Centers in their walk years the Rangers could pursue

It’s common knowledge that a first or second line center is on Chris Drury’s shopping list. The  simplest and most expense strategy is to go the Unrestricted Free Agent route.  We’ll be taking a look at the UFA centers out there in a future article.

Another option for the New York Rangers is to go after a center entering his walk year, the last year of a contract.  Rather than waiting until the trade deadline, or even worse, getting to free agency, teams are willing to sell early.  Sometimes those deals are contingent on reaching agreement on a new contract,  but often a team will jettison a pending free agent in return for a decent return.

No team wants to get into the situation the Islanders encountered with John Tavares when they were not able to reach agreement on an extension, did not trade him at the deadline and then lost him to free agency with absolutely no return.

It’s an opportunity for Drury to get a top center with the hope that it won’t be a one and done marriage.  He needs  a center who is a team leader, is hard to play against and can win faceoffs.

Another item on the shopping list is a third or fourth line center who is defensively responsible and can be the go-to guy when it comes to taking crucial draws.

Here’s a look at the centers who could be attractive to the Rangers this off-season, starting with their own.

Home grown talent

MIKA ZIBANEJAD, 28

The numbers: Zibanejad is in the final year of a five-year deal with an Average Annual Value (AAV) of $5.3 million.

The facts: One of the best walk year centers on the list is the Rangers’ own Mika Zibanejad.   He’s proved to be a number one center and though some believe that he doesn’t fit the “hard to play against” criteria, he is the team’s best two-way center and is an elite scorer. He’s also one of the best on the team on faceoffs, which is not saying much for the worst team in the NHL.

Since he clarified the effect that COVID-19 had on him the first half of this season, Zibanejad is pure quality. He has said that he wants to win in New York and the challenge for Drury will be to get the 28-year-old to sign a shorter term deal for “team friendly” dollars.  He’s been a bargain at  $5.3 million and will be looking for a big payday, the question is how big.

The odds:  What they do with Zibaneajd will depend on what other moves Drury makes.  If the Rangers swing a blockbuster for another center, he may be priced out of the market.   If Drury plays it conservatively, sticking with Zibanejad as the number one center is not a bad option for the next three or four years which is what the Stanley Cup contention window appears to be.

RYAN STROME, 28

The numbers:  Strome is in the final year of a two-year deal paying him an AAV of $4.5 million.

The facts: Strome doesn’t get a lot of love from the fan base.  Labeled “soft” or “inconsistent” he has pulled off two excellent season with 32 goals and 108 points in 126 games. This season he proved that he can be an offensive threat without Artemi Panarin on his wing.

He’s an excellent team guy and a straight shooter when it comes to dealing with the media.  He will fight for his teammates and he is still young, turning 28 in July.

The odds:  It looks like the Rangers will want to see if he can add a third year to his last two solid seasons.  While he may be best suited to third line duty, if he will be looking for a big raise on his $4.5 million salary, he may price himself out of the Rangers’ budget.  He has made it clear that he likes it in New York, his third team in five years, but if the dollars are too much, he will be gone.

COLIN BLACKWELL, 28

The numbers: Blackwell is going into the last year of  a two-year deal paying him $725k annually.

The facts:  The Ranger signed Blackwell to a two year deal strictly for expansion draft purposes as they needed him on the roster to satisfy exposure requirements. The self proclaimed “Swiss Army Knife” surprised everyone with a top notch season as a utility forward, playing on all four lines and at all three positions.

He finished with a very presentable 12 goals and 22 points in 47 games and followed that up with a four goal performance as an assistant captain of Team USA at the World Championships.  Now, the debate is whether the Rangers will protect him in the draft and expose Brett Howden.

The odds:  The Rangers like Blackwell and he fits Gerard Gallant’s criteria as an overachiever.  He won’t be getting an extension, but unless he goes in the draft, he will be on the team next season,  but beyond that, who knows?

JONNY BRODZINSKI, 28

The numbers:  Brodzinski is going into the last year of  a two-year deal paying him $740k annually.

The facts:  That’s right, Brodzinski earned more money than Colin Blackwell.  He spent most of the season in Hartford or the taxi squad and looks destined for that again next season.

The odds:  He’s on this list just because of his contractual status.  He’s a center for the Hartford Wolf Pack for at least one more year.

That’s it for the walk year centers on the Rangers’ roster.  Now, for a look at the most intriguing options on other teams.