Former Ranger Brian Boyle was trade to the Nashville Predators by the New Jersey Devils. The deal helps provide a look into the potential return for several New York Rangers rumored to be on the market.
Brian Boyle was set to become an unrestricted free agent, so his trade is no surprise. New Jersey gets a second round pick in the June NHL Entry Draft. The trade was first announced by Bob McKenzie via Twitter.
NSH and NJ working to finalize a trade to send Brian Boyle from the Devils to the Predators.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 6, 2019
With the Rangers rebuilding, this deadline is to be another selling year, similar to last season. This trade shows what possible returns the Rangers could get for a few specific players and how it can affect the team as a whole.
Kevin Hayes
Hayes is one of the several potential players that the Rangers could be trading at this year’s deadline. Brian Boyle is a center like Hayes, but does not have the same offensive upside. If a fourth line center was worth a second round pick then what is Hayes worth?
With the market value set by the Boyle trade, it is a lock that Hayes is worth a first round pick at a minimum. Hayes, is having a phenomenal year so far, so he gives the Rangers the chance to get a nice return for him. If Hayes only gets the Rangers a first round pick fans should be disappointed.
A piece that teams typically add to trades are prospects. In a potential Hayes trade, besides a first round pick, the Rangers should be able to get a grade A prospect. An example of a grade A prospect that is currently with the Rangers is Brett Howden, who was included in the trade that sent Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a first round pick, Vladislav Namestnikov, Howden and a conditional second round pick.
Mats Zuccarello
Mats Zuccarello is another player that may be traded come the deadline, based on his expiring contract. This season started off rough for Zuccarello, in his first 30 games he only had 15 points. Although, recently he has heated it up with 14 points in eight games.
The Boyle trade impacts Zuccarello’s trade value significantly. Boyle has 13 goals and 19 points in 47 games. Zucarello has nine goals and 29 points in only 28 games. Based on the Boyle deal, Zuccarello, could potentially be worth a first round pick and a low level prospect. At the minimum, Zuccarello should be worth a second round pick and decent prospect.
Some examples of low level prospects are players typically drafted in later round of the draft or are not drafted. A few players that are similar to this are some players on the Hartford Wolf Pack, Rangers AHL affiliate team, like Steven Fogarty who was drafted in the 3rd round in 2011 or Rob O’Gara who was acquired from the Boston Bruins last season at the deadline in the Nick Holden deal.