New York Rangers: The only way that a Tavares signing makes sense
The New York Rangers are expected to pursue the best free agent on the market this summer. However, there is only one scenario where the signing makes sense for them going forward.
New York Islanders superstar center John Tavares is getting ready to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Mississauga, Ontario native has a really strong resume. He is a five-time all star, a Calder Trophy winner and has been a finalist for the Hart Trophy twice.
He has been one of the few bright spots for an Islanders organization that does everything wrong. Tavares has tallied at least 66 points in every 82 game season other than his rookie year. He has even notched three 80 point seasons and is a bonafide top ten center in the league.
Without question, he will be the best unrestricted free agent come July 1. He could undoubtedly help any of the league’s 31 teams.
But for a rebuilding team like the New York Rangers, does it make any sense to bring him in?
The answer is no, unless the front office plans to do something drastic.
Tavares is expected to command $9-$10 million per season on the open market. For a rebuilding team that only has depth at center, it would be a weird allocation of money to one position.
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The only way bringing in Tavares makes sense is they opt to trade one of Mika Zibanejad or Kevin Hayes in a package to a acquire a top pair defender.
Zibanejad is under contract for another four years at $5.3 million annually and Hayes, a restricted free agent with one year remaining before turning unrestricted, will cost the team about $4.5 a year on a long term deal.
Having Zibanejad, Hayes and Tavares under contract will cost the team about $20 million a year. That makes no sense from a cap standpoint especially when they have four other centers on the roster (Vladislav Namestnikov, Ryan Spooner, Filip Chytil and Lias Andersson) and two others waiting in the wings (Brett Howden and Boo Nieves).
If the Rangers were to trade, say, Zibanejad, a mid-level prospect and one of their late first rounders to Calgary for Dougie Hamilton, then that’s a different story. Because then you’d have a defense of Hamilton, Kevin Shattenkirk, Brady Skjei, Neal Pionk and maybe the ninth overall pick and/or a free agent signing. That would be a defense capable of contending in the right system.
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Tavares would fill the superstar void that the Rangers have had upfront for year. But even still, they will likely need to pay him that $9-$10 million until he is in his late 30’s. That, to me, just doesn’t seem like a smart investment for a rebuilding squad.
But if the Rangers pivot their expectations for the 18-19 season and beyond, than it could make sense.