New York Rangers: Five Players to Target on the Trade Market
The New York Rangers are known for making splashes around the trade deadline each year that they are in contention for the playoffs. Who are some of the potential trade deadline candidates that the Rangers could target?
Last season the New York Rangers went out and acquired Brendan Smith from the Detroit Red Wings at the trade deadline. The year before that, the Rangers went out an acquired Eric Staal from the Carolina Hurricanes.
The list of rentals acquired at trade deadline by the Rangers could go on and on from years past. However, I don’t want to get to Olli Jokinen, so I’m going to stop it there.
Let’s take a peak at players currently on the last year of their contracts. Who could the Rangers look at this season come February 26, 2018?
Matt Duchene –
The Rangers are weak down the middle Matt Duchene would be a perfect fit. It is also no secret that Duchene’s relationship with the Colorado Avalanche is shaky right now.
After a summer of trade rumors swirling around Duchene’s head, it took a toll on him, as it would on any player. Colorado’s General Manager, Joe Sakic has been asking for a steep price from teams to acquire Duchene and teams haven’t taken the bait yet.
Duchene is set to enter his final year of his contract next season and it becomes more likely that Duchene won’t sign an extension with the Avalanche. The 26-year-old center’s value will only continue to diminish as time passes. The Avalanche won’t want to lose Duchene for nothing after next year so they will need to deal him eventually.
If they move Duchene at this season’s deadline, it will give the team more time to sign him to an extension thus having more value. Sakic needs to move Duchene this season so they don’t just lose him for nothing.
James Neal –
This could be said for almost any of the Vegas Golden Knights are are coming up to the end of their contracts. James Neal, however, is the shiny toy in Vegas and they will look to get the most in return for his services.
I wouldn’t be purchasing a James Neal jersey if I was a Golden Knights fan. James Neal should be gone at the deadline unless a contract extension is reached. Neal has had a hot start to the season for the Golden Knights.
Neal has three goals in two games so far this season and is emerging as the leader on this expansion team. The 30-year-old winger would be a nice fit into the Rangers lineup making a push towards another Stanley Cup run.
Mike Cammalleri –
After Mike Cammalleri was bought out by the New Jersey Devils this past summer, he was on the free agent market. Cammalleri signed a generous one-year, $1 million contract to return to Los Angeles where he started his career.
Depending on how the Los Angeles Kings perform during the first half of the season, Cammalleri may be a nice rental piece for other teams looking. With his contract ending at the end of this season, the Rangers could make something happen.
The 35-year-old center could help the Rangers exactly where they are the weakest. He could plug in the bottom six and bring some veteran leadership to the team looking to win the Stanley Cup. Several teams will be calling Los Angeles come the trade deadline if they become sellers this year.
Evander Kane –
Evander Kane is in the final year of his six-year contract. He is arguably the Buffalo Sabres best piece to make a trade and bring back some pieces. The Sabres aren’t going to want to let Kane walk for nothing so they will be active at the deadline.
Kane is off to a tremendous start this season with four goals and two assists in just three games. It is no secret that he is a main focal point in the Sabres lineup. If they are sellers at the deadline, they might need to move Kane.
Kane’s speed and size coming off a 28-goal season is rental heaven for the Sabres. The 26-year-old winger would help the Rangers add more size, speed and offensive ability. It wouldn’t shock me if the Rangers front office didn’t at least kick tires on Kane.
Drew Stafford –
Now this one is doubtful to happen because of trade history, or lack thereof, with the two rivals. Drew Stafford’s contract is a generous one though and doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be a good fit for the Rangers.
Stafford is on a one-year, $800k contract and with the Devils still rebuilding, they could look to deal Stafford. The former first-round pick will be looking to bounce back after an injury riddled season with the Boston Bruins.
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Stafford could bring a veteran leadership to the Rangers lineup and would fit in on the bottom six. He also shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg either with his injury history which would help in not blowing up the farm for a rental. I wouldn’t hold my breath on this happening though given the rivalry between the two teams.