Should the New York Rangers place a waiver claim for Ryan Dzingel?
Less than 24 hours after acquiring forward Ryan Dzingel from the Arizona Coyotes, the Toronto Maple Leafs have placed him on waivers. If he clears he will be sent to their AHL affiliate.
Dzingel, 29, can play any forward position and is on an expiring deal that hits the cap at $1.1 million. He was centering the Coyotes third line but is weak in the faceoff dot making him more of an option at the wing position.
With the New York Rangers in need of some scoring help, especially with Kaapo Kaako out for another three weeks, maybe they should put in a claim for Dzingel.
Ryan Dzingel on waivers
The Toronto Maple Leafs placed forward Ryan Dzingel on waivers, one day after acquiring him in a trade with the Arizona Coyotes.
Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters Sunday that Dzingel will be assigned to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies if he clears waivers.
Toronto traded forward Nick Ritchie and a draft pick to the Coyotes on Saturday night in exchange for Dzingel and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin.
UPDATE: San Jose Sharks claim Dzingel (2:05 PM ET)
Ryan Dzingel could help the Rangers
Dzingel tallied seven points (four goals, three assists) in 26 games for Arizona this season. He has 187 points (86 goals, 101 assists) and 191 penalty minutes in 398 contests with the Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets, Carolina Hurricanes and Coyotes.
He would be worth a claim, even if it just for a temporary fix until Kakko returns. Placing Dzingel on a line with Ryan Strome and Artemi Panarin allows Gerard Gallant to drop Barclay Goodrow to improve his third line.
At his cap hit of just $1.1 million, it still gives Rangers flexibility to bury all but $100K in the minors if they want to spend to the cap at the NHL Trade Deadline. His former teammate in Ottawa, Bobby Ryan certainly thinks he could be a huge help.
“Imagine having Dzingel, on almost any team and rolling him out minimally,” Ryan said. ”I just don’t get it. Put him on your second line with a good center and he gets you 15-25 for a million bucks?”
I agree with him. Take a chance and put in a claim. It won’t cost an asset and the reward is much greater than the risk.
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-Field Level Media contributed to this report.
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