New York Rangers: A definitive ranking of the restricted free agents
The New York Rangers have a lot of decisions to make this offseason with seven of the active players on their roster this past season entering into restricted free agency.
Some of the New York Rangers’ upcoming restricted free agents have established themselves as key players to the identity of the roster. Others came to the team this season, either via trade or were promoted from Hartford and made an impact.
With so many options, the Rangers have important decisions to make during the offseason as they work to start to build a new identity on their roster. It is vital for management to establish an approach that will put them in a position where they know what they need on the day of the draft. This means that right now, they will have to determine which assets will be most important to the future as they move forward.
With head coach Alain Vigneault getting the axe, Jeff Gorton probably has an idea of what this future looks like. In his comments to the media in his presser on April 9, however, it seems he is far from finished.
With this in mind, it will be interesting to see what players Gorton decides are most important, and moreso, what options he can consider as he looks to move assets.
Here is our analysis of the active players on the roster and which we think are most important to hang on to.
7. Rob O’Gara
Defenseman Rob O’Gara came to New York after a deal at the trade deadline sent Nick Holden to the Boston Bruins.
O’Gara had little impact in the 30 games he appeared in late this season. The 24-year-old is a decent skater but he showed a lack of vision in transition and displayed questionable positioning on the defensive end in a majority of his appearances.
He had three assists (two primary) in these 30 games and registered a Corsi-for just over 40. That is a pretty dismal number for someone who spent time as a part of the second defensive pair.
Perhaps this is in part due being a newcomer on the roster and perhaps with the right partner, O’Gara could be a more effective player. However, if the Rangers are looking to add depth on the defensive end, O’Gara is someone who will require a good deal of attention to be successful.
6. Jimmy Vesey
Jimmy Vesey has been a solid player when deployed in a bottom six position on the New York Rangers roster. Vesey joined the Rangers during the 2016-17 season, as he exercised his free agency rights after college and signed an entry-level contract in New York.
Vesey is a gritty forward who has the ability to make plays in transition and under pressure in the zone. However, Vesey also has shortcomings. After a solid first season, he had an as-successful second season.
Vesey narrowly surpassed his numbers during his first season, recording 17 goals and 11 assists for 28 points. However, hit other milestones as he recorded the first hat trick of his career against the Carolina Hurricanes on March 12.
The play that he has put out on the ice leads to question about how much more he has to give. Vesey is a good hockey player when he’s used properly, but it seems that his ceiling may not be all that high.
Vesey is good in the role that he serves, but someone more dynamic who can fit the same role may be a better option for the Rangers right now.
With all this being said, the Rangers should consider exploring to see if they can generate any interest in Vesey.
5. John Gilmour
John Gilmour was a great addition to the roster upon his promotion from the Hartford Wolf Pack in the latter half of the Rangers’ season.
Gilmour has great skating ability and good hockey sense. He is especially good in transition and shows good knowledge of how to handle the puck in all three zones.
He recorded two goals and three assists in the 28 games he played with the New York Rangers this season. Gilmour showed even more of his offensive abilities in his time with the Hartford Wolf Pack. He recorded six goals and 20 assists for 26 points in 44 games. He has a sneaky good shot that often surprises the competition.
If given the proper treatment in his coming development, he is someone who could be an extremely valuable offensive defenseman.
A talent like Gilmour is important for the Rangers to have at their disposal — he has the skill to be a truly impactful player. However, they need to make sure they have the right staff to help improve the weak areas of his game many of which came in the defensive end.
4. Vladislav Namestnikov
Vladislav Namestnikov came to New York in the trade for J.T. Miller and Ryan McDonagh. Many say that acquiring Namestnikov and dealing Miller was basically a wash, but Namestnikov brings more skill to the table.
In the 19 games he played for the Rangers, his numbers were not all that impressive. Namestnikov recorded just two goals and two assists in his time. This is likely due to the fact that he was not given the opportunity play his best game. Alain Vigneault buried both him and Pavel Buchnevich on the fourth line, at times playing them with Cody McLeod.
It would be great to see Namestnikov get the chance he deserves. There is no doubt that he would be a great fit for the Rangers roster.
However, the young forward is also someone who could bring back good return on the market. He was successful in his time with Tampa Bay, and at this point has not established himself as an essential player in New York.
The question is, do the Rangers see him as a part of their future? Is he someone that would be essential to the Rangers as they start to lay the building blocks for the next era?
If the answer is no, it may be best to see what they can get if he walks.
3. Ryan Spooner
Ryan Spooner was one of the most surprising players to join the Rangers roster at the deadline this season. His playmaking ability made a big impact in the 20 games he played for the New York Rangers, recording four goals and12 assists for 16 points over this span.
In his near seamless transition on to the roster, Spooner proved he would be a great addition to the Rangers next season. He is the strong, skilled playmaking forward that the Rangers desperately needed.
His playing style encourages those around him to look to move the puck too. Specifically, he and Kevin Hayes jived well together, having complementary skill, vision and ability.
However, Spooner also has the potential to generate some good return on the market, especially considering the way he played at the end of the 2017-18 season.
Again, the Rangers will have to determine how much they can see Spooner as a piece in the future. Based on what we saw from him, he definitely has a shot to be back on the roster next year.
2. Kevin Hayes
Kevin Hayes is one of the most important players the Rangers currently have on their roster.
Hayes put up another solid season with the Rangers, recording a career-high 25 goals and a respectable 19 assists for 44 points this season.
In just his fourth season for the Rangers, he established himself as one of the most dangerous point generators on the roster. He just needs the opportunity to use the full breadth of his skill.
Vigneault and the 25-year-old center had a complicated relationship. Vigneault benched Hayes for a good portion of his second season, and yet Hayes still managed to maintain his numbers.
Coming into the 2016-17 season, there was an evident jump to Hayes’s game after he lost 25 pounds in the offseason. More and more, there were signs of just how much talent Hayes had.
However, Vigneault severely misused him, forcing him to play as a defensive-minded forward in the latter half of the season.
This year was a much better representation of how Hayes should be played. But he still started 57.3 percent of shifts in the defensive zone. He should be taking face offs in the offensive zone because while he is a solid two-way player, his true ability lies on the offensive end of the ice.
His goal totals sky-rocketed in the second half of the season, and he proved that this should be what he is put on the ice to do.
The Rangers need to focus their attention on extending Hayes. He has continued to progress despite the unusual roles he has played in. In doing so, he has proven that once he’s given the chance, he will be one of the most successful forwards on the team.
The bottom line is that Hayes will be a key piece to the Rangers’ success in years to come.
1. Brady Skjei
I know what you’re going to say… something like “Brady had a bad season numbers-wise, why is he number one on your list?”
Well, first and foremost, it’s because he’s number one in my heart.
But Skjei has also shown that he is key to the identity of the team.
Like Hayes is a forward the Rangers should build around, Skjei is a defenseman they should build around.
Maybe THE defenseman.
As the defensive roster stood at the end of the season, there were three players who had more than a year’s experience in the NHL — Kevin Shattenkirk, Marc Staal and Skjei.
Because of his age, Shattenkirk is not the defenseman the Rangers will build their future around. Marc Staal is hopefully off the roster by July 1st. And — THANK GOD — that leaves you with Skjei.
Skjei is mature beyond his years in both the way he plays and the way he acts. He is responsible and reliable but is not afraid to step up and play the offensive zone. While he struggled to find his game this season, there are many factors that impacted his play.
If given the opportunity to play with a consistent defensive partner, a more clearly defined role, and a chance to put his skills to use in a system that encourages defensive participation, there is no doubt Skjei would thrive.
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With a new coach on the way, this is something that could become a reality.
Skjei is someone the Rangers should be looking to lock down long-term, because he has the potential to have a huge impact on their bright future.