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My analysis on the Tarasenko acquisition and what remains for the Rangers |
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The Rangers bolstered their offense with the acquisition of Vladimir Tarasenko while also improving their defense with the inclusion of Niko Mikkola. GM Chris Drury was aggressive, making a decisive move three weeks and 11 games prior to the March 3 trade deadline. Making that move might have slightly added to the cost, but allowing extra time for the parts to mesh and also built up additional cap space - possibly allowing for another move - was worth the price to acquire.
Upside:
Tarasenko provides the Rangers a shoot first, true first-line right winger. New York has been mixing and matching on the top-two lines searching for a fit alongside either Mika Zibanejad or Vincent Trocheck. While his numbers are down this year, partially due to the hand injury that sidelined him slightly, historically, Tarasenko has been able to light the lamp; a needed commodity on these Blueshirts, who have been solid 5x5 but struggled to score.
Tarasenko, 31, scored between 33 and 40 goals in all six seasons between 2014-15 and 2021-22 in which he played more than 24 games. iIn addition, he provides proven playoff performance, as he was a significant factor in the Blues’ 2019 Stanley Cup championship. Tarasenko is also a big winger who can protect the puck and get to the net, qualities that fit in nicely with the Rangers.
The belief/expectation/hope is that Tarasenko will be the cure for whatever has ailed Artemi Panarin - who has gone seven straight without a goal (and tallied just one in the last dozen) - this season. As noted in the NY Post column below, Tarasenko has a history on and off the ice with his fellow countryman and friend. Tarasenko and Panarin were teammates on several Team Russias in international events, first in the 2011 World Juniors and last in the 2016 World Cup. They see the game the same way. Almost two years ago when Tarasenko asked out of St. Louis, he wanted to come to the Rangers, which is another reason why this deal was made.
GM Chris Drury likely viewed the cost to acquire Timo Meier, in assets, and Patrick Kane, in cap hit along with the concerns about his hip, as more than what Tarasenko ran. Not that he came cheap - more on that below - but potentially at a bit of a discount due to Tarasenko controlling where he wanted to go and he had the Rangers at the top of his list.
Tarasenko gets to play with an elite playmaker in Mika and a sublime passer in Panarin. Expect him to slot onto the first power play unit, replacing Vincent Trocheck and providing more lefty-righty balance to that unit. Tarasenko usually plays the spot occupied by Zib, so some adjustment will need to be made. But the PP, both first and second units, just got a lot more dangerous.
Mikkola wasn't putting up tremendous advanced metrics numbers in St. Louis, but the thought process and views seems to be some of that was due to the environment and style of play utilized there. He’s getting a new opportunity in New York, likely on the third pair, and is an upgrade over both Ben Harpur and Libor Hajek. Mikkola is a physical stay-at-home defenseman, who blocks shots and can also slot onto the penalty kill.
New York is 18-4-3 in the last month and really have not hit their stride. Drury looked at the record, the run made last season and areas of need and saw an opportunity to fill two holes at the same time. Give him and the organization credit for making a move, and making the deal now, affording the team time to mesh and see what other needs might exist prior to March 3.
Downside:
Not an inordinate amount. If Tarasenko's shooting struggles and inability to score continues in New York, that's a problem. Plus, if he is unable to help Panarin find his game, then the team has a bigger problem on it;s hands. In addition, if Panarin-Zib-Tarasenko doesn't mesh, then you are moving Chris Kreider up to that line and Panarin plays with Trocheck, which to date has not worked.
Giving up the first in a deep draft is never easy. But the extra three weeks to integrate Tarasenko and Mikkola on the team probably played a part in the cost. Same with what should end up a third rounder going in the deal. Drury kept the higher of the two picks, which hopefully proves to be beneficial down the road.
Mikkola is fine. He was not my choice and the defensive metrics are not kind. Jaycob Menga, who benefitted from skating next to Erik Karlssom, probably was near the top of my list. His cheap salary this year would have saved New York some cap space plus he is at the same cap figure next year, which would have been optimal. Seattle surrendered a fourth for him, which would have been doable.
I also preferred Olli Maatta or Dimitry Kulikov or Jake Wallman, not to mention Vladislav Gavrikov, though the latter's cost to acquire would have been a lot higher. If Mikkola can solidify the third pairing and help Braden Schendier grow, then the deal looks even better.
Now what?
Tarasenko and Mikkola fill two holes. But a gap still exists on the fourth line that Drury recognized in his post-trade press conference yesterday. If the top line can remain intact and the Kid Line is not separated, those six are set. Then the fun begins.
Kreider and Trocheck are two-thirds of the third line. Jimmy Vesey likely slides onto that trio with Barclay Goodorw centering the fourth line. Trocheck is better defensively than he has shown and Kreider is decent in that regard plus both can play a heavy game. Vesey style-wise dows fit there. Optimally, I would love to have Gallant try Vitali Kravtsov on that trio to see if his skill would play well opposite the two-thirds set on that line. But I don't foresee that happening, though if it did, then you have Vesey and Goodrow on your fourth line.
One other option would be to try Julien Gauthier again there to see if he would be a fit. Kravtsov would remain a scratch in that scenario, but you still would have Vesey and Goodrow on the fourth line. Will Cuylle, sent down yesterday, will get another shot, but I would leave him in the minors and let him see major minutes. If New York makes a trade, which is likely, old favorite Tyler Motte would be a fit, as would Nick Bjugstad, Nick Ritchie, Sam Lafferty or Andreas Athanasiou
Other views on Tarasenko and why deal was made now:
Athletic:
Daily Faceoff
Various Trade Analyses and Grades:
Athletic:
Bleacher Report:
Daily Faceoff:
ESPN:
Hockey Writers:
NY Post:
A little more buzz has been created at the Garden. Tarasenko and Mikkola make their debuts tonight against Seattle. Three weeks until the trade deadline and Drury has shown he is all in.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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