Defense, primarily on the left side, is a huge need for the New York Rangers heading into the 2025-26 season. There are a number of big names that the Blueshirts could pursue this summer, but there is one name out there that hasn't been mentioned that could be exactly what the Rangers need.
The Rangers left side currently features names like Carson Soucy, Urho Vaakanainen, and for the time being K'Andre Miller. Zac Jones is a restricted free agent who could come back, but it remains to be seen if he's someone Mike Sullivan wants to utilize. Focusing on the players who are likely to be here, neither Soucy or Vaakanainen project to be players who can both play with Adam Fox, and hold their own away from him,
It would have been great to have Calvin de Haan under contract, but when you consider how things deteriorated with him and the team after a lengthy healthy scratch stretch, he is as good as gone. It's a true shame, because he had the opportunity to be the team's next Erik Gustaffson. Gustafsson spent the 2023-24 season on Broadway on a $825,000 contract, but wasn't re-signed despite posting impressive results. There is an option in free agency who could help the Rangers, and he's a player that many aren't thinking about.
Joel Hanley turned 34 on June 8th, and just finished his first full season with the Calgary Flames. The veteran rear guard, who spent six seasons in Dallas and had cups of coffee in Arizona and Montreal, averaged 18:35 for the Flames and posted a line of 2-7-9 in 53 games. Offense isn't what the Rangers would be acquiring for, as they would love Hanley for his defense and puck possession game.
This past season, per Evolving-Hockey, Hanley had a 56.01 GF%, a 52.83 CF%, and a 50.88 xGF% in 883 minutes at 5v5. In 2023-24 he posted a 54.55 GF%, a 54.72 CF%, and a 51.69 xGF% in 426 minutes.
During the 2024-25 season Hanley was on the ice for just 1.81 goals against per 60 minutes, and the year prior he was on the ice for just 1.86 goals against per 60. These numbers are solid in a limited sample, and Hanley is exactly what the Rangers could use this upcoming season.
Hanley made just $787,500 the past two seasons, and isn't a player that should garner significant attention, The Rangers could offer him a contract starting at $1 million per season, and they could go as high as $1,5 million and be in decent shape. There is always the chance he wants to re-sign in Calgary given the opportunity they gave him, but at the very least I'd expect him to test the market and see what's out there. If he makes it there, President and General Manager Chris Drury would be wise to give his agent a call.