It’s not exactly classified information that the New York Rangers have been looking around the league for some goaltending help.
And no, the Blueshirts are not really looking to acquire Connor Hellebuyck. In fact, as insider Elliotte Friedman reported, the Rangers are looking at a couple of other goalies.
During the latest edition of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, New York has scouted Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Karel Vejmelka.
“Vejmelka and Luukkonen are two of the guys they’ve scouted.”
The phrase seems to signal that there are others that goalie scout Scott Clemmensen has checked in on. Friedman also made another interesting comment regarding Clemmensen’s extended road trip.
“I heard he was in Calgary last week when Anaheim was there. So, he was maybe looking at (Ville Husso), but the Ducks don’t have a lot of depth in goal. So, I don’t know if I see that.”
Husso could make sense as a third-string option behind Dylan Garand and eventually Joonas Korpisalo. But Clemmensen might have also wanted to check out other options. Friedman mentioned that Clemmensen might have also caught an AHL game in Calgary.
So, it seems that the Rangers are really doing their do due diligence on what options may be out there.
Rangers could be major players in Connor Hellebuyck deal, but not for an obvious reason
One thing that Friedman was adamant about was the fact that the Rangers could be major players in a Connor Hellebuyck deal. But that won’t be because they are going to acquire the Winnipeg Jets netminder.
Instead, the Rangers could pull off a separate deal, which could lead to a “chain reaction,” prompting a Hellebuyck trade.
“Whatever Chris Drury is going to do here with the injury to Shesterkin, it could set a chain reaction around the league.”
One of the things that Friedman hinted at was that the Rangers could be looking into Utah Mammoth goalie Karel Vejmelka. And since the notable insider pointed out that Utah is a frontrunner for Hellebuyck, it might just be that a Vejmelka deal to the Rangers could be the tripwire that sets off a Connor Hellebuyck deal.
If that were the case, the Mammoth might have some incentive to get a deal done quickly. The Rangers, for their part, aren’t in any real rush. Dylan Garand followed up his awful showing against the New Jersey Devils with a 28-save performance in a 1-0 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
That’s why, at least on Chris Drury’s part, there is no real need to make a deal now. Let’s see if another team’s insistence, like Utah, could spur a major move.
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