Vol. 2 of the trade deadline preview: how can the Rangers improve the bottom six?

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For the third year in a row, the New York Rangers will be looking to add pieces for a Stanley Cup run at the trade deadline. In Vol. 1 of the trade deadline preview, we looked at the Rangers’ best options to acquire for their top line. Here in Vol. 2, we will look at perhaps an even more crucial (and realistic) area of improvement for this team: the bottom six. While no one expects the bottom six to carry this team, they have fallen short of expectations this year. If the Rangers are serious about a Stanley Cup run, they have to make at least one move to add some scoring and speed to the bottom of their lineup.

Current Lines:

The Rangers been on a bit of rollercoaster in terms of roster news in the weeks leading up to the All-Star break. First, the team announced that Nick Bonino, who had played 45 games this year, was placed on waivers on January 25th. Then, after returning to practice with the team, Filip Chytil fell to the ice during an optional skate on January 26th and sustained an unspecified injury. Chytil’s setback, which seems to be related to the concussion he has been working his way back from, will end his season. The heartbreaking news leaves the Rangers and Chris Drury with two concerns, one, most importantly, for Chytil’s well-being and one for how they will improve a team that has been struggling for almost two months now.

With Chytil done for the year, the Rangers’ bottom six projects to look like this going forward:

Cuylle - Brodzinski - Wheeler
Vesey - Goodrow - Pitlick

It is no secret that this is a group that has struggled to score or put any pressure on opponents. Bonino, Barclay Goodrow, Jonny Brodzinski, and Tyler Pitlick have combined for just five goals, and none of the Rangers’ spot call ups have been able to provide much offense. Jimmy Vesey (9-5-14P in 47G) and Will Cuylle (8-6-14P in 49G) have been the only bright spots, but even Vesey has tailed off after scoring seven goals in 19 games between 11/4 and 12/15. There is no doubt that there is improvement to be had. Let’s dive into some of guys that would instantly make the Rangers’ bottom six more dangerous.

Trade Options:

Boone Jenner (C): 13-5-18P in 35GP, 3 yr, $3.75M AAV Remaining

When it comes to combining grit and leadership, few do it better than Boone Jenner. Add in a dash of scoring touch and he is a player that the Rangers should be throwing themselves at. As the captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Jenner has the tough task of leading a team through a season where they sit last in the Metro by a wide margin. Despite this, he continuously plays hard and leads by example. Beyond adding leadership and accountability to the locker room, Jenner boasts a positive Corsi%, a 54.7% win rate on his draws, and his 13 goals would be fifth on the Rangers.

Boone Jenner would be a huge addition both on and off the ice for the Rangers / Bruce Bennett/GettyImages

With the Blue Jackets rebuild in full swing, they might be willing to move off Jenner for some young assets. For the Rangers, he would be a defensively responsible 3C with some scoring upside with term remaining on his deal. Because of that last aspect, it might require a slightly higher price to incentivize the Jackets to send Jenner to New York. However, with the transaction history between these two teams, it would not be shocking if they linked up once again.

Adam Henrique (C): 15-18-33P in 49GP, 1 yr, $5.825M Remaining

Henrique is probably the most polarizing player on this list. His name has been thrown around Rangers Twitter for a while now with mixed opinions. He is the type of offensive threat that the Rangers need to add to their lineup, but some have questioned whether he is the right guy to spend top-end assets on. However, I think this doubt is for two reasons: 1. Rangers fans would rather trade for his teammate Frank Vatrano 2. Rangers fans liked Sean Monahan better. Well, Sean Monahan is now gone and who is to say that another team won’t beat the Rangers out for Vatrano. Henrique is an excellent all-around player and would give the Rangers lineup an instant shot in the arm.

A solid playoff run for Adam Henrique in New York would help Rangers' fans move past his time with the Devils / Sean M. Haffey/GettyImages

As for price, Henrique will likely go for something similar to Monahan. Montreal set the market for a 3C at a first round pick, though Monahan’s contract ($2M) is much more digestible for cap strapped teams than Henrique’s. That should bring the price down a bit, but I imagine a second-rounder packaged with another pick or a prospect would be a reasonable expectation.

Nick Bjugstad (C): 10-17-27P in 48GP, 2 yr, $2.1M AAV Remaining

An underrated name to watch this year, Nick Bjugstad has quietly put together a solid season in Arizona. At 6-6, 209 lbs, he not only a big and physical center, but is deceptively fast and has some scoring touch. Add in solid possession numbers and the ability to win over 50% of his faceoffs, and Bjugstad would bring a little bit of everything to a Rangers team that needs a bit of everything.

Nick Bjugstad should be on contenders' radars if the 'Yotes decide to sell at the deadline / Zac BonDurant/GettyImages

The main question with Bjugstad is whether the Coyotes want to part with him. They have overachieved this year and could theoretically contend for a playoff spot. Since Bjugstad has another year on his deal after this season, Arizona doesn’t have to worry about losing him for nothing over the offseason. Even with the extra year, he would not be as expensive as some of the other options on the market. If Arizona is willing to part with him, Bjugstad is a solid option for Drury to pursue if his wants to keep his high-end assets.

Nic Dowd (C): 7-6-13P in 38GP, 2 yr, $1.3M AAV Remaining

Nic Dowd is a player Rangers fans are very familiar with, as he has played the last six seasons with the Washington Capitals. The Caps have tailed off after a hot start to the season, currently finding themselves seventh in the Metro and most likely will be sellers at the deadline. Dowd is a gritty player with some offensive upside, as he is on pace for double-digit goals for the fourth straight season. He wins right around 50% of his faceoffs and would immediately become the Rangers’ best 4C option.

Rangers fans have a bit too much of Nic Dowd over the past few years / Bruce Bennett/GettyImages

Dowd is the type of player that is always in demand at the trade deadline and should have a few teams calling about him. The fact that he has an extra year on his deal will make him more attractive. His price should be in the range of third rounder and may get bid up the more teams get involved.

Nicolas Aubé-Kubel (RW): 5-8-13P in 35GP, 1 yr, $1.225M Remaining

Nicolas Aubé-Kubel is an underrated name to watch for at the deadline / Scott Taetsch/GettyImages

In addition to some scoring, the Rangers desperately need some more speed in their bottom six. Enter Nicolas Aubé-Kubel. The Capitals’ right-winger is speed, as he currently ranks in the 96th percentile amongst NHL forwards for top skating speed and in the 93rd percentile for bursts over 20 MPH. Beyond that, he does have some scoring ability and is willing to throw a hit here and there. His roll with the Rangers would be to keep opposing defenders honest, as he able to generate a breakaway if he gets lost in transition. As it currently stands, the Rangers do not have a winger in their bottom six with that ability. Considering that he would come fairly cheap, this is low risk move for Chris Drury to consider.

Yakov Trenin (LW/C): 8-3-11P in 48GP, 1 yr, $1.7M Remaining

While he does not offer the speed of Aubé-Kubel, Yakov Tenin would offer an all-around skillset and steadying presence to the Rangers’ fourth line. He usually plays on the wing, but has the ability to slide over to center (46.7% on faceoffs this season). Trenin has the shown the ability to score goals (17 and 12 the past two seasons) and a willingness to use his 6-2, 201 lb frame to lay hits and keep opponents away from the crease.

Yakov Trenin could be on the move if Nashville slips out of the playoff race / Jacob Kupferman/GettyImages

Trenin’s availability will depend on how the next few weeks go for Nashville. Preds’ GM Barry Trotz has not committed to whether or not he is going to sell his pending free agents at the deadline, and Nashville currently sits two points out of a playoff spot in the West. Trenin likely does not factor into the Predators’ plans beyond this season and would at least fetch a mid-round draft pick. For the Rangers, that is a good price for a player that would be a big upgrade over Tyler Pitlick or anyone else Laviolette can currently slot onto the fourth line with Jimmy Vesey.

My Take:

The Rangers need to at the very least acquire a third-line center. Jonny Brodzinski has filled in admirably in Filip Chytil’s absence, but realistically is the not the answer for the remainder of the season. If Drury trades for Adam Henrique or Boone Jenner (my top-two picks from this list), then the lineup immediately becomes much deeper down the middle. Henrique or Jenner would add some scoring and leadership to the third line, while Brodzinski shifting down a spot adds some much-needed speed the fourth line.

As for a winger, this will likely depend on if Drury is able to acquire someone for the first line. If the Rangers do trade for a first line winger, that likely pushes Kaapo Kakko down to the third line and either Blake Wheeler or Will Cuylle to the fourth line. In that scenario, I could see Drury opting to use his assets on a veteran seventh defenseman. However, if that does not happen, then Trenin or Aubé-Kubel become borderline necessities. The Rangers bottom six needs to be more dynamic, and unfortunately a fourth line with Barclay Goodrow and Tyler Pitlick is not going to cut it in the playoffs. In an ideal world, they are both extra forwards, though Goodrow’s salary and position as an assistant captain make it unlikely he will be in the press box any time soon. The old adage that you need to be able to role four lines to win the Cup is a classic for a reason. Look no further than Vegas’s lineup depth last season. If the Rangers want to follow in their footsteps, then an addition or two to their bottom six will be necessary come deadline day.

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