The Rangers have for the most part stayed away from partaking in free agency. Part of that might have been due to the lack of available funds while another related portion could have been the sticker shock over some of the contracts handed out at the upper end of the player spectrum. New York signed Sam Carrick to a three year deal with a $1 million AAV and brought back Chad Ruhwedel on a one-year, two-way deal at the veteran minimum. Beyond that, nada.

GM Chris Drury’s big move July 1 was the acquisition of Reilly Smith via trade from Pittsburgh. As I mentioned in my write up after day 1, the only player I felt the team really missed out on based on price point and fit was Victor Arvidsson, who went to Edmonton. Arvidsson likely saw a better opportunity there, so hard to fully criticize Drury since it takes two sides to make a match.

My view on Daniel Sprong landing with Vancouver on a one-year, 975K deal is similar to Arvidsson. But my level of notable and criticism is slightly raised. I understand Drury wanting to keep salary and roster space open for players like Brennan Othmann and Adam Sykora. But you also have to protect the downside risk of one or more them not being ready for the role.

Sprong's analytics:

Sprong is the Phil Kessel of fourth liners. #Canucks pic.twitter.com/M9Je7PFP94

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 20, 2024

Daniel Sprong has signed with the Vancouver Canucks to a one-year, $975K deal. That's a great value for Vancouver in my eyes. Sprong has been very effective offensive forward since ~2022. pic.twitter.com/SglbX61M2g

— Rono (@RonoAnalyst) July 20, 2024

As of now, Will Cuylle is penciled in as the third line left wing with Kaapo Kakko llkely the opposite wing in that unit. The fourth line will have lots of candidates including Matt Rempe, Jimmy Vesey, Bo Groulx, Adam Edstrom, Carrick, Sykora and maybe others. You can argue the logic of not adding Sprong makes sense ti a certain extent. Add in the fact that Sprong thrives on PP TOI, is weak 5x5, plus poor defensively and a strong case is made. In addition, his production wanes as the season wears on. But on the flip side, it’s 975k. If Sprong proves unworthy of a roster spot, you can bury him initially in the press or try and pass him through waivers and send him down. However, if Kakko struggles again or one of the kids is not yet ready, what’s the fall back option?

With few other remaining options available in free agency, adding Sprong for the short-term, upside potential would have made sense. The failure to do so is on Drury. While it’s not a massive swing and miss, there is little safety net for the Rangers at right wing.
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