Breaking down the New York Rangers ahead of NHL Trade Deadline Day.
Deadline approach
The New York Rangers will be: Buyers and sellers
Pending free agents
Unrestricted: 13 | Restricted: 12 | See full list
[teamleaders league=”nhl” team=”nyr” season”2014″]
Rangers overview
The Rangers got off to a surprisingly wobbly start this season, coughing up way too many goals and lurching out of a playoff spot despite seemingly having all the pieces in place for a serious Stanley Cup run come spring. They righted the ship before Christmas, though, and entering the Olympic break, they were comfortably back in a playoff position and looking like a team that belonged there.
They’re likely to be both buyers and sellers at the deadline. The Rangers have several major UFA contracts expiring — captain Ryan Callahan being the biggest — and it probably won’t be possible to re-up everybody, so they’ll be looking for trade partners to make sure they don’t lose them for nothing. At the same time, though, the Rangers are in it to win it now, so they’ll be looking for good return and/or doing their own shopping for pieces that can help them immediately.
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| Click player positions to see depth chart | ||
Areas to address
(UPDATE: Girardi signs six-year extension | Full story)
The Rangers are in the odd position of both buying and selling, trying to make sure they don’t lose big-name pending UFAs for nothing while keeping the shelves stocked with players who can make an immediate impact in this season’s playoff run. Callahan reportedly wants a whole lot more (seven years at $6-million each) than the Rangers are willing or able to give him. A Callahan-for-Chris Stewart trade with the Blues has been floated as a possibility so they get a decent return, and the Blue Jackets may also be in the market for Callahan’s services, with their scouts spotted at Ranger games.
A promising but inexpensive young forward and an offensive defenceman would be strong additions to the lineup — the latter in particular, because the Rangers sent Michael Del Zotto (who did not find favour with head coach Alain Vigneault) to Nashville in January in order to acquire d-man Kevin Klein.
Possible trade targets
Jamie McGinn, Colorado Avalanche
Dan Boyle, San Jose Sharks
