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New York Rangers: How to become a contender again

By Steve Paulus

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 19: New York Rangers Winger Filip Chytil (72) and New York Rangers Defenceman Tony DeAngelo (77) gets congratulations from the bench on their lines goal. During the New York Rangers game against the Boston Bruins on January 19, 2019 at TD Garden in Boston, MA. (Photo by Michael Tureski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 19: New York Rangers Winger Filip Chytil (72) and New York Rangers Defenceman Tony DeAngelo (77) gets congratulations from the bench on their lines goal. During the New York Rangers game against the Boston Bruins on January 19, 2019 at TD Garden in Boston, MA. (Photo by Michael Tureski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 27: Artemi Panarin #9 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on December 27, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 27: Artemi Panarin #9 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on December 27, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Sign Artemi Panarin

I made the argument for trying to sign Auston Matthews to an offer sheet.  That strategy would still work, but knowing that NHL clubs are loathe to do that, the assumption has to be that an offer sheet is a non-starter.  I’d also argue that an offer sheet matched by Toronto could lead to another offer sheet to Mitch Marner that they would be hard pressed to match.   But, both scenarios are not likely.

In that case, there is one top 20 NHL forward available thru free agency who would be a perfect fit for the Rangers and that is Artemi Panarin.  He has allegedly made it known that he wants to play in New York (why are all Russians linked to the Rangers? See Ilya Kovalchuk). If that is true, that gives the Rangers an advantage they should use.

He is a proven scorer with speed and is a clutch game changing forward. He is a point-a-game player who has proved that he can handle trades and big markets.  He leads the league in overtime goals and is second in game winning goals.  He’s a top three draft pick waiting to be signed and all it will take is money.

The Rangers need to break the bank for him.  If he doesn’t re-sign before the deadline with Columbus, let the full court press begin.

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