When the New York Rangers traded for Reilly Smith last summer, they continued to kick the can down the road in their years-long search for a complementary top-six winger. In the years since moving on from Pavel Buchnevich, no player could truly emerge to match his impact. The post-Buchnevich era has been a revolving door; Frank Vatrano, Kaapo Kakko, Smith, Blake Wheeler, Jack Roslovic, and more were given opportunities but failed to carry the torch.
After the Rangers acquired J.T. Miller from the Vancouver Canucks in February, Mika Zibanejad was given an extended run on Miller's wing. After a horrendous start to the season, Zibanejad was much improved in his new role. Scoring at just under a point-per-game pace, the Swede was able to refind his game. While finding a second or third line winger will still be a priority, Zibanejad's resurgence could be a boon for the cap-strapped Rangers.
It will be difficult for the Rangers to find a player like Smith. He provided steady defense, while being able to chip in offensively with a point every other game. He was also playing at a discounted cap hit, with Pittsburgh carrying half of his $5 million salary. While the Rangers are unlikely to replace that production, they can target players who could rebound after being in sub-optimal situations in previous seasons, or provide strong depth.
Andrew Mangiapane
2024-25 Stats: 81 games, 14 goals, 14 assists
Mangiapane played a decreased role for the Washington Capitals after they acquired him from the Calgary Flames last summer. He saw his ice time cut from 16:00 to 13:02. While his stats will not jump off the page, he is a former 35-goal scorer with Calgary. Having played up-and-down the lineup his entire career, he provides the versatility that the Rangers might covet. While playing on a line with Lars Eller and Taylor Raddysh, the trio posted a 65 xG%, according to NaturalStatTrick. Out of all Capitals' lines that played a minimum of 100 minutes together, this was the best mark. Could Mangiapane form a similarly effective line on the Rangers?
Anthony Mantha
2024-25 Stats: 13 games, 4 goals, 3 assists
After being signed by the Flames on the first day of the new league year, Mantha got off to a solid start for his new team. Through 13 games, he led the Flames with a 55.22 xG% (minimum 2 games played). In mid-November, he suffered a torn ACL, which ended his time in Calgary. Mantha will be 31 by the time next season rolls around, and it is unclear if he will be ready for the first game. However, this could work in New York's favor, as Mantha could be had at a reduced cost. He has been able to be a powerplay contributor in the past, and could be a shrewd addition.
Taylor Raddysh
2024-25 Stats: 80 games, 7 goals, 13 assists
If the Rangers decide to give prospects an opportunity to take over Smith's spot, Raddysh would be the perfect addition to reinforce the team's bottom six. Making up one-third of the aforementioned Mangiapane line, Raddysh posted an impressive 54.11 xG% in his first season in the nation's capital. Checking in at 6 '3", 200 lbs, he brings the size that general manager Chris Drury covets. Due to his role and lack of scoring punch, he should be within the Rangers' price range this summer.
Gabe Perreault
2024-25 Stats: 5 games, 0 points
Perreault presents perhaps the most logical option for New York. After failing to impress in his brief Broadway cameo at the end of the season, fans should not panic about the organization's top prospect. He might not have posted a point, but can you blame him? The team was in such disarray by the time he joined that many tabbed him as the season's savior. That is simply too much pressure to put on a player who had never played a game at the NHL level. After posting 48 points this season at Boston College, he is poised to make the jump to meaningful minutes. With a full offseason of training, he should be able to hit the ground running come October.
In what is gearing up to be the most intriguing offseason in years for the Rangers, finally finding another strong middle-six winger will be at the top of the offseason's to-do list. Due to the lack of cap space the team has to navigate the free agent market, giving Perreault an extended run might be the best option.