The New York Rangers certainly have a type when it comes to players they often covet and pursue, and it is hard to imagine them not looking into the potential of signing free agent forward Mason Marchment. At 6'5" and 212 pounds, Marchment is a certified "big boi" and would fit the profile of players the Rangers have deployed in their lineup over the past few seasons. He has already played for five teams, and there's every reason to believe the Rangers hope they can be his sixth this upcoming season.
Marchment checks boxes of interest for Rangers
This season Marchment finished with 19 goals, 26 assists, and 45 points in 68 games split between the Seattle Kraken and Columbus Blue Jackets. Prior to this season he'd been a member of the Dallas Stars for three seasons, he spent two seasons in Florida, and just four games with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Marchment scored 22 goals in both of his final two seasons in Dallas, and he just finished short of 20 this year.
Over the course of an 82 game season he averages 21 goals, 31 assists, and 52 points, and that the type of player the Rangers would like to have for their second line. Ideally they'd prefer adding a top line talent to bump an incumbent down, but there aren't many options.
In addition to the offensive profile, Marchment is a disruptive pest who plays with an edge. He averages 122 hits a season, which isn't a lot, but he tends to make them count. The Rangers are always looking to have players who bring a blend of grit and skill, and they could look at Marchment as someone who turned a corner in Columbus.
He finished the year with 15 goals, 17 assists, and 32 points in 39 games averaging 17:41 per night, and that projects to 31 goals and 67 points over the course of an 82-game season. This is not to say that will be the norm for him, but it is encouraging enough for a team like the Rangers to consider.
Analytically he looked good for Columbus too, and in 560 minutes at 5v5 he posted a 69.04 GF%, a 54.92 CF%, and a 58.69 xGF% per Evolving-Hockey.
Rangers will face competition
Contenders are always in search of players like Marchment, and it won't be a surprise if a desperate team is willing to throw a bag of cash his way. The Rangers have money to burn, but if a bidding war were to break out, they are better off bowing out. There's a lot to like about Marchment, what he could do to help the team push for the playoffs next season, and do in a reduced role in the future, but the front office needs to be smart.
Making the playoffs is an obvious goal after missing two years in a row, but that doesn't mean the Rangers will force something that could jeopardize their future plans.
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