The New York Rangers started to address their rebuild at the trade deadline this season. They moved some great Rangers and added some brilliant young talent. However, too many of the players added are centers, and this may become a problem.
The New York Rangers are an organization in flux. For the past thirteen years or so, the Rangers have been playoff contenders. This season is the first in what could be a lengthy rebuild.
Just before the trade deadline, the Rangers’ brass released a letter of apology and explanation to the fans. At the deadline, general manager Jeff Gorton fulfilled his promise, dealing most of the team’s coming unrestricted free agents. In these deals, Gorton added a ton of young talent, however; most of the roster players added are centers and upcoming restricted free agents. This will become a problem this coming offseason.
The Returning Cast
The Rangers already had a plethora of centers lineup to play next season with the Rangers. Before addressing the newcomers, the organization has to deal with those already with the club. There are three centers with the Rangers that look to return and two high-quality prospects who look to the make the jump.
The primary center in this is Mika Zibanejad. Signed to a long-term deal following his trade to the Rangers, Zibanejad has been the Rangers’ top line center this season. His spot is undoubtedly secure as the 24-year-old Swede still has four years remaining on his deal.
Kevin Hayes is the first restricted free agent of the centers. The 25-year-old is on a bridge deal and looks to get a hefty raise after yet another strong two-way season. He headlines the restricted free agents in line for a raise.
Cristoval “Boo” Nieves is a potential fourth-line center candidate who has been up and down for the past few seasons. He hasn’t made an impact to stick with the Rangers and is a restricted free agent this summer.
The Rangers have two touted prospects in Lias Andersson, drafted number seven in 2017, and Filip Chytil, drafted 21st in the same draft, excelling for Hartford right now. Both look prepared to make the jump to the NHL next season, and both are centers. That in itself is a logjam. Now, for the newcomers.
The Newcomers
At the trade deadline, the Rangers made two major trades that included roster players. They dealt Rick Nash to Boston with Ryan Spooner coming the other way, and Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller were sent to Tampa with Vladislav Namestnikov as part of the package. Both of them are centers and both will be restricted free agents this summer.
Ryan Spooner has certainly made his case to the Rangers so far. As of writing (3/17, pre-St.Louis game), Spooner has two goals and 11 assists in just nine games for the Rangers. He has impressed with his two-way game mixed with some obvious passing skill.
Vladislav Namestnikov has shown his potential but hasn’t produced to the same level that Spooner has. Through eight games with the Rangers, Namestnikov only has two goals and an assist for three points. He has really shone with his speed and quick gelling with teammates.
In terms of other prospects, Brett Howden, one of the pieces from the Tampa Bay trade, is also a center. However, the 19-year-old still plays in junior hockey.
The Verdict
Even though it may seem like a good problem to have, it is still a problem. The Rangers simply have too many centers. Not to mention the fact that a fair few of them are restricted free agents this summer.
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There are a few ways to solve the problem at hand. The Rangers could sign all of the free agents and try to shift a few to the wing. While that is a fine idea, especially with the amount of talent that was moved to acquire these players, the better idea is to move one of them at the draft, where teams may be willing to overpay.