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New York Rangers: Grading Jeff Gorton’s trades

By Steve Paulus

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 15: Referee Brad Watson shakes hands with Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers after working his final game at Madison Square Garden following the game against the Carolina Hurricanes on January 15, 2019 in New York City. The New York Rangers won 6-2. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 15: Referee Brad Watson shakes hands with Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers after working his final game at Madison Square Garden following the game against the Carolina Hurricanes on January 15, 2019 in New York City. The New York Rangers won 6-2. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 19: New York Rangers Defenceman Tony DeAngelo (77) looks to pass the puck up ice. 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 Defenceman Tony DeAngelo (77) looks to pass the puck up ice. 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) /

Grade C+

June 23, 2017 – Anthony DeAngelo and 2017 1st round pick for Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta
Trade Day Grade B:   Trending UP

Based on current production this deal rates an average grade, but the potential is for it to be graded much higher.  It’s trending up because of the play of Tony DeAngelo who, four years after being selected in the first round by Tampa, is finally living up to his promise.  Lias Andersson still oozes potential, but has been a disappointing 7th overall pick.  Arizona got their top goaltender in an injury prone Antti Raanta and solid leadership in Stepan, whose production has mirrored his years in New York.   If Andersson lives up to his promise and DeAngelo continues his fine play, this could become an “A.”

Grade C

February 26, 2018 -Vladislav Namestnikov, Libor Hajek, Brett Howden, 2018 1st round pick and  2019 conditional 2nd round pick from Tampa for Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller
Trade Day Grade B Minus:  Trending DOWN

This is another deal that won’t be fully assessed for years to come. Today, with the Lightning the favorites to win the Stanley Cup and McDonagh and Miller key contributors to that team, it is a win-win for Tampa.  All New York has to show for the deal is a scoring-impaired Vlad Namestnikov and a promising rookie in Howden.  In five years we will know more about Howden as well as prospects Hajek and first round pick Nils Lundkvist.  If the Lightning win the Cup, that second round pick becomes a first rounder and that could further enhance the value.

The argument is that the Rangers didn’t get enough at the time.  Some feel that they could have gotten a better prospect than Howden or even Mikhail Sergachev.  We’ll never know, but it will be Gorton’s legacy if Tampa wins it all and the bodies the Rangers got in exchange do not amount to much.

July 1, 2015 – Magnus Hellberg from Nashville for  2017 6th round pick
Trade Day Grade B:    No Trend

The Rangers needed depth in the minor league system and Gorton acquired Hellberg from Nashville.  He played two seasons in Hartford and got into three games with the Rangers. He is now playing in the KHL as teammate of the future Ranger Igor Shestyorkin.  He is one of the best goalies in the KHL so Gorton has to get credit for recognizing the talent, but with Henrik Lundqvist in his way, Hellberg had no chance of becoming an NHL regular.

January 8, 2016  – Nicklas Jensen from Vancouver for Emerson Etem
Trade Day Grade B:   No trend

Current grade: C  No trendThe best part of this deal was getting rid of Emerson Etem, who had come to the Rangers from Anaheim for Carl Hagelin.  Etem was a complete bust and Jensen was a Vancouver prospect who had not panned out.  Jensen had a solid season in Hartford, but was never able to crack the  Ranger lineup (he was scoreless in seven games).  He has played for Jokerit in the KHL for the last two seasons.  The Rangers still own his NHL rights.

October 21, 2017 – Ryan Sproul from Detroit for Matt Puempel
Trade Day Grade  C:  Trending DOWN

Ryan Sproul played 16 games for the post-deadline Rangers last season and totaled five points.  He wasn’t offered a contract as a  UFA this season and signed with the Hershey Bears. This trade warrants a C grade since Matt Puempel has yet to suit up for Detroit and is in the AHL.  Puempel is still in the Detroit organization and could see a call-up to the NHL.

November 30, 2017 – Peter Holland from Montreal for Adam Cracknell
Trade Day Grade C:  No Trend

The Rangers win this deal big time.  Peter Holland got into 23 games for the Rangers last season and this year he is one of the top scorers on the Hartford Wolf Pack.  Adam Cracknell was released by Montreal and recently surface with the Anaheim Ducks for one game. It’s still a “C” grade because Holland is not expected to see any ice time in New York this season.

February 26, 2018 – Chris Bigras from Colorado for Ryan Graves
Trade Day Grade C:  Trending DOWN

This was a minor deal involving two defensive prospects. It’s trending down because Chris Bigras has yet to make an impact in New York , while being a mainstay on the Wolf Pack defense.  Meanwhile, Ryan Graves made his debut this season in Colorado and has two goals in nine games (including one against the Rangers).   With the depth on the Ranger blueline, it remains to be seen if Bigras will see any action on Broadway.

January 14, 2019 – Connor Brickley from Nashville for Cole Schneider
Trade Day Grade C:   No Trend

This was another minor league deal made less than two weeks ago.  Cole Schneider is 28 and a career AHL player who has played in six NHL games.  Connor Brickley is 26 and has played in 67 games for the Florida Panthers.  While this is a trade to supplement AHL rosters, Brickley has the better upside than Schneider.

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