New York Rangers: Five unrestricted free agents to target

The New York Rangers are at a crucial point and there is much work to be done. While a lot of the attention has been on who the next head coach will be, as well as the draft, free agency also looms large as well.

This summer promises to be a busy one for the New York Rangers. General manager Jeff Gorton has to hire a new coach, work out a plan for the draft, and also look ahead to the beginning of free agency on July 1. The first of July is often an exciting day for Rangers fans, as the team usually brings in a big name, whether it be Kevin Shattenkirk, Marian Gaborik, or Brad Richards.

This July 1 could also prove to be exciting since the Rangers are flush with cap space. Now, this obviously doesn’t mean that Jeff Gorton should just go out and throw a bunch of money and term at every big-ticket free agent. Luckily, in Gorton’s time as GM, he has shown a propensity for smart signings, such as Michael Grabner. He even managed to bring in Shattenkirk, last year’s consensus number one UFA, at a discount.

This year should be no different. While it would be nice to bring in an elite talent in free agency, giving out absurd contracts to players in their late 20’s does not always tend to work out well. With that in mind, here are five free agents the Rangers may, and should, be looking at come July 1.

John Tavares

Now, I know what you’re all thinking; “John Tavares is the face of the Islanders, he’d never leave them to come to their biggest rival.” Well, never say never. If you throw enough money at somebody, they’ll most likely go anywhere you want them to.

Now, there is no denying that the Rangers signing Tavares is the longest of long shots. Still, Jeff Gorton would be foolish to not at least inquire. If they were to somehow ink him, the Rangers would instantly be getting a franchise changer. He is unquestionably a number one center, and one of the most talented players in the game.

If Tavares does indeed leave the Islanders and hits the open market, we could be in for a bidding war the likes of which we haven’t seen in years. Tavares is going to obviously command a long term deal, somewhere in the range of seven-eight years with an AAV of between $9-10 million.

While that is a great deal of money and term to commit to a single player, Tavares, at 27 years old, is in the prime of his career. Players of his caliber do not hit the open market very often. While he most likely will not be a New York Ranger come July 1, the organization needs to at least do their due diligence.

Ilya Kovalchuk

Of all the potential free agent targets on this list, Kovalchuk is the one that I most expect the Rangers to sign. He has been linked to the Rangers for a while, and back in April a report broke that he would be signing with the Rangers. Of course, Kovalchuk refuted the report, saying he hadn’t agreed to anything.

There may have been a reason for this; Kovalchuk was not yet 35 years old at the time of the report, and so could not officially negotiate with any NHL teams. Now, however, his 35th birthday has passed, and he has been free to negotiate.

Related: How Kovalchuk would fit in the Rangers’ lineup

He just posted back to back 30 goal seasons with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL and his shot is still lethal. If you shelter his minutes, start him primarily in the offensive zone and let him loose on the power play, he could very well be a 25+ goal scorer.

Kovalchuk is most likely going to want a two-three year deal worth around $5.5-6 million per year. While the money isn’t an issue, Jeff Gorton should be insistent on a two year deal, nothing more.

If the Rangers do happen to land Kovalchuk, they will be getting a player who, despite his age, is still talented and can shoot with the best of them.

James van Riemsdyk

James van Riemsdyk is another player that the New York Rangers could be targeting. A native of New Jersey, van Riemsdyk grew up a Rangers fan. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers, and after three years with them, he signed a contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he has spent the past six years.

van Riemsdyk just wrapped up a career year in the goal scoring department, lighting the lamp 36 times. He added 18 assists for a grand total of 54 points. He would be a nice winger who could easily slot into the top-six for the Rangers.

One issue with van Riemsdyk could be the contract. After posting back-to-back 50+ point seasons, he’s going to want a raise. A deal in the five-six year range around $6 million per seems about right. The Rangers may not want to give that deal to a player who just turned 29, whose best days are fast approaching the end.

But, if they decide they do want to pursue him, he would be a very nice addition to the team.

Rick Nash

While a Nash reunion on Broadway doesn’t seem all that likely, the Rangers should at least look into it. While it is true that, outside of 2015, Nash was never the elite goal scorer here that he was in Columbus, he was still a very talented forward who excelled in all three zones.

If the Rangers were to bring Nash back, it of course would be for substantially less than he previously made. A three-year deal in the $4-4.5 million range seems fair.

Nash would fit right back in in the top-six. He could be used to kill penalties, as an effective net front presence on the power play, and as a power forward, using his frame and strength to his advantage.

While Nash will be 34 by the time July 1 rolls around, and his concussion history is serious, it wouldn’t be a terrible option for the Blueshirts to bring him back. He can still play, and at the end of the day, that’s really all that matters.