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With Dvorak in Montreal, could Hertl be the Rangers' target if no Eichel? |
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The Christian Dvorak train, which many were on, has now left the station, heading from the Coyotes to the Canadiens. Montreal used the 2022 first round pick acquired from Carolina when the offer sheet to Jesper Kotkaniemi was not matched, or at least the receipt of an additional pick, as the actual first rounder is still TBD, paired with a 2024 second rounder to acquire Dvorak. While he won't add much toughness, Dvorak plays a reliable two-way game and he'll likely feature in a middle-six role, though for now he will slot into the 2C role vacated when Phillip Danault signed with LA. Dvorak is under contract for four more years with a cap hit of $4.45 million.
Given the cost of a first and a future second round pick, were you paying that for Dvorak? I think we all believe Dvorak has a bit more offense in his game, which was partially held back by the talent around him, as he scored between 31 and 38 points in four of his last five seasons, excluding the 2018-19 season when he was limited to just 22 games. Where Dvorak would have helped is between the dots, as he has historically won over 50% of his draws. But if looking for a player who provides a physical presence on the ice, Dvorak was not your man, as that is not really his game.
For Montreal, they get a bit more cost certainty in Dvorak, as they know his salary, Though if you believe what has been reported, Kotkaniemi's potential long-term deal that may be in the works could come in at a figure relatively close to where Dvorak is. In addition, he is four years younger than Dvorak, will benefit from the structure, system and talent in Carolina and should get a chance to mature and grow there, as he was rushed by the Habs and did not warrant being the third overall pick in 2018.
The Rangers saw another possible target go. With Jack Eichel slated to have surgery - eventually - and be sidelined likely until December, the team can determine their future direction. If Eichel proves to be a pipe dream and Filip Chytil does not develop as a second or third line center, who might be next on the horizon? If you believe the reports that he wants out of San Jose, driven by the team's handling of the Evander Kane situation, Tomas Hertl could be the target.
Hertl is set to enter the final year of his four-year, $22.5 million deal signed on July 2, 2018. As the Athletic listed, injuries have been a big part of his history. "Hertl has endured multiple knee injuries throughout his career, tearing the MCL and PCL in his right knee less than three months into his career in December 2013; injuring the knee again in the 2016 Stanley Cup Final, and again in November of that same year, forcing him from the lineup for more than two months. Hertl also tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee in January 2020, ending his season prematurely."
That history clearly raised some flags, but if New York is still interested in Eichel, despite the neck surgery forthcoming, the. you would think Hertl's past might be a precluding factor. Shifted between left wing and center, Hertl has won nearly 53% of his draws in his career. Last season, he tallied 19 goals and 24 assists in 50 games, scoring 32 points in the final 33 games.
Hertl, taken 17th overall by the Sharks in 2012, has 323 points (151 goals, 172 assists) in 503 career games over eight seasons. He ranks third in scoring among his draft class. In the past, he has spoken about staying by the Bay, but the current Kane situation could change his thinking. Hertil will be 28 in November and if he makes it to free agency, are you willing to sign him to a seven-year deal at around $8 million per annum given his age and injury history?
I am a big Hertl fan. In addition, because he has spent his career on the West Coast and was largely overshadowed by Joe Thornton in San Jose, I think he is a bit undervalued. Like Dvorak, he isn't going to provide a physical presence, but he is better offensively, though almost three years older. If New York ends up with a choice between Hertl and Trocheck, who I covered in a prior blog, give me Trocheck. In addition, for all we know, Ryan Strome might end up an option, but to me, he would be the lesser of the three, despite his familiarity with the system and chemistry with Artemi Panarin.
I am out of pocket starting tonight until Wednesday night for the holiday. Will be interesting to see if any news breaks while I am out, though given what we have seen to date, to me, that's unlikely. Of course, now some big news will break.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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