Blue Line Station
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The New York Rangers will audition second line centers in playoffs

ByJason Katinas|
Mar 20, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Rangers center Ryan Strome (16) faces off with Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Rangers center Ryan Strome (16) faces off with Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 25, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers center Andrew Copp (18) celebrates his goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins with defenseman K’Andre Miller (79) and center Ryan Strome (16) and left wing Artemi Panarin (10) and defenseman Jacob Trouba (8) during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Both players have proven to have a case to be the teams second line center for the foreseeable future. Strome has shown to be more adept offensively, but takes far too many penalties. while Copp is more disciplined and is a master at the dot, but has thus far in his career been a step behind on points production. However, all of these facts, both good and bad, are from the regular season. How each fares while playing with Panarin in the post season will go a long way in helping Chris Drury make his decision.

The costs of doing business

Additionally, what each player believes their next contract is worth will also weigh heavily into who stays and who goes. Strome is coming off a contract with a $4.5MM annual average cap hit. in the three years he has been the Rangers number two center, he has averaged 0.81 points per game, a 66 point average over 82 games. The Rangers extended Kreider at $6.5 million annual average with a previous career high of 53 points. Mika Zibanejad received an extension to an $8.5 million annual average while pacing a point per game, or better, in each of the last three seasons.

In comparison with these Rangers extensions, Strome can justify a contract request of near $7 million in annual average. Copp’s expiring contract is worth an annual average of $3.640 million. With a career best production numbers falling short of the 60 point mark, an extension should be far less impactful to the team. Copp may bring many intangible assets to the table, but scoring, more so than anything else, drive contract dollars. As such, a contract that lands below an annual average of $6 million is more than likely.

The playoffs will offer an opportunity to paint a clearer picture of which player will remain a Blueshirt. However, In the end, all things being equal as they are now, Copp should be the choice. While there is an obvious emotional connection to Strome, pragmatically, Copp brings more to the table overall. All said, it is hard pill to swallow having to allow either of these players to walk via free agency. That though is the unfortunate circumstance that President and General Manager Chris Drury will need to navigate in just a few short weeks.

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