New York Rangers: Five takeaways from the Stanley Cup Playoffs (so far)

#5 – Free agents show their real stuff in the playoffs

Hopefully, the Rangers learned a lot from the playoff performances by some key free agents.

Kevin Hayes had an undistinguished series for the Winnipeg Jets. In six games he scored two goals and had one assist.  Perhaps more telling was his ice time. He played as many as 15 minutes in only two games and played only 8:32 in Game Two when the Jets shortened their bench.  On a team loaded with offensive firepower, Hayes was definitely not a go-to guy.

Maybe he was was an important offensive cog for the Rangers, but on a playoff team, he was a third line center.  Even more so, Hayes career post-season numbers are not overwhelming.  In 40 playoff game he has four goals and nine assists.  The Rangers may want to think twice about a return to Broadway as has been rumored.

Marquee free agent Matt Duschene had his first taste of playoff experience in six years and  led Columbus with  three goals and four assists in their series sweep.   Artemi Panarin notched two goals and five points in four games.  He has has always been an outstanding playoff performer with 20 points in 21 career playoff games.  If Duschene and Panarin continue to excel, it will only drive their price up.

There’s one future free agent who is performing just as the Rangers expected.  Mats Zuccarello scored three goals in Dallas’ six game series win over Nashville.  I’ve said it before, if he is willing to do a short-term deal to come back to New York, as a mentor and spiritual leader, the Rangers could do worse.

On the blueline, it’s worth keeping an eye on UFA Colorado defenseman Patrik Nemeth.  He’s a big bodied 26-year old Swedish defenseman who could fill a role as a stay at home backliner.  On the list of teams eliminated, Jets defenseman Ben Chiarot, 27,  is also a free agent and is another big, strong blueliner. If the Rangers are looking to bolster their defense both players did nothing to harm their value in the free agent marketplace with their playoff performances.

The playoffs have reverted to competitive form and we can look forward to three seventh games in the next two days.  Meanwhile, five teams are playing golf and  five team are awaiting their next opponents.  For the Rangers, there will be more lessons to be learned.