The New York Rangers are continuing their rebuild as they will miss the playoffs for a second straight season. They hold enough trade assets to make this an intriguing trade deadline for them.
A big question is this. Will Jeff Gorton cash all his chips in, some, or just a couple? Let’s take a look at what is out there.
New York Rangers — Facts and figures
New York possesses a modest amount of cap space currently at $7.72 million. Also, they can add several contracts since they are six under the limit of 50. The only concerns are some signing bonuses but most of their performance based numbers should be safe. Furthermore, the Rangers carry several attractive players that could be traded for. They expect to fetch good returns. The only wrinkle is that management and some players do not want a separation. How much of that is to heighten value more? No one is sure.
One thing that is sure is that some moves are likely. New York languishing around .500 all season assures that. The team allows over 3.3 goals a game and scores just under 3 a contest. Their top line is one of the best in the league but their defense is among the worst. Henrik Lundqvist turns in some vintage performances but he is aging rapidly. There are prospects waiting in the wings at quite a few positions. Can the New York Rangers garner some help short and long-term at this deadline? First, it is time to see what targets they can dangle.
New York Rangers targets to sell…
Mats Zuccarello — Zuccarello is 31 but has lots left in the tank considering his 22 points in the last 16 games. The winger playing on an expiring contract makes him easy to move. Also, his value keeps rising. Some suggest a second-round pick and a prospect/player may be the return. Is that enough for the general manager to pull the trigger? There are conflicting reports suggesting that Zuccarello could be re-signed. It’s difficult believing what is true and what is not this time of year. His possession metrics have risen to +3.5% above team relative. Zuccarello thanking Mika Zibanejad for that would be a good idea. All that being said, the diminutive winger is a chip likely to move once some bigger pieces move.
Kevin Hayes — Hayes performing so much better overall this year compared to the last two years makes one wonder what New York may do. He tallied 14 goals and 42 points in 50 games so far. Yes, his goals and shot volume should be a bit higher but the two-way game gets more praise. The forwards deployed in the offensive zone 6% higher than last season helps. His possession metrics relative to team rose to almost +7% above the team average. Imagine what he may do in a Boston or Nashville. He presents another case of do you keep or trade? Jeff Gorton probably has to trade him but for how much? The market for Hayes depends again on what happens in the next 24-48 hours.
Adam McQuaid — McQuaid injured on Thursday night was taken out for precautionary reasons. It appears the defenseman will be just fine. He earns $2.75 million AAV in the final year of his deal. He is a fairly steady, hard-hitting defenseman. That makes for a nice 5-6 slot blueliner for a postseason push. McQuaid returning a late-round pick, maybe a fourth would not be surprising.
Among the non-rentals…
Chris Kreider — Kreider appears the least likely to move. He makes $4.625 million for 2019-20. Also, he is on pace to set career highs in goals, assists, and points. Kreider could be in the top ten for power-play goals and net 30 goals on the year. The feeling is Jeff Gorton and company may extend him sooner rather than later. Again, this is early speculation and things can change in a New York minute. Kreider getting a good return back would help as the Rangers do not have a fourth or seventh round pick. Though, a pick and mid-level prospect might suffice here. The key word is might as the price could go up. Again, Kreider expects to stay in New York.
Vladimir Namestnikov — The trade from Tampa Bay hurt Namestnikov a ton. This was a player on the rise with 50-60 point potential. Now, he struggles to get near a point every other game. Twenty points in 55 contests pails in comparison to his Tampa Bay production. The New York Rangers thought they were getting a better player. Namestnikov looks better of late with three goals in his last four games. However, shopping of the forward has been going on for some time. If Jeff Gorton finds a deal suitable, he likely pulls the trigger.
A final thought or two…
Who gets traded is anyone’s guess? It looked like the New York Rangers may do little last year and then the Ryan McDonagh trade occurred. So, anything goes until the clock strikes 3 on Monday afternoon and maybe a little after.
