The Rangers head into Friday's draft with just one pick in the first three rounds. Per Larry Brooks, and in line with what has been reported elsewhere and what we expect, that all could change at or before the Sphere. In addition, with free agency starting Monday, New York is planning to be aggressive. possibly moving several assets as they look to restructure to make another run
Let's go
point by point through Brooks' column with my thoughts thereafter:
While the free-agent market does not open until Monday — and we can reinforce that both Patrick Kane and Steven Stamkos have piqued GM Chris Drury’s and the hierarchy’s interest — the Blueshirts could do some business on the draft floor Friday.
The interest in
Kane was reported earlier this week and seems to also be gaining traction. Detroit is still in the mix, so it's possible Kane ends up back there. If not, the market will be robust for him. Kane wants a chance at redemption with the Blueshirts, as he was far from 100% while there due to his hip injury that required surgery after the 2023 playoffs.
Kane had a solid year last season, though much of his production and advanced metrics show a player who relied on the PP for his output. A look at his 5x5 and defensive metrics tell another story. He certainly would fill a top-six right wing role and has the playoff pedigree. But he doesn't make this team tougher and harder to play against physically. This is one that could go either way.
Stamkos is still effective, as seen by his 40 goals this year. Nearly half his 81 points came on the power play, partially contributing to his minus-21 rating. In addition, can he move to right wing, as using him as the third line center seems to be a waste of his talent. I still think he ends up back in Tampa, but the longer he remains unsigned, the greater the possibility he goes elsewhere.
There is every chance Drury will make a deal on the floor at the Sphere as the Blueshirts look to move up from their 30th overall spot — that’s what you get for finishing with 114 points and losing in the conference finals — by using Kaapo Kakko as part of the allure
Perhaps Jerff Gorton, now exec VP of hockey operations for the Canadiens, would have some interest in Kakko, whom he selected second overall as Blueshirts GM in 2019. The Canadiens have the fifth and 26th overall picks in the first round.
The Rangers’ 30th overall represents the club’s only pick through the first three rounds, so if efforts to move up do not succeed, Drury could look to move that first-rounder for multiple picks in the second or third rounds.
We said when Kakko was signed that it was not certain he would remain a Ranger. The contract made it just as likely he would be dealt as there was cost certainty in his deal. Personally, I think giving him to move up a few spots in the draft is a foolish and insufficient use of an asset. I don't think he takes a Lafreniere like leap this season, but as a solid third line wing who can check, be physical and possibly score 15 or so goals, $2.4 million is not an overpayment.
I think if the Rangers don't move up, sliding down to get a second and third is not a bad strategy. Granted, this takes away James Dolan's ability to parade out his pick in front of all the guests at the Sphere, but so be it.
Late momentum seems to be building around a potential trade of Jacob Trouba, whose 15-team no-trade list is due Monday but has been requested a bit earlier than that. As of early in the week, my best information was that the team was not going to aggressively market the captain — who has two years remaining at an $8 million cap hit per — but rather would listen to offers. That appears to have changed over the last 48 hours.
The Rangers have no credible replacement within the organization for Trouba. If they were to move the most physical and menacing defenseman on a team that was not physical or menacing enough against Florida, they would have to acquire a replacement via trade or free agency.
There are no replicas on the free-agent market. We’re told the Rangers like impending Dallas righty free agent Chris Tanev, but the 34-year-old would cost if he gets to the market. I don’t see the Blueshirts investing $5M-plus on a third-pair righty, but the club would also have to replace Trouba on the club’s first penalty kill unit.
Anaheim’s 34-year-old righty Radko Gudas, a mean one who was fifth in the NHL in hits among defenseman with 232 in 66 games (Trouba had 191 in 69 games) and who has two years remaining on his contract at an annual cap hit of $4M, could be a trade target if Trouba is dealt.
The Rangers asked Trouba for his 15-team no-trade list today. Much was made that this is the norm, but as shown late in the day, that is not the case. Asking Trouba for that list is a sign that the team is aggressively looking to move him.
I know that many are not fans of.Trouba. His lack of footspeed and his penchant for the big hit has put him out of position. But it's that big hit that has turned games when contact is made, legally. Criticism of Trouba's leadership style has also been questioned at times, but as seen during the Chicago games two years ago and his willingness to speak up, that may be overblown.
The $8 salary and third-line pair placement are the two drivers for moving Trouba. Dealing him to the Western Conference would be a better landing spot, reducing the games he would end up facing New York. Drury placed too much reliance on his production and deployment in Winnipeg, failing to realize his usage in New York would be vastly different. If cap room is to be freed up, this looks to be the way, though I am less down on Trouba than many.
I like Tanev, but I think too much has been of his play in Dallas and not sure that's sustainable for several years. Gudas can hit but I have never thought of him as a shut down or top pairing blueliner. Tyler Myers' name has come up, but he too lacks skating speed.
The Rangers, we have it on good authority, are not shopping Filip Chytil. Indeed, management has Chytil — working out without restriction in Czechia after getting the all-clear — penciled in as the third line center. I guess that ends the concept of acquiring a matchup, physical centerman to anchor the third line.
We thought Chytil might be a fit at right wing but that clearly looks not to be the case. Chytil took a major step forward in the 2022 playoffs and the 2023 season. He certainly fits as a third line center but his usage there means that the configuration of that line changes from a checking to a scoring unit. If the goal is to revamp the team slightly or broadly, there are limited opportunities and places to do so.
Drury expressed interest in Tanner Jeannot leading up to the 2023 deadline before the Predators were able to extract an enormous price —five draft picks, including a first and second, plus a young defenseman — for the physical winger from the Lightning.
Tampa Bay is looking to move on from the 27-year-old Jeannot, who has one year left on his contract at a $2.75M cap charge ahead of unrestricted free agency. If Jeannot is available as a distressed asset, it could work for the Blueshirts.
Jeannot could fit on the third line, but that would depend on the cost to acquire. Adding him would be an interesting move, though I am less sold on going in that direction. He would be a short-term move to provide physicality to the lineup.
At the
NHL Awards, Artemi Panarin was selected as the First All-Star Team left winger while finishing fifth in Hart Trophy. Adam Fox made the Second All-Star Team and finished fourth in Norris Trophy voting. Igor Shesterkin placed fourth in the Vezina voting.
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