Three names to watch for Rangers as trade deadline approaches

Nick Ritchie

Seemingly, the Blueshirts want someone who can produce for them while providing more of a physical aspect to the lineup. With spots in the top six up for grabs even midway through a season as we are at this moment, Nick Ritchie seems like the kind of player that the Rangers would want to go and get to add a little more bite to a smaller lineup. New York has a like of players in this build. Last year it was Motte, and Ritchie could do the same thing.

Ritchie’s $2.5 million against the cap would expire at the end of this season when the player gets to go back to free agency after previously signing a deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. That went so badly that he was dumped in Arizona before the trade deadline of the same season, so it is important to note that this is a player that is not a perfect fit anywhere he goes despite finding more success in the desert.

Arizona is believed to have talked to the Rangers regarding Ritchie last summer according to The Athletic and there seems to still be interest in the big-bodied winger from the Blueshirts. Ritchie has tallied 8 goals and 10 assists for 18 points in 41 games this year and for a player that is 6’2, 230 lbs, there is a lot to like. If the Rangers could add him to the bottom six and get him to be a productive member of the bottom six with his large stature, there is a good player here.

None of the players that I have talked about here are likely to break open the window for the Rangers, but they may be the reason that they are able to get a little deeper and get that much closer to the Stanley Cup. There is little doubt that most of the pieces the Rangers have at their disposal are good enough to make them competitive in the playoffs, but some of these players could give them a little bit more to get over the top.