3 players the New York Rangers should target before the trade deadline

For the New York Rangers, being as good as they have been this season has proved to anyone that watches them consistently that their early season struggles were merely just a wobble, and the wheels are still firmly attached to this wagon. New York has already added Vladimir Tarasenko, Tyler Motte and Niko Mikkola to its ranks ahead of the deadline hoping for another deep push.

I asked the question if the Rangers’ deadline shopping should be done with just these two added to the roster, but I do think the general consensus is that there needs to be more. Currently, the Rangers sit 6th in the NHL standings via points percentage. That’s all well and good until you realize all five teams ahead of the Blueshirts are in the Eastern Conference. But c’est la vie, you have to beat the best to be the best.

It raises the question of who the Rangers should go to get in order to bolster their ranks. What do they really need? Bolstering up the fourth line has been a suggestion, a guy that can match the physicality that the playoffs demand. Others have clambered for some additional depth that could be used on the penalty kill to help the special teams out when the going is at its toughest.

Some want some additional star power, so we will see what happens but it should be a lot of fun watching the echo chamber of rumors get louder and louder as we approach the deadline. We know that the Rangers are not the finished article in all likelihood. After the addition of Tyler Motte, this lineup looks a lot more complete than it did prior to the Tarasenko trade.

There’s still likely room for one more depth addition. Someone with some size or a little more scoring could be on the agenda for the front office, depending on what their view as their major priority. There are players available that fill all of these needs, so it really does just come down to whatever management wants to get involved in. If the Rangers do move someone like Vitali Kravtsov off their roster, there will likely be room for a little more too.

Nick Ritchie

For teams that want a strong physical presence in their bottom six while adding some size, the Arizona Coyotes have just the players for that. Pending unrestricted free agent forward Nick Ritchie fits just that need. While there may some concerns about his inability to fit into the plans of a good team given the issues he had when he was a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, that should not put you off the Orangeville, Ontario native.

At 235 lbs and 6’3, this is the kind of big-body player most teams are going to want in their bottom six in an effort to help deal with the demands of high-intensity playoff hockey. There’s no denying that the Rangers could use some help in their bottom six. Losing Ryan Reaves earlier in the season really hurt the Rangers’ ability to put a roster together with enough strength and bite to cope with a roster like Tampa Bay.

This isn’t to suggest that Nick Ritchie is a one-trick pony. With the ability to produce around 20 points a year, Ritchie has 9 goals and 12 assists for 21 points. He’s more than capable of being an asset in a diminished role. There’s no need for major concern because he is not likely to play major minutes. There may be issues if there are a ton of injuries and he is suddenly on the top line, but in a depth role, he’s helpful.

Ritchie makes $2.5 million against the cap until the end of this season, so it is more than affordable. Retained, $1.25 million is something the Rangers could slot into the roster without having to make any additional moves. It seems like this could be the kind of player to jump onto the fourth line that could provide a spark in the playoffs when the games get really rough.

Max Domi

Speaking of players with a little bit of bite and flair, Max Domi makes this list. While it is becoming more and more unlikely that the Chicago Blackhawks will be open to moving the Winnipeg, Manitoba native, it doesn’t change the fact that he would be a fantastic addition to the Rangers roster for multiple reasons. There’s nothing he cannot do and he can play anywhere up and down the lineup depending on what the team needs of him and what the coach asks for from the former 12th-overall pick.

Domi’s not the largest man in terms of stature at just 5’10, 195 lbs, but he’s not going to shy away from any fight. With the ability to both fight and score, he’s been a great target for any contending team trying to find some depth to help them get over the top in terms of a playoff push. If the Rangers are in the market for some additional depth, regardless of what kind, this is a player who will help them fit their needs.

With a cap hit of $3 million, retained it’s obviously $1.5 million which the Rangers could take on with a little financial balancing. They’d have to include someone in the deal going out, or at least put someone on waivers. Whether that means waiving someone like Jake Leschyshyn to accommodate the move, there are people that get paid a lot more than I do to work that out.

When the Rangers played the Hurricanes in the first round last year, they got a good look at Domi. With his ability to produce on the right wing, it would give the Rangers a cheap option on the right to round out the top six perfectly. There is still a little unease about the current makeup of the roster given the current situation at right-wing.