. The overpay here is what will eventually kill the Stars, but a three year deal is manageable enough for a team that’s looking to win now.

With the Rangers, Hanzal would easily slot into the third line center position, and possibly even the second. Hanzal is a top-nine player, for sure, but his lack of consistency and ability may have limited him to bottom-six play. The Rangers may have dodged a bullet not signing Hanzal, but it’d still be nice to have an extra center.

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