New York Rangers should consider giving Dominic Moore a tryout
By Dan Carrozzi
The New York Rangers will bring in a few players on Professional Try-outs to round out their training camp roster. We’ll take a look at one candidate in the familiar face of Dominic Moore.
The New York Rangers, as many NHL teams do, are expected to sign a number of players prior to training camp to serve as ‘camp bodies’. The past few seasons have seen the likes of Bobby Farnham, Maxim Lapierre and Andrew Desjardins sign Professional Try-outs or (PTO) contracts with the team. None of them would go on to play an NHL game with the Rangers.
However, occasionally a player brought in on a PTO does make the team out of training camp. The number of young players may lead to the Rangers signing a veteran after out of their PTO.
While on the surface, the Rangers are bursting with center depth, they lack a true defensive fourth line center, except perhaps for Boo Nieves. This is also a young team that could use some more veteran leadership.
One player that fits the bill in both respects is an old fan favorite, Dominic Moore.
Ode to Former Ranger Dominic Moore. light. Remember When
2017-18 in review
Dominic Moore signed a one year, $1 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on the opening day of free agency. Like the Rangers, the Leafs were an up-and-coming, young team, albeit a little further along in their rebuild.
Similar to his role during his last stint with the Rangers, Moore was the fourth line, defensive center. He also played an average of 1:14 TOI per game on the penalty kill.
Moore went on to play 50 games with the Leafs, tallying six goals and 12 points overall. He only played two games of the Leafs brief playoff run, scoring no points.
Keep in mind that this is not the same Dominic Moore who eliminated the Montreal Canadiens in 2014, he will be 38 when the season starts.
Furthermore, his underlying numbers are still solid for a fourth line center but are not extraordinary.
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Where he fits in with the Rangers
As mentioned above, Moore would fill his previous roles as fourth line center and penalty killer. At his age, he won’t be expected to play the full season either.
His presence on the fourth line will allow the kids to have more favorable zone starts. Additionally, the more defensively-oriented centers like Nieves and Lias Andersson will be able to pick Moore’s brain about how he’s been able to have success over a long NHL career.
By playing on the penalty kill, Moore will allow the more offensively-oriented Kevin Hayes and Mika Zibanejad to play more minutes five on five and on the powerplay. That duo were the team’s top two shorthanded TOI leaders among centers last season.
In addition, Moore will provide guidance and leadership to the entire team, not just the centers. As a longtime veteran of nearly 900 NHL games, he will be able to teach the youngsters how to play and live as a professional hockey player.
Furthermore, as a Rangers alumnus he’ll be able to relay what it means to be a Ranger and live in New York. His familiarity with the organization, especially with the front office, will also help to convey their expectations upon the kids as both players and people.
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The Rangers should set up a reunion with Dominic Moore, even if it is only for a PTO that runs the duration of training camp. Should they decide he deserves a spot on the team, he can be brought in for not much more than league minimum salary, regardless, the Rangers have salary cap to spare.