We’re a quarter of the way through the season and the Rangers look like legit playoff contenders. The Rangers currently sit third in the league’s toughest division, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. Two weeks ago the Rangers suffered their first major injury of the season with Sammy Blais tearing his ACL (thanks P.K), leaving a hole in the Rangers middle six forwards.
The Julien Gauthier factor
Julien Gauthier has finally got some playing time and has looked really good. I’ve been campaigning for him to get a shot since they traded for him, so its nice to see him getting some playing time. In other words I don’t think the Rangers need to make a trade immediately.
To think this was in press box so Greg mckegg could play https://t.co/hAXVWq0nZT
— Drew Snyder (@drewsnydrr) November 17, 2021
The Vancouver Canucks
If the reports from Canada are to be believed, the Canucks are about to go into firesale mode. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman the Canucks are doing research on potential front office and coaching candidates. A new GM could be willing to start dealing guys. According to Rick Dhaliwal of The Athletic , teams have already started to make calls on Bo Horvat and J.T. Miller. Rob Simpson of VanHockeyNow.com also is reporting that Brock Boeser trade talks have heated up.
"Teams are calling about Vancouver players, no surprise the vultures are out.."@DhaliwalSports in our first segment on the chatter around the #Canucks over the last 24 hours.https://t.co/h4e2SL3agJ pic.twitter.com/OCm3A1m49O
— Donnie & Dhali (@DonnieandDhali) November 23, 2021
I don’t think the Rangers would be in on center J.T. Miller or right winger Brock Boeser but I think Bo Horvat could be an option. Bo Horvat is 26 and could really help the Rangers. He has proven in the past he can score, scoring 20 goals four of the last five years. His biggest asset is his ability to win face-offs. He currently sits at 58% for the season, which would easily be the highest on the Rangers. Horvat if available is obtainable, but as always it depends on price. He has one year left after this one on a contract with a $5.5 million cap hit.
Phil Kessel
Its officially Shane Wright season in the desert. The Coyotes are fully in tank mode, and of course Phil the Thrill wants no part of it. The Rangers have been linked to the right winger for a while now. Phil can still score with 20 goals last year to lead the team. He’s a UFA after this season.
Kevin Fiala
Now with this one I’m not sure about the availability. The Minnesota Wild currently sit atop the Central division, and have won four in a row. The reason I’m putting Fiala on this list is that the Vancouver Canucks are reportedly a team that is a fit for him and is being explored. So if he’s potentially available to one team well why can’t the Rangers be involved. Fiala has struggled this season but is only 25 years old, can play both left and right wing and is coming off of back to back 20-goal seasons. He is in the last year of his $5.1 million contract and will be an arbitration eligible RFA after this season.
Jake Debrusk
News came out the other night that left winger Debrusk had requested a trade over the summer. Of course the Rangers have already been linked. His agent said he needs a change of scenery and I don’t think the Rangers are really a fit. Where he would fit on the Rangers is where he already plays for Bruins and he wants out of there.
UFA’s
Finally, the Rangers have shown interest in several pending UFA’s. They have shown interest in Andreas Athanasiou, Calle Jarnkrok, and Zach Sanford. Just a few years ago the Rangers had some interest in Anthanasiou, but after scoring 30 goals for Detroit he seems to have lost his scoring touch. He would still provide some speed. He missed a month for the Kings this season with an undisclosed injury, but has two goals and five points in eight games.
Seattle’s Calle Jarnkrok would fit the middle six but he is a center, meaning a move of Filip Chytil to wing. He’s currently 50% on faceoffs , but that is better than his career 47.7%. He has consistently scored around 15 goals per season, but this year he has been injury prone and has only one goal in 14 games.
Ottawa’s Zach Sanford would definitely fit in the Rangers lineup. Sanford is a sandpaper type player. Everyone including myself are getting tired of hearing about toughness but that’s what Sanford brings to a lineup. The left winger currently has 40 hits through 20 games and is good for 10-15 goals per season. He also has a Stanley Cup ring from his days in St. Louis.
Long shots
Tomas Hertl and Vladimir Tarasenko are big name player who are potentially still available. I don’t think either fit the Rangers current needs and Blues GM Doug Armstrong seems content with keeping Tarasenko for the season. Hertl is a free agent after this season and has eight goals in 22 games for San Jose. Cap considerations are a big issue with both of these players.
Finally I just want to make mention of Evander Kane. The Sharks seem to be willing to retain salary just to get rid of him and I don’t think the Rangers have any interest nor should they.
Sammy Blais’ injury has created a hole in the lineup that at the moment is being filled by Julien Gauthier, and while he’s done a good job there is always room for improvement. The Rangers have plenty of time and plenty of forward choices to help boost this playoff roster.