New York Rangers: Top ten free agent targets in 2022

2022 may be the perfect time for the New York Rangers to dive into the free agent marketplace.

With 2020 NHL Free Agency coming to a close, the New York Rangers are still a piece or two away from making a run at the Stanley Cup. That piece could potentially be available in the free agent marketplace after the 2021-22 season.

The free agent class of  2021 has a great deal of talent available and recently we took a look at some potential trade targets. Click here to see it.

However, there are few roadblocks preventing the New York Rangers from taking full advantage next summer. For starters, the league will more than likely still have a flat salary cap of $81.5 million.  Dead cap space from buyouts will drop from $13 million to $4 million, but the team is facing a potential hit from performance bonus overages.

In addition, the entire league will rewrite itself in June of 2021 when, barring any more hurdles, the 32nd NHL franchise, the Seattle Kraken, will officially join the league. Expansion rules will allow teams to protect eight or ten players (depending on player’s positions and movement clauses). Judging off the Vegas expansion, there will be a swapmeet before and after the expansion draft and that could open up some potential acquisitions. It should also be noted that a Ranger today will be a Kraken tomorrow.

Rangers on Expiring Deals

Before the Rangers consider signing any free agents in 2022, they have to make some calls about their own talent.  Next summer, decisions will need to be made about Filip Chytil, Pavel Buchnevich, Julien Gauthier, Brett Howden, Ryan Lindgren, and Igor Shesterkin. All of the aforementioned will be restricted free agents, which helps, but Buchnevich is arbitration eligible and could be used as trade bait. The Rangers do have a surplus of wingers…

However, after the 2021-22 season, the Rangers will have six pivotal names hitting the open market:

1. Mike Zibanejad (UFA)
2. Adam Fox (RFA)
3. Kaapo Kaako (RFA)
4. Vitali Kravtsov (RFA)
5. Tony DeAngelo (RFA)
6. Alexandar Georgiev (RFA)

Though the future is far from certain, it is beyond doubt that a lot of money will be dealt to these players. Depending on how the next two seasons go, Zibanejad will likely claim a contract in the $8-11 million range. Adam Fox will likely look for a deal similar to what DeAngelo just signed in the $4-5 million range. Kakko will likely look for a bridge deal for something between $3-6 million. Kravtsov needs to make the roster full-time first, but could be in line for a payday and Georgiev will be eligible for arbitration and may be trade bait with Adam Huska or Tyler Wall ready to step in as the backup goaltender.

There’s still plenty of time to see how things pan out, but major decisions surrounding the team’s core will ultimately need to be made yet again.

The good news is this, the 2022 free agent class is one of the deepest classes to date. If the New York Rangers have to let a player or two go, for whatever reason that might be, the 2022 free agency has plenty of replacement talent.

With that out of the way, here are ten players the New York Rangers should consider from the 2022 NHL free agency.

Johnny Gaudreau, 29 – Left wing

Let’s begin with a bit of nonsense like we always do.

As mentioned previously on this site, signing or trading for Johnny Gaudreau does not make sense… The Rangers are already loaded at wing with Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, Kaapo Kakko, Alexis Lafreniere, Vitali Kravtsov, Brendan Lemieux, and Julien Gauthier.

This doesn’t make a lick of sense, but… if he’s available, if he’s looking for a deal similar to that of Taylor Hall (who appears to be looking to prove himself) or if Gaudreau merely thinks the Rangers are a piece away from becoming Stanley Cup Champions… a one-year deal for Johnny Hockey would be incredible. If the cap room is there, why not? What Rangers fan would complain to a one, or even two-year, cap-friendly deal with a near point per game producer who is a New Jersey native to boot.

Seth Jones, 27 & Morgan Rielly, 28 – Defense

Hear me out on this one. Both players are top 20 defensemen in this league. NHL.com listed Seth Jones as the fifth-best and Morgan Reilly as the 17th best going into next season. Not a single Rangers defenseman was on that list… not yet at least.

The reason Jones and Reilly are on this list is that they could be available and one of two scenarios could potentially happen:

Scenario one is Alex Pietrangelo. Pietrangelo got a seven-year deal with an AAV of $8.8 million. That’s a lot of money for one defenseman. Plus, the deal comes with a no-movement clause and  Pietrangelo will be 38 years old by the end of the deal… that’s a Henrik Lundqvist situation just waiting to happen. Alex Pietrangelo, to be clear, deserves that deal. However, if I’m the New York Rangers, I can’t do that deal.

Scenario two is Torey Krug. Krug, like Pietrangelo, got a seven-year deal, but with an AAV of $6.5 million. That’s a more manageable number. Yes, Krug’s deal comes with a no-trade clause for the first five years that turns into a modified no-trade clause the final two years, but that’s far more palatable.

What prohibits the deal from really happening is Jacob Trouba. Trouba’s contract will have five more years on it with an AAV of $8 million. There’s still plenty of time for that signing to look like a discount, but as of now, and at the time, it’s an overpay for a player who doesn’t even play on the powerplay.

Also, Seth Jones is a right-shot defenseman. The Rangers already have Trouba, Adam Fox, Tony DeAngelo, Nils Lundkvist, and the recently drafted Braden Schneider with a right-shot. It would only make sense to target Jones if you move on from one or more of these players.

Andrew Shaw, 31 – Center, Right wing

Speaking of agitators, Andrew Shaw is the current day face of agitation. Players aren’t sure if he’s going to drive you through the boards or steal your wallet. There is an edge to his game that cannot be taught. He’s mean, he’s physical, he’s borderline reckless, but he’ll pot a few goals for you too. Simply put, he’s Sean Avery with a better scoring touch.

If the Rangers have solidified, whether via draft or free agency, a second-line center, Andrew Shaw should center the third or fourth line. He can kill penalties, he can play on the powerplay and he has champion DNA. Can you imagine a world where Shaw, Brendan Lemieux, and Vitali Kravtsov play on a line together? There’s potential there.

The biggest concern surrounding Andrew Shaw is injuries. He was limited to 26 games this season by a concussion and his style of play doesn’t age well in the NHL. At 31, it could be a gamble to sign him. However, if he remains relatively healthy and the Rangers are able to acquire the two-time Stanley Cup champion for 2 million or less, who says no?

Aleksander Barkov, 27 – Center

If I’m Bill Zito, I’m doing whatever it takes to keep Aleksander Barkov happy. Barkov is the franchise. Barkov is the draw. Barkov might very well be the most underrated player in the NHL.

In a recent list published by the NHL Network, Aleksander Barkov is listed as the tenth best center in the NHL today; Mika Zibanejad is listed at ninth. Objectively, though it pains me to admit, Barkov, statistically, is the better player today. Regardless, having them both on the roster would be unstoppable down the middle.

The only reason that the former Lady Byng Trophy winner isn’t higher on the list is that Barkov is going to demand a Panarin-esque payout. He’ll only be 27 and he’s going to want a long-term contract in the 10-plus million range, which he deserves. If the Rangers want to sign Barkov, they’ll likely have three players making over $10 million (Panarin, Barkov, and potentially Zibanejad.)

While signing him would give the Rangers two of the best centers in the NHL, they may not be able to afford him.

Tomas Hertl, 28 – Center

Tomas Hertl… The man that ended Marty Biron’s career.

What a terrible turn of events for San Jose. They ship out a plethora of picks and assets for Erik Karlsson in hopes they finally bring home the Stanley Cup and in a sick twist of events, the team turns out to be worse than before. Instead of having a top-five pick, San Jose goes belly up in the “Shark Tank.”

With the ongoing overhaul underway, Hertl is currently slotted to be the Shark’s top-line center next season, but  Hertl isn’t even a top 20 center in the league according to that NHL Network list. What Hertl would be is a definitive second-line center behind Mika Zibanejad. He’s shown tremendous skill and a solid two-way game. He has had some injury issues as of late, including a season-ending knee injury, however, Tomas Hertl, the fourth center on this list, would be an upgrade over Ryan Strome and would still be in the prime of his career.

A fresh franchise that wouldn’t rely on Hertl to be the top point producer could be what he and the Rangers need next.

Max Domi, 27 – Center, Left wing

Max Domi has found himself on three franchises in the past four years and could be looking for a long-term deal with a fourth club. Domi is no stranger to the spotlight. He and his father, NHL Legend, Tie Domi, rub elbows with plenty of A-list celebrities including the likes of Mark Wahlberg who the father and son workout with from time to time. From the outside, it appears that Max Domi has the pedigree to flourish beneath the bright lights of Broadway.

The agitator of all agitators, Tie Domi, played a bit in the Big Apple and his son could pick up the mantle. Max Domi has far and away more skill than his father and the Rangers could still be on the hunt for that oft-discussed second-line center…

My question to readers is this – What could be more exciting than seeing Tie Domi, back in a New York Rangers jersey, in the stands cheering on his son? The energy that the Domi family would bring to Garden would be seismic night in and night out. If the Rangers are down, all it would take for the energy in the room to shift is to put Tie Domi cheering on the jumbotron. It’s an instant momentum shift.

If Max Domi doesn’t want to stay in Columbus with John Tortorella, the New York Rangers should sign Max Domi and purchase the Domi family an apartment right across the street from Madison Square Garden.

Vincent Trocheck, 29 – Center

The reason why Vincent Trocheck is number two on this list is that this might be the most plausible acquisition for the Rangers. His name has been associated with the New York Rangers in the past and he could be looking for a long-term team. He just signed a two-year deal with the Carolina Hurricanes, but that may not be where he wants to hang his hat each night.

Vincent Trocheck solves the Ranger’s needs. He’s a talented player who could replace Ryan Strome at a more affordable price point.

Let’s compare these two players real quick. For starters, both Vincent Trocheck and Ryan Strome were born on July 11, 1993. That’s true. Both players were drafted in the 2011 entry draft. Strome went fifth-overall to the New York Islanders and Trocheck went 64th overall to the Florida Panthers.

In 491 games played, Strome has 95 goals, 159 assists for a total of 254 points. In 427 games played, Trocheck has 112 goals, 172 assists for a total of 284 points. Strome has a plus/minus of +19. Trocheck has a plus/minus of -26. Trocheck has averaged nearly three more minutes of TOI in his career and plays a far more physical game with over 300 more career hits.

Ryan Strome has a career faceoff win percentage of 45.9%, while Vincent Trocheck has a win percentage of 51.2%. Strome has a career Corsi percentage of 49.9% and Trocheck has 52.1%.

Statistically, they’re very similar players, but Trocheck plays a stronger two-way game. It remains to be seen, but if the Rangers can’t retain Strome this offseason due to the current cap predicament, Vincent Trocheck would be a viable replacement.

Whats more, even if the Rangers find a second-line center, Vincent Trocheck can play the third-line role. He’s valuable to the Blueshirts either way.

Sean Couturier, 29 – Center

The belle of the New York Ranger’s 2022 ball is Sean Couturier.

Sean Couturier may not be the best overall player available. Barkov and Jones will be the bigger draws for sure, but Sean Couturier is currently a top-twenty center in the league today. The NHL Network center list has him 18th overall in the league.

Drafted 8th overall in 2011, two spots behind Ryan Strome, Sean Couturier has been in the league since he was a teenager. At nineteen, he was matching up with elite-level scorers including the likes of Sidney Crosby. He was viewed to solely be a defensive-forward for the longest time, but that’s far and away from the case. He was defense first because that’s what his team needed him to be.

When the Philadelphia Flyers needed him to be a scorer he did just that. In the 2017-18 season, the Flyers traded away Brayden Schenn and asked Couturier to step up. Couturier went from 14 goals and 34 points in 66 games played to 31 goals and 76 points in 82 games played. Sean Couturier puts the team first and does what needs to be done.

This was only proven when he won the Frank J. Selke Trophy this past season as the best defensive forward in the league. There is quite literally no one better at faceoffs currently in the NHL. With a 59.7% win percentage, Sean Couturier is by far the most ideal player for the Rangers. In addition, he led all Flyers offensive players in ice time per game (19:50), total shorthanded ice time (140:29), and had a plus/minus of +21 on the season.

Not to mention, this would be a huge blow to the Philadelphia Flyers, an arch rival in the Metro Division. The Flyers, all things considered, are coming off of a rather successful season. Sean Couturier was a large part of that success. Stealing him away makes the Rangers better and the Flyers worse. That’s the ultimate win-win.

The New York Rangers are quite literally a piece away from contending. All the New York Rangers really need at this point is that true center. Sean Couturier is that center. Every other center on this list is good, but they don’t do what Couturier does. If the Rangers can somehow snag Couturier, who will still only be 29 years old, for $8.5 million or less (much like Leon Draisaitl’s contract), this is a no brainer! It remains to be seen what Sean Couturier will be looking for in the open market, but he’s the type of player the Rangers need to win the Stanley Cup.

Aging veterans to avoid

It should also be noted that there are few veterans that will be available in 2022 that the New York Rangers should absolutely avoid.

Evgeni Malkin, Claude Giroux, Joe Pavelski, Patrice Bergeron, David Perron, and P.K. Subban are just a few of the names available in 2022 that the New York Rangers should steer clear from. Of the aforementioned, Subban will be the youngest at 33 years old. With the amount of talent waiting in the Broadway wings, there’s no reason for New York to pull a New York yet again.

Fans are up in arms at the Jack Johnson signing. Johnson, 33, is only making $1.5 million for one year of team participation. Though everyone mentioned above is a legend in their own right and miles ahead of Jack Johnson’s ability, what would it cost to bring in a 36-year-old Evgeni Malkin or a 34-year-old Claude Giroux or a 37-year-old Patrice Bergeron?

None of these players will be what they are today or what they ever were. Though the names are “Shiny”, they’re not who or what the New York Rangers need. Therefore, none of these people have made the following list.

Summing Up

All ten of these players could prove to be valuable acquisitions, but the question is will any of these players even get to free agency?  There’s a large gap between now and then and a lot of hockey left to be played. However, two points need to be made clear – The Rangers still need their young guys to mature and they’re still a player or two short from a Stanley Cup run.

But, to be frank, if the Blueshirts had Sean Couturier today, the rebuild would be officially done. He’s the ideal player for New York. If the New York Rangers had him today, the lineup could potentially look like this:

Offense

Artemi Panarin – Mika Zibanejad – Kaapo Kakko
Chris Kreider- Sean Couturier –  Pavel Buchnevich
Alexis Lafrèniere – Filip Chytil – Julien Gauthier
Brendan Lemieux – Brett Howden – Vitali Kravtsov

Defense

Ryan Lindgren – Adam Fox
Libor Hajek – Jacob Trouba
Jack Johnson- Tony DeAngelo

Goaltending

Igor Shesterkin
Alexandar Georgiev

Reserves

K’Andre Miller
Nils Lundkvist
Phillip Di Giuseppe
Morgan Barron

What do you think? Who would you want? Comment who you would sign below.