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New York Rangers: When will the rebuild end?

By Daniel Blanda

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 15: Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers looks on from the bench during a game against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on January 15, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 15: Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers looks on from the bench during a game against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on January 15, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 05: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Madison Square Garden on February 5, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 05: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Madison Square Garden on February 5, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The rumor mill

  • Chris Kreider – the most sought after player at the trade deadline will be Chris Kreider. His play has been so captivating, because he’s finally skating downhill like we always wanted him to. His goal against Toronto was Kreider at his best. Fans are going to be sad to see him go, but they’ll sadder when he’s asking for $6.5 to $7 million a year for an extension. If he takes a discount to stay in the Apple, that’s one thing, but expect him to garner a contract similar to Evander Kane and Kevin Hayes. It’s no mistake that the front office sent him to the All-Star game over DeAngelo and Zibanejad. They were dangling a carrot.
  • Tony DeAngelo – is it a coincidence that DeAngelo is having his breakout year the same year as a contract season? Probably not. He is currently the sixth highest scoring defensemen in the entire NHL and Rangers fans are dying for him to stay. However, the majority of his play comes on the power play. If the team finds themselves playing predominately even-strength, like they did against Toronto, DeAngelo just sits in limbo on the third-defensive unit. Why is the sixth highest scoring defensemen in the league, with a positive plus-minus, playing the fewest minutes of any defensemen on either team? It might be wise for the New York Rangers to explore trading him for a talented winger to who can requite some of DeAngelo’s offensive talent. Perhaps a Kasperi Kapanen?
  • Pavel Buchnevich – his name has started to pop up in the trade circuit. He’s played like a man possessed as of late, but it appears that he and Coach David Quinn aren’t seeing eye to глаз (Russian for eye). If a trade is there, don’t be surprised to see Buchnevich depart.
  • Ryan Strome – is about to get paid. It’s been a breakout season for sure for Ryan Strome. There’s been a proverbial monkey on his back since his 50 point campaign with the Islanders in 2014-15. It’s almost hard to believe that the Rangers only had to trade Ryan Spooner for Strome, but now might be a good time to sell high. Strome has played some darn good hockey, but he’s also played on a line with Artemi Panarin. That makes his job a lot easier.
  • Jesper Fast – quick question – although he is the recipient of the Rangers’s Player’s Player Award for the past four consecutive seasons, should the Rangers prioritize resigning him if he’s asking more than $2.5 million a season?

Alexander Georgiev

– there is a gridlock in net. If the Rangers cannot make one or two moves happen (which we’ll mention shortly), the Rangers may be stuck between a King and a hard place.

"Why is the sixth highest scoring defensemen in the league, with a positive plus-minus, playing the fewest minutes of any defensemen on either team?"

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