New York Rangers: Breakdown of pending RFAs

The New York Rangers have a handful of young players that they will have to decide what to do with before the trade deadline on July 1st.

With the New York Rangers looking to be as competitive as possible in the next few seasons, there is a good deal of uncertainty that lies in many of the current roster players, especially those with expiring contracts.

It has been suggested that management might try to go after an elite player like Artemi Panarin or Erik Karlsson in an effort to bolster the offense or to begin to round out the defensive depth.

This off-season, there are five players who spent consistent time on the roster that may be put on the block. Management has made it clear that they are looking to make moves that they think will benefit the team the most down the line.

With big names like these on the table, there is almost no one that is untouchable. We break down what may lie in the fates of these players on or before July 1.

Goners: Fredrik Claesson

The Rangers picked up Freddie Claesson as an unrestricted free agent last July, and he was a great addition to the roster during the 2018-19 season for the Rangers. Claesson ended up being one of the Rangers defensemen with the most consistent numbers on the roster.

Claesson is a great depth player, and with what he showed this season – in his ability to step into a brand new roster and make an impact – he is a great option for any team that is looking for solid depth defensemen.

It is highly likely that Claesson would go as part of a larger deal, as the Rangers will have to look to dump as many burdensome contracts as possible in order to create space for not just the free agents they want to sign, but for a few roster players as well.

One stays, one goes (most likely): Neal Pionk & Tony DeAngelo

There has been a good deal of debate over Neal Pionk and Tony DeAngelo since they were put on display briefly last season.

Both have broken onto franchise lists in their first appearances and in first full seasons with some pretty big names. Pionk was the first Rangers rookie defenseman to tally at least 10 assists in a 10 game span since Brian Leetch in 1988-89 in March of last year.  In addition, DeAngelo became the 6th NHL defensemen to record 30 points in a season over the last 30 seasons joining Leetch, Sergei Zubov, Michael Del Zotto, Ryan McDonagh, and Brady Skjei.

Each has also finished this season atop rookie lists in the NHL this season. In March 2019, Pionk ranked 7th among all NHL defensemen in their first or second season in points (with 23). DeAngelo ranked 12th among NHL defensemen 23-years-old or younger in points (30) in 2018-19.

Coming into the season, it seemed Pionk had more potential to become an NHL staple. He had a fantastic outing at Worlds and won a bronze medal with Team USA in Denmark in the offseason.

While Pionk averaged the second highest time on ice in the 2018-19 season, his play on the defensive end was dreadful.

Meanwhile, DeAngelo thrived when given the opportunity this year. However, his attitude landed him on the bench from time to time this season (and it seems he didn’t really get the message).

What complicates the matter more is the addition of Adam Fox. The Rangers, who were near desperate for players on the right side last year, now are log jammed.

While having options is a great problem to have, it creates uncertainty when it comes to the fate of these two players (and perhaps even more so for Kevin Shattenkirk).

Do the Rangers value what these players have shown enough to offer them longer term contracts? Is the regression seen in Pionk’s play something that becomes a permanent problem? Is DeAngelo mature enough to overcome the attitude issues he’s been known for throughout his entire career? Do the Rangers want to invest the time and the money to try to turn these players around?

This will determine who stays and who goes. While I think one may end up staying, I have enough faith in the work that Jeff Gorton has done so far to say that if he feels the return is worth it, he should go ahead and trade both.

Bridge: Brendan Lemieux

Brendan Lemieux joined the Rangers for the final 19 games of the regular season and made a big impact. In his short time on the left wing, Lemieux recorded three goals and three assists for six points. Averaging the most time on ice of his career in his time with the Rangers, Lemieux managed to add a strong, physical presence without sacrificing ability on the offensive end.

Hitting at just above a million dollars AVV in salary last season (which the Rangers did not pay all of), seeing if Lemieux would agree to a similar contract for a few more years in New York might be a good move for Gorton to make.

Based on the short time Lemieux spent under David Quinn, it seemed that Quinn was the right coach for the type of player he is. And the Rangers roster needs a pest like him in their bottom six.

Both parties would benefit to see where a year or two would land Lemieux. An affordable option, they could decide what the next move is from there.

Longer term extension: Pavel Buchnevich

Some have argued that since Pavel Buchnevich has not had a “break out” season, a bridge deal may be the best option. However, having watched Buchnevich from day one, it would be in the Rangers best interest to sign him to a slightly longer term deal while he is inexpensive before they choose to extend him longer term.

Buchnevich is still young and was misused by Alain Vigneault in his first few years on the roster, spending absurd amounts of time on the fourth line.

He missed 18 games this season but managed 38 points in 64 games. In a couple of these instances, Buchnevich was a healthy scratch by choice of David Quinn — who advocates for holding players accountable.

If Gorton is smart, he will realize the value in what Buchnevich contributed to the team in the small windows of opportunity he has had in his time on the Rangers. He will take into account the impact he has made and the potential that he has and lock the forward down for longer than a bridge deal.

A deal similar to the one that Miles Wood signed with the Devils in September would be perfect.

A $2.5 million dollar AVV deal over four years gives Buchnevich the opportunity to feel as if he is a valued part of the franchise.

When he begins producing to the level he is capable it will be a bargain for Jeff Gorton.