The New York Rangers would be wise to take a look at free agent Mikael Granlund
Everyone knows what Artemi Panarin does for his teammates. He elevates everyone around him, the latest example being Ryan Strome, who had a career year as his center. If the New York Rangers are in the market for a center, it’s possible that he could work the same magic on Mikael Granlund. Granlund is one year removed from a 54 point season, mostly with the Minnesota and could find a spark playing with one of the best in hockey.
The 28-year old Granlund had seasons of 21 and 26 goals with the Wild before he was traded to Nashville at the trade deadline in February 2019. He’s had a rocky time with the Predators and has made it clear he wants to see what free agency will bear.
New York has a projected cap space of $14,391,867. They can definitely sign Granlund to a one or two year deal before the young centers (Filip Chytil, Brett Howden, Morgan Barron) find their own and become what New York thinks they can be. Expectations are high for the Rangers next year and the playoffs is the goal. Granlund, with his experience, can help the team get there.
It may mean parting ways with Ryan Strome who is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, who is expected to seek a long term deal for more than $5 million per year. Since Granlund is likely to sign for as much as $6 million a year the team won’t be able to afford both so the Rangers have to decide if he has a greater upside than Strome.
Granlund is a fine defensive center who got votes for the Selke Trophy in 2017. He’s solid in the faceoff circle with a winning percentage this season of 48.7%, a number that would have ranked second on the Blueshirts. He’s also a proven offensive player and has been a solid goal scorer and points producer longer and more consistently than Strome.
Nashville was not the right place for Granlund. He has to find the correct team and players to play with, and New York has an environment where he can succeed. Playing with someone like Artemi Panarin could give Granlund an opportunity to shine.
Granlund could be a player that can catapult a young, talented team that everyone sees as a future contender into playoff contention next season.