Rangers at a crossroads after some big wins

The New York Rangers just beat the New York Islanders in back-to-back games.  The two victories offer fans so much more than just bragging rights over the long-time rivals, they offered a look at what the team’s potential truly is.  But the wins also put the Rangers at a crossroads, where they need to decide who stays and who goes.

Rangers fan are still tingling over last night’s victory at the Nassau Coliseum. The Rangers bested the loathed Islanders on their legendary home ice, beating them at their own game.  This is on the heels of the scintillating victory earlier this week in which the Rangers showed the Islanders just how skilled and talented they are.

They skated circles around the Fishsticks one day and grinded out a victory the next. The signs of progress clearly on display.

Artemi Panarin, simply amazing.  Mika Zibanejad, relentless. Even Filip Chytil, Kappo Kakko and Brett Howden are really starting to click, and when they do this team will be an offensive juggernaut.

Both wins are extremely satisfying for Rangers fans, and they should be enjoyed accordingly.  But at the same time, in the back of every mind is the thought of where the Rangers will go at the trade deadline that is just a few short weeks away.

By now most scenarios have been raised.  Chris Kreider, Ryan Strome, Alexandar Georgiev, Anthony DeAngelo, Pavel Buchnevich, Jesper Fast, even Igor Shesterkin has been tabbed as potential trade bait. I raised the possibility of trading Brady Skjei recently.…so let’s start there.

The thought of moving Skjei has to be climbing the ladder after these last two games.  He was simply not that great against the Isles.  Sure he chipped in a secondary assist on Kreider’s goal in the game at the Garden, but he was completely and totally overmatched physically in the game at the Coliseum.

Skjei just has not shown the willingness to take any punishment on the ice. As a comparison, just take a look at the efforts put forth by Ryan Lindgren.  That guy is a warrior, that guy is out there giving it everything he’s got to win a hockey game.

To pile it on a bit, when you have Tony DeAngelo playing brilliant offensive games while also being willing to protect his teammates and Adam Fox offering a his offensive skills while also giving up the body to block shots, the need for Skjei and his $5.25 million cap hit is zero.

Before any other move is made, the market for Skjei needs to be fully explored.

One the other end of the spectrum sits Chris Kreider.

If these last two games have proven anything, it’s that Kreider needs to be on this team.  Larry Brooks wrote about it after the first Ranger/Islander game this week and after his game winner last night, the point was really driven home.

Yes, Kreider was M.I.A for about half of the game last night, but when he finally showed up, he was the difference.  When he scored the game winner, and screamed leaving the bench when the game was over, you could really feel how much he wants to be a part of this team.  The Rangers must find a way.

What’s really bothersome about the Kreider situation is the timing of his contract.  If he had just one more year on his current deal, the Rangers could re-sign him without a blink of an eye next year.  But it is next year that is the problem, thanks to Kevin Shattenkirk.

I’ll offer up a crazy scenario here having no freaking idea as to whether or not it is possible or circumnavigates some NHL or Player Association rules.

What if the Rangers offer Kreider a one year deal at a team friendly cap hit and then sign him to a long-term deal that kicks in during the 21/22 season. The long-term deal would compensate Kreider for the couple of mil he left on the table by signing the one year deal.

Look, hockey is the one sport where the players are willing to sacrifice a little bit for a real chance at being part of something bigger, a real chance at hoisting the Stanley Cup.  Hockey players are team players, they are brothers, they care.  If Kreider wants to be a part of this, much like Henrik Lundqvist does, then why shouldn’t he and Jeff Gorton find a way to make it happen?

Keeping Kreider here, through what is now officially a playoff hunt, has to be appealing to both the player and the organization.  Sure you could trade Kreider away at the deadline and then try to re-sign him after the season but there is no way you are getting the one season discount from him at that point. Re-signing him becomes close to impossible.

Keeping him here continues the gelling process and sends a message to the rest of the team that the time has come.

Ryan Strome is the next piece of the puzzle that needs to be solved but he more than anyone should be willing to sign a team friendly deal.  He’s finally found a home, is playing with elite talent and having the kind of success you expect from a high first round draft pick.  Why in the world would he consider leaving to start over in another city.

Then there is Alex Georgiev.  This kid is really playing his way into the hearts of every Rangers fan. He is an Islander killer. He just beat the hated Islanders back to back and will probably get a shot at three straight next week.

Alas, it seems that he is destined to be that really beautiful girl from high school who only wanted to be friends. Georgie is most likely moving on.

The Rangers need to weaponize Georgiev and use him to get what they really need….cap space. Gorton needs to find a team with cap space that is willing to take Brendan Smith in the deal and free up the $4.3 million that he adds to the salary cap next year.  For that, the Rangers should be willing to be more flexible in what they get in return for Georgie.  Teams like Colorado, Buffalo and even the Devils have plenty of cap space and are in need of a starting goalie.

After Georgie gets the start in Game three of this Islanders series next Tuesday, the Rangers get nine days off.  When they hit the ice again on January 31 to face the Detroit Red Wings there will be 24 days until the trade deadline. If the Rangers still have Georgiev on the roster at that time, there will be only one reason why.

Strangely enough, the first game after the trade deadline is against the Islanders.