An unconventional idea
Tony DeAngelo has made it known that he is comfortable playing either side on defense. Could a DeAngelo-Trouba tandem make sense as the top pair? It would mean that Trouba would have to take the more defensive role of the two, but it’s an intriguing idea.
That would mean replacing DeAngelo on the third paid and that is where Nils Lundkvist could step in. He had a record setting season in the Swedish Hockey League and the Blueshirts may try to entice him to come to North America. Playing sheltered minutes on the third pair with Marc Staal could be a logical way of introducing him to the NHL.
Other than Lundkvist, the Hartford options are Nick Ebert and Darren Raddysh, both career AHL players who are righthanded shots. Ebert, 25, who came over in the Namstnikov trade from Ottawa, is a UFA after this season and the 24 year old Raddysh is a restricted free agent.
We shall see
The Rangers don’t have a lot of cap room to go the free agency route, but a trade is always a possibility. Today, the best option could be moving DeAngelo to the opposite side. It resolves a lot of issues and if the team is prepared to pay DeAngelo the big bucks based on his excellent year, he needs to move up from the third pairing.
If the team makes no moves in acquiring any temporary defensive help, you can be sure that training camp will provide for a wide open fight for the spot formerly occupied by Brady Skjei.