New York Rangers: Top ten free agency targets of 2021
With the start of the 2019 free agency nearly here, the New York Rangers still have a number of questions ahead of them.
Should the New York Rangers be going after Artemi Panarin? Should Jimmy Vesey be shopped? Should Chris Kreider be handled like Mats Zuccarello? Is Kevin Shattenkirk a goner? Does anyone at all want Marc Staal? Will the Rangers be contenders as soon as next season or will it be another year or two?
On paper the rebuild is ahead of schedule. Adding Kaapo Kakko, Jacob Trouba, Adam Fox and the slew of other young players has the future looking brighter by the day. However, that doesn’t mean that young core will be ready any time soon.
Historically, we have seen other franchises rush their top-tier prospects to the show and watch as they fall short. Talented players like Gilbert Brule, Nail Yakupov, Alex Burmistrov and maybe even Nolan Patrick all failed to meet expectations due to poor development.
If the Rangers don’t believe that Kakko, Vitali Kravtsov, Fox and K’Andre Miller are prepared to make the leap, then investing money this offseason could be a mistake. The most likely elite player on the table is Artemi Panarin, but his offense can’t fix the team’s issues on the backend. Until the Rangers get rid of three of the four ‘S’s’ on the blue line and find Henrik Lundqvist‘s official replacement, any and all free agents will be nothing but a band-aid.
The future is the answer in more ways than one. Looking ahead, in two years time, all of the cumbersome cap burdens will be no more. Kevin Shattenkirk, Marc Staal, Brendan Smith and Lundqvist’s $8.5 million severance package will all be off the books.$25.2 million will be freed up.
The RFA’s that will be coming off of their entry-level deals will have time to earn an extension (or not). Mika Zibanejad will still be signed for another season. It’s assumed that Jacob Trouba will be here for the long haul and will only be 27 years old. Most importantly, the young talent will be ready. The New York Rangers will then be able to hit free agency knowing what the team is missing, instead of looking for players to build around. There’s a big difference between the two.
Back to the future, here are ten players the New York Rangers should pursue in 2021.
10. Alexander Ovechkin (LW)
Let’s talk nonsense a moment. The chances of this happening are slim to none and would leave a lot of people scratching their heads, but the fact of the matter is the ‘Great 8’ could become a free agent in 2021. At the ripe old-age of 36, Alexander Ovechkin could still be a valuable asset to act as a mentor and power play specialist. His legs are already falling out beneath him, but that shot from the half-wall is all technique and forever lethal.
I imagine this signing would be similar to the Patrick Marleau scenario in Toronto. The Rangers roster could be predominantly Russian by this point and Ovechkin could act as a surrogate, track-suit wearing, отец figure. For those that don’t speak Russian, отец means father. Now, you can say you learned something today.
If Ovechkin comes within striking distance of Wayne Gretzky‘s goal-record, hasn’t hung up his skates just yet, the Capitals don’t want to bring him back and the price is right, the Rangers could find his talents useful.
9. Nick Bjugstad (C, RW)
This would be a conversation of need. If the Rangers find themselves deep down the middle, I don’t see this signing happening. However, if the team is looking for a bonafide third-line center or a versatile forward who has the capability of switching to the right wing, Bjugstad is the guy.
The Rangers have always been weak in the center position. At 6’6″, Bjugstad would be able to play that Brian Boyle role, but with far more natural talent. He’s shown glimpses of potential, but has yet to round out his game. Health and consistency are the two major things standing in his way from becoming a real problem to opponents.
If Bjugstad still can’t put his game together in Pittsburgh, he could come as a bargain and could breakout in the Big Apple, much like Derick Brassard.
8. Tomas Tatar (LW,RW)
There’s no question he’s talented. Watching him play, you see Tomas Tatar do a lot of little things that go unnoticed, much like Carl Hagelin. However, Tatar is expected and paid to be more than just a speedy wing.
He’ll be 30 in 2021 and could be the type of consistent player Vegas traded for just before their cup run in 2018. Vegas traded a first, second and third round pick for Tomas Tatar. They believed his talent could get them over the edge, but due to his lack of performance (4-2-6 in 20), Tatar was a healthy scratch for the majority of the playoffs.
Luckily, Tomas Tatar appears to have bounced back in a big way in Montreal with 58 points, the most in his career, this past season. Tatar could play a similar role to that of Mats Zuccarello or Marcus Johansson in Boston.
7. Jaden Schwartz (LW)
Skill on skill on skill. Jaden Schwartz is a dynamic player who has flown under the radar for a good while. The Stanley Cup finals this year introduced a good many to a very good player. A left-winger, Schwartz can play on either a first or second line comfortably.
Where Jaden Schwartz shines is his ability to find open-ice around the net. His natural ability to find space is something you just can’t teach. If you watch Schwartz play, he not only finds the open-ice, but then takes the time needed to make the best possible play. Most players panic and make a reactive play, but Schwartz makes other react. It’s an almost unteachable instinct that is acquired through sheer experience. Combine that with his hand-eye coordination and you have a very dangerous player in front of the net.
His big issue is staying healthy. His fast-paced style of play is one that lends itself to injury. His positioning, though excellent, lends himself vulnerable and has proven costly. Hopefully, Schwartz will have a lengthy career, but his style of play definitely has a half-life.
6. Jonas Brodin (D)
You won’t find Brodin in too many highlight reels, but his strong skating ability and awareness, elevate Brodin on our list. A competent and confident, former 10th overall pick, Jonas Brodin has been a consistent, defensive fixture in a tightly wound Minnesota team. His name has been attached to trade rumors in the past, but has remained with the organization despite it’s logjam on the backend.
His style of play is very much like Marc Staal, though Brodin can contribute more on the offensive end. He has a confidence that Marc Staal had before his infamous concussion caused by his brother, Eric or the slapshot that nearly took out his eye. Brodin, though troubled by injury in the past, has continued to play strong and allows few defensive errors in his own zone.
If Minnesota continues their fire-sale and the organization spurns Brodin when it comes to contract talks, the Rangers could use a stable, stay-at-home defenseman like Jonas Brodin. Pairing him with a flashy Adam Fox could work well down the road.
5. Brandon Saad (LW)
A strong, durable wing with the ability to complement others. That’s what you’re getting in Brandon Saad. A two-time winner of the Stanley Cup, Brandon Saad knows what it’s like to win and could provide playoff experience that the Blueshirts would lack. Having been so young when he was a part of the dynasty that was the Chicago Blackhawks, Brandon Saad could relate to those at a similar age.
He provides a toughness that the Rangers have lacked in recent years. He’s not a reckless player, but a tenacious one. He drives to the net and creates opportunities for others. In Columbus, he proved he could be both a leader and a resilient point producer, but the idea of him hitting 70 points a season is a bit unrealistic.
It’s still hard for most, especially Blackhawks fans, to stomach the fact that they traded Artemi Panarin to reacquire Saad. Understandably, the Blackhawks were looking at long-term contract troubles, but it didn’t soften the blow any. Saad is a fan favorite, but there is a drastic drop-off in potential and skill from Panarin to Saad.
Is Brandon Saad worth six-million a season? Maybe, maybe not, but the Rangers could use a player like Saad for sure.
4. Adam Larsson (D)
Here me out on this one. Adam Larsson is a player who gets a lot of unnecessary hate. Drafted fourth overall by the New Jersey Devils, Larsson is a guy who was absolutely rushed into the league. Larsson joined an odd and expectant Devils team. Ilya Kovalchuk had just signed his dumpster-fire, 17-year deal and the Devils were expecting the franchise to be what it was once again over night. Larsson was not offered the time needed to develop further, but expected to be another elite NHL-ready, Swedish defenseman.
The Taylor Hall trade doesn’t make his stock any more valuable, but it’s not his fault. Larsson is a solid-defensemen who is in need of a fresh start. Having him on a second defensive unit behind Jacob Trouba and Brady Skjei could alleviate some of the pressures put on Larsson, as well as provide a veteran presence to a young defensive core.
He should be playing his best hockey in two or three years and could be a low-risk, high-reward piece the Rangers could utilize.
3. Brendan Gallagher (RW)
Brendan Gallagher is a pitbull. At 5’9″, Brendan Gallagher has had to create a style of game that would ensure him having a roster spot. Some would consider him a pest and he has often been compared to the likes of Brad Marchand, Nazem Kadri, Tom Wilson and every other agitator in the league. What separates Gallagher from the others is he’s never been fined or suspended for his play.
He plays with a focused recklessness that has never crossed the line. Montreal absolutely loves him and will probably try to keep him. With the game being less violent, players like Gallagher breathe a breath of fresh air into the game. His back to back 30-plus goal seasons validate his contribution as well. Not only is he some needed sandpaper, but an efficient scorer.
Think of Gallagher as a Ryan Callahan type. Callahan was the heart and soul of the franchise – “Captain Cally.” Players like Callahan and Gallagher provide teammates and fans someone to gravitate to; to look to when the team needs a shot of adrenaline in the arm on a three-game skid. They’re the guys that make a difference in the locker room and change the genetic makeup of a team.
2. Dougie Hamilton (D)
Arguably a top 20 defensemen in the NHL, Dougie Hamilton is an absolute must in 2021. If the Rangers have the cap-space this should be their primary target. A 6’6″ tower, Dougie Hamilton will only be 28 years old in 2021. His frame, his two-way game and his ability to put the puck in the net are all to be desired.
Two seasons ago, Hamilton put in 17 goals from the point; tying him for the most goals by a defensemen. Last season, he put 18 goals in and came in second. What’s more impressive, he put up 18 goals averaging only 19:40 TOI per game. The only player who scored more, Morgan Rielly, averaged four minutes more per game and only scored two more goals than Hamilton.
Drafted ninth overall by the Boston Bruins in 2011, there has been some criticism at his ‘reclusiveness.’ The Bruins justified the trade by saying as much and the Flames hinted at something similar. However, the stats don’t lie, Hamilton’s Corsi stats are outstanding and have only gotten better season after season.
Additionally, his isolated behavior would be a positive in New York. The over-stimulation of the city would have no effect on him. You’re not going to hear about Dougie Hamilton punching out a cab driver at three in the morning. He’ll be home resting up for practice the next day.
1. Gabriel Landeskog (LW)
An absolute shot in the dark, Gabriel Landeskog will be the prize of the 2021 free agency. The chances of him not resigning with Colorado are unlikely, but on the off chance that he makes it to July 1st, the Rangers should wine and dine the Colorado captain.
Once the youngest captain ever in the NHL, until usurped by Connor McDavid, Gabriel Landeskog provides next-level leadership. Not known for taking a night off, Landeskog makes an impact on the ice whether he’s on the scoresheet or not. He leads by example and has no problem dropping in the mitts if need be.
Coming off a breakout year, Landeskog will be at the center of a young Colorado Avalanche roster for the next two seasons. In the event the Avalanche feel they need to move in a new direction, the 2011 second overall pick could be the perfect person to replace Henrik Lundqvist as the face of the franchise. A leader will be needed to fill Lundqvist’s shoes and Landeskog could be just that.
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Leave your thoughts below on the list and if there’s anyone from the 2021 free agency you feel I overlooked, let me know!