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Three Free Agents the Rangers Should be Trying to Sign PTO’s

By Conor Power

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 29: Chris Drury, President and General Manager of the New York Rangers talks during the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena on June 29, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 29: Chris Drury, President and General Manager of the New York Rangers talks during the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena on June 29, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 08: Alexander Edler #23 of the Vancouver Canucks hangs on to Jimmy Vesey #26 of the New York Rangers during the second period at Madison Square Garden on November 8, 2016, in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 08: Alexander Edler #23 of the Vancouver Canucks hangs on to Jimmy Vesey #26 of the New York Rangers during the second period at Madison Square Garden on November 8, 2016, in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Alex Edler

This is another player on the older side that could still have something to offer the Blueshirts should they opt to go in this direction. As a veteran that has never won the Stanley Cup despite coming very close during his time as a member of the Vancouver Canucks, Alex Edler is still yet to reach the summit of the hockey world. With lord Stanley eluding the Swedish defenseman, one last shot may sell him on the Rangers project.

Defensive depth is among the most important things you can have in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Being able to run three pairs that can all shut it down in the defensive zone and provide an offensive threat is the ideal situation, and having defenders that can slide in when there are injuries will be even better. Edler fits that scenario as an ideal number 7 or 8 defenseman on a Stanley Cup contender.

While the Rangers have already added the links of Erik Gustafsson and expect Zac Jones to take a step heading into training camp, Edler’s experience seems like it could help guide this young defensive unit. While playing him as a night-in, night-out defenseman would likely not be a good idea due to his declining performances over the years, Edler could still benefit this team in the locker room.

There are plenty of other good options too. If the Rangers opted for the likes of Maxime Comtois or Nick Ritchie, there’s no reason not to enjoy it. Perhaps former Rangers like Derek Stepan could be seen coming back, or the old head of Paul Stastny. There will be a lot of players that could help when the injuries start to come, and it is worth remembering who they are if the Blueshirts find themselves in a desperate situation needing one.

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