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New York Rangers: The impact of the Jeff Skinner signing

By Steve Paulus

BUFFALO, NY - FEBRUARY 15: Jeff Skinner #53 of the Buffalo Sabres scores a goal during the second period of an NHL game against Alexandar Georgiev #40 of the New York Rangers on February 15, 2019 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Sara Schmidle/NHLI via Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - FEBRUARY 15: Jeff Skinner #53 of the Buffalo Sabres scores a goal during the second period of an NHL game against Alexandar Georgiev #40 of the New York Rangers on February 15, 2019 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Sara Schmidle/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 21: Kevin Shattenkirk #22 of the New York Rangers defends against Anders Lee #27 of the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden on November 21, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 21: Kevin Shattenkirk #22 of the New York Rangers defends against Anders Lee #27 of the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden on November 21, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Other free agents

With Skinner off the table, the number of elite unrestricted free agents is down to two.  Other than Panarin, Matt Duchene is the player expected to draw the most interest.

The top contenders for Duchene are expected to be Columbus (with that eighth year dangling) along with Nashville and Arizona.   The Rangers have really not been in the Duchene conversations and considering their depth at center, it’s not likely that they are prioritizing him.

If Panarin is lured by the tax free benefits of Florida to a reunion with Coach Q, it appears that the Rangers best bet in the free agent market is a young-ish depth forward at a more reasonable salary.

Signing soon to be 29-years old Anders Lee would accomplish two things, providing the team with some grit and leadership as well as hurting an arch-rival.  Micheal Ferland, 27,  brings a physical game and a goal-scoring touch.  Marcus Johansson. 28,  has raised his value with a solid playoff as a Boston rental.  Brett Connolly, 27,  of Washington can play either wing and is coming off a 22 goal season. The Capitals are in cap trouble and may have trouble keeping him.

As we all know, free agency is a free-for-all and players find themselves overpaid by desperate teams.  The Rangers would be much better suited to picking up a bargain depth forward.  In the case of Michael Grabner that was a home run, not so much when it came to players like David Desharnais, Josh Jooris, Brandon Pirri and Jarret Stoll.

Hmm…

If Panarin goes to Florida as many predict and and Duchene is destined  to end up elsewhere, the possibility grows that the Blueshirts will be in the running for Erik Karlsson.  If the team has budgeted over $10 million for a free agent (Panarin) and lose out, they may see the option of signing a game breaking all star who is one of the top five players at his position, to a long-term contract.

Karlsson just had groin surgery to repair the nagging injury that hampered him throughout the playoffs.   He is expected to be 100% by training camp.  While many Blueshirts fans are leery of a Karlsson marriage, his addition would accelerate the rebuild tenfold and could also start of a domino effect of transactions for the Rangers, considering their depth at defense.

It’s not so far fetched.

Related Story. The 2020 free agents and this year. light

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