New York Rangers: 5 free agents to target
By Derek McAdam
The New York Rangers made the biggest splash of free agency last off-season after inking Artemi Panarin to a seven-year contract, who went on to have a season just shy of 100 points. Will they be able to follow up with another off-season of successful free agent signings?
The Rangers will have over $15 million to work with in free agency, but that does not include contracts that they may or may not give to Ryan Strome, Anthony DeAngelo and Alexandar Georgiev.
The 2020 Free Agent Class is full of many talented names including Alex Pietrangelo, Torey Krug, Taylor Hall and many others. Although the Rangers may not be looking to sign a top free agent this off-season, they may look at cheaper free agents that can make a difference.
That would be especially true if they decide to part ways with Ryan Strome who will be looking for a big payday as an arbitration eligible restricted free agent.
Here are five free agents that the Rangers may want to sign to help boost their squad for the 2020-21 season.
5. Derick Brassard
A perfect player to bring back would be none other than the former Ranger Derick Brassard, who was traded in 2016 to the Ottawa Senators with a seventh-round pick for Mika Zibanejad and a second-round pick.
After bouncing around between the Penguins, Panthers and Avalanche, Brassard signed a one-year deal with the Islanders for the 2019-20 season, registering 10 goals and 22 assists for 32 points.
Although Brassard would not be on the first or second lines, he could provide a vital veteran presence on one of the bottom two lines.
Brassard’s best years in the NHL came with the Rangers, where he recorded 174 points in 254 games. He may not be able to recreate those numbers, but he would help the younger players develop.