Three Cheap Depth Players the New York Rangers Should Target

Chris Drury has had quite an eventful summer so far. Alexis Lafreniere still needs to get done and the Blueshirts need to figure out whatever they are going to do with that deal moving forward. With that said, there is still a lot of talent out there on the free-agent market and the Rangers are a team that will continue to look for depth wherever it is available. Depth is essential to any team that has cup ambitions and despite some of the reservations from Ranger fans, this is a cup-caliber team.

Now, with just 2.2 million in cap space and an Alexis Lafreniere situation to figure out, this Rangers team is not exactly swimming in cap space to splash on the big talents still on the free-agent market. Whether that is former Rangers like Patrick Kane or Vladimir Tarasenko, or some of the prominent defensemen like Matt Dumba, the Rangers just do not have room to do something like that.

So, what could the Rangers get involved in that would improve this team heading into the fourth week of July and the dead period of the summer when everyone enjoys the break from the hockey world? Well, the Rangers’ depth is going to be tested again and again so splashing some cash on some extra depth pieces. There will be players available this summer for the iconic Blueshirts that will be willing to take discounts to play in the greatest city on the planet.

When looking at the roster, the area that needs more depth is the forwards. Specifically, an extra player who can help put the puck in the net and provide some depth production if the top end struggles. Players that can score right now that may be willing to sign a cheaper deal just to ensure that they are in the NHL next season and have the ability to play for the Stanley Cup should be a major priority and that is what these three have in common.

Josh Bailey

Guys that get bought out are usually the prime candidates for those that might be looking to just stay in the league even if that comes at a reduced cap number. Former New York Islander Josh Bailey was bought out by the Chicago Blackhawks after being dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks at the draft. With the versatile forward still on the free-agent market, you have to wonder if perhaps there is a chance to land the Bowmanville native.

Baily had some issues on the island last year playing in just 64 games and losing his spot in the lineup for the postseason. While that was not a great look, the player here did put up 8 goals and 17 assists for 25 points. This should be noted that these numbers came in a New York Islanders team that struggles offensively as a collective. In a system that encourages a little more offense and playing with a better “supporting cast”, maybe those numbers get back up to his career highs.

Those career highs for Josh Bailey? 18 goals, 53 assists, 71 points. This is a player that has the ability to score, do not let his down year from this most recent season. While at 33 years old, he is probably not going to see the other side of the 50-point mark again in his career. However, is it beyond the bounds to suggest he could help himself to maybe 10 goals and 30 points if he’s in the bottom six or even more if he’s in the top six to leave the kids together?

Maxime Comtois

Sticking with the forward core as we look for more wing support for the Blueshirts, some will be put off of Josh Bailey due to his age. So, let’s talk about 24-year-old winger Maxime Comtois. As the former Anaheim Duck draft pick has struggled to consistently produce in the NHL, he’s shown flashes of absolute brilliance during his time on a Ducks team that has been in the depths of a rebuild.

Comtois has a career-high of 16 goals and 17 assists for 33 points in 55 games back in 2020-21. You can make the argument that this total is inflated because of the season as this was the year when the divisions were realigned to accommodate the closed border between the United States of America and Canada. That Pacific division was not good that year so you can argue that the weaker teams helped raise those totals, but that Ducks team was still not good either.

If Comtois was to come in and slot into the top six wherever Blake Wheeler does not play, the Rangers could give this player a chance on the second powerplay unit and give him chance to become the player he was drafted to be. If the deal is league minimum or something that can be completely buried in the AHL if things go awry, there’s completely no risk to the Rangers in this situation.

Comtois could also play further down the lineup if there are issues. At 6’2, 210, he’s more than capable of filling out the bottom six in a more physical role if Laviolette doesn’t want to put him in a larger role. This player can move around the lineup and fit in wherever the team needs him to, and that versatility is something that could be incredible for a roster that at times got too stale upfront before the deadline.

Nick Ritchie

I’ve talked about this played before, but this guy has proven that he can play in both a top-six role because he can produce but he can play lower down the lineup too as his big size allows him to bring the physicality when he is not producing. Nick Ritchie is the kind of player the Blueshirts should be trying to go after because of everything he can bring to a lineup that could use a little more physicality and a little more scoring.

At 6’3, 240 lbs, this is a large human being who knows how to lay the body. He fits the modus operandi of the Rangers’ front office over the last few years in terms of the search for some extra toughness. You want someone of that stature when the playoffs roll around and everyone wants to step up and cause chaos. Not to mention, someone who will go to the front of the net and take abuse to score goals.

This isn’t someone who just has a big body either. In 74 games this season split across Calgary and Arizona, Ritchie had 13 goals and 13 helpers for 26 points. What is more important about these totals is the 13 goals. Putting the puck in the net is one of the most difficult things to do in this sport and having someone like Ritchie who can add double-digit goals from the depth roles is a good sign.

If Ritchie was to join a line with Barclay Goodrow and Jimmy Vesey in the bottom six, that would be a line that could do almost anything. That depth for Peter Laviolette and his coaching staff could be the difference between yet another first-round elimination and perhaps defeating teams like New Jersey and Carolina in the postseason. I’m not saying Ritchie would be the single reason for it, but you never know who the difference-maker will be in the playoffs.