Solving the Rangers’ faceoff problem

A solution

There is an answer to this problem.  They need to add a player who can win faceoffs, even if that player contributes minimally on offense.

Can the Blueshirts afford to acquire a player for the sole purpose of winning draws?  Absolutely.  Steven Fogarty is averaging five minutes a game.  Greg McKegg is getting under ten minutes a game.  It’s clear that the Rangers can afford to carry a player whose mission is to win faceoffs.

The Rangers know they have a flaw.  They brought in Brad Richards to instruct the kids on faceoff techniques.  That didn’t work. They haven’t drafted anyone with faceoff skills in years.  It’s time that Jeff Gorton made winning faceoffs a priority.

A perfect example of not prioritizing faceoff ability is in the signing of center Greg McKegg.  He signed for the NHL minimum  $750k salary to serve as a fourth line and depth player.  In his seven year career he has won more than 50% of his draws just once.  He’s won more than  50% of his defensive zone draws twice.

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Derek Grant is not a household name, but he has played seven years in the NHL for six different teams.  He signed with Anaheim as a free agent for $700k in June.  He has never  had a season that he didn’t win at least 52% of his faceoffs.

Would the Rangers be better off with a Derek Grant who is a reliable face off man and has won 53.4% of his  draws this season while adding nine goals while playing 13 minutes a game or a Greg McKegg who is averaging under ten minutes a game, has scored one goal and has won 47.3% of his draws?

The question is whether a player like Derek Grant is out there and can Gorton pry him away from a contender or find him through free agency.

Some potential targets

27 year old Nick Shore is a center for the Winnipeg Jets who was waived by Toronto in December.  The Jets snatched him  up and it’s obvious why. In four of the last five years he has won more draws than he has lost.  This season, his winning percentage is 55%.  He will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Is there a deadline deal to be done with the Carolina Hurricanes for Lucas Wallmark?   The 24 year old will be an arbitration eligible restricted free agent after the season and he has consistently been above the 50% mark.

The Maple Leafs have been rumored to be a trade partner.  24 year old center Frederick Gauthier has scored four goals this season, but he has won 58% of his faceoffs and 56.8% of those crucial defensive zone draws.  He will be an arbitration eligible restricted free agent after this season and is making $675k this season.

There are some players on non-contenders who would be attractive faceoff assets.  Nicholas Paul of the Ottawa Senators is a left winger who has been used for draws this season and he has won 54.5% of his faceoffs.  30 year old Luke Glendening is signed for two more years in Detroit and is one of the best faceoff men in the league.

This is important and if the team expects to become a contender, they need to prioritize the need to either teach their current crop of centers (is it possible?)  or find a center that they know can be counted on when it really matters.