“It’s hard not to watch these playoffs and notice the physicality, the energy, the effort and the intensity it takes to win and to succeed and we’re certainly going to need to play that way to have success in the regular season and in the playoffs,” he said. “We’re always looking at ways to improve the lineup, to add different pieces, just like every team in the league, and every team in the league is watching these playoffs – you know we all want harder players to play against and we’re no different.”

Below is a baker’s dozen of UFA targets for the Rangers this summer including their position, age, and last contract AAV. The tiers and players are also ranked from highest to lowest.

New York Rangers UFA Targets: Top Priority

When we look at the Rangers, there’s no doubt that reshaping their third and fourth line is now a top priority. The following five players are exactly what Gerard Gallant will need on his roster to not only play the way he wants, but to compete in the postseason when the games become harder.

Casey Cizikas (Center – 30 y/o – $3.35M AAV): The Islanders “Identity Line” center should be the top free agent the Rangers should target. He wins draws, and scores clutch goals in the postseason. Cizikas isn’t physically imposing at 5-11 and 195 lbs but he plays so much bigger than his size.

Blake Coleman (Center – 29 y/o – $1.8M AAV): The center turned winger had himself an excellent season for the Tampa Bay Lightning with 31 points in 55 games. At 5-11 and 200 lbs, he is a solid forward who is aggressive on the puck, and hits with purpose. This season he racked up 109 hits but has been known to throw his body a lot more.

Jordan Martinook (Forward – 29 y/o – $2M AAV): Martinook is ferocious forechecker and physical player that refuses to back down. In 2018-19 he registered 199 hits to go along with 46 blocks playing in all 82 games for the Hurricanes. The guy is also vocal in the locker-room, beloved by his teammates, and wears a letter on his sweater too. If the Rangers could get him at just a small increase to his last deal, he’s be a great fourth liner.

Barclay Goodrow (Center – 28 y/o – $925K AAV): Another member of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Goodrow is a big man at 6-2 and 215 lbs. This season he scored 20 points in 55 games. For his career, he wins 52% of the draws he takes and would be a nice 4th line pivot if Cizikas can’t be signed.

Luke Glendening (Center – 32 y/o – $1.8M AAV): Offensively, Glendening is not going to bring much to the table, but that’s not why you would sign him. For his career, he has a winning FO% of 54.8 and is without a doubt a specialist.

Secondary Targets

The Rangers are said to be in the market for a veteran defenseman, preferably someone with big game experience. This falls under a nice-to-have bucket, but I would not overpay to add to a position of strength, albeit a very young position.

Jamie Oleksiak (Left Defense – 28 y/o – $2.1M AAV): Dallas is rumored to do whatever it takes to sign him before free agency begins. So it is very possible he won’t be there when the bell rings to open up the buying. However, if he is the Rangers should look to add him. Should they go this route, that likely means K’Andre Miller will be slotted for less minutes on the third pair.

Niklas Hjalmarsson (Left Defense – 34 y/o – $5M AAV): If the Rangers are looking for someone with Stanley Cup experience on a short term deal to shore up their third pair, Hjalmarsson would be a smart move. During his heyday with the Blackhawks, he helped drive puck possession and won Cups. The question is what does he think he’s worth after picking up just 5 points in 41 games for the Coyotes this past season.

Zdeno Chara (Left Defense – 44 y/o – $795K AAV): This elder statesman and future Hall of Famer actually considered the Rangers before signing with the Capitals. He has yet to decide if he will continue his career, but a one year deal at under a million would make sense for Drury.

Marc Staal (Left Defense – 34 y/o – $5.7M AAV): He knows the pressures of playing in NY after 13 seasons on Broadway. He was also teammates with Drury from 2007-2011, and could be a low-cost add as a 6th or 7th defender. However, the Detroit Red Wings have already shown interest in re-signing him after playing a huge leadership role for their young defense.

Big Fish: Proceed with caution

There’s plenty of big free agents out there. Some, like Alex Ovechkin and Gabriel Landeskog will remain there until the expansion draft passes and then sign with their current teams. However, there are other names that would be serious upgrades for the Rangers but have major risks.

Age is one factor because these UFA’s will get multi-year deals on the open market. They will also command salaries north of $5 million which could have cap implications for years to come.

Phillip Danault (Center – 28 y/o – $3M AAV): Would you spend $6 million plus on a third line center? During the regular season, he put up a respectable 24 points in 53 games. His face-off percentage of 52.5 shows his consistency and effectiveness in the dots. For his career, he wins 53.8% of the draws he takes. He is a shutdown center who is respectable offensively. This is the one player on this list I would certainly take the risk with.

Alec Martinez (Left Defense – 34 y/o – $4M AAV): He is a proven winner, and Rangers fans are painfully aware of it after he scored the Cup winning goal against Henrik Lundqvist in 2014. Martinez would automatically jump into the top four, which would push Miller to a third pair role. There’s mutual interest in staying with Vegas so he may not be around come July 28 anyway.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Forward – 28 y/o – $6M AAV): There’s still a lot of belief that RNH and the Oilers will come to terms. The center turned winger could easily shift back down the middle if the Rangers feel he would be an upgrade over Strome. I am not sure that is a guarantee as he only scored 35 points in 52 games playing on a team with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Strome for what it’s worth scored 49 points.

Zach Hyman (Left Wing 29 y/o – $2.25M AAV): If the Rangers want to be harder to play against, Zach Hyman is that type of player. Problem is he is looking for over $6 million per season on a 6-7 year deal. That’s a big risk at his age. Plus he’s a left wing and the Rangers are overloaded there. Still, he does fit the bill for what Gallant and Drury want to do.

Latest NHL Rumors

The Golden Knights are on deck for Jack Eichel. Read more here.

That’s why many feel unrestricted free agent defenseman Alec Martinez would be a great fit.

Alec Martinez would be perfect on the Rangers but…

The Vegas Golden Knights defenseman, would be a perfect addition to this young Rangers blue-line. He is a proven winner. A fact the Blueshirts fanbase knows all too well after he ended the team’s Stanley Cup dreams in 2014.

The left defender will be 34 years-old when free agency opens on July 28. This season he racked up 32 points in 53 games with a solid +26 rating in Vegas. He did so by averaging 22:34 minutes a game, that would be second to only Adam Fox’s 24:42 this past season.

Not only can the 6-1 and 209 lb blue-liner pick up points, he does something most other Ranger defensemen don’t. He block shots.

Martinez’ 168 blocks would lead the Rangers by a staggering amount. Let me frame it this way, he has 7 more blocks than the defense pairing of Jacob Trouba (84) and K’Andre Miller (77) combined. Martinez also has 16 more blocks than Fox (102) and Ryan Lindgren (52) as a unit.

Martinez checks all the boxes the Rangers are looking for except one; cost.

He just came off an amazing run for Vegas picking up 4 goals and six points in 19 postseason games. He did this while playing 22:32 solid minutes a night. There’s also some rumblings that the Knights want to keep him and he would love to stay. If any team will get a discount, it’s them. Otherwise, Martinez is going to be in the market for about three years and $5 million or more.

That may be too big of a term and cap hit to take on.

A Reunion with Marc Staal

If the the Rangers would still like to add some affordable veteran leadership to the defense they could look to a familiar face. The 34 year-old Marc Staal played 13 seasons on Broadway and was teammates with Drury from 2007-2011.

Yes, I know some in the fan base read the headline alone and began angrily losing their minds. Some may be even looking to send me hate mail or tweets, but Staal played very well on a very bad Red Wings team. Both he and GM Steve Yzerman have already had discussions on a possible new deal in Detroit.

Staal was a leader when he was here and the young Rangers took to calling him “Legend” for what he meant to them on and off the ice. He easily assumed that role in Detroit this past season.

“There’s times during the season or during a game where things can start getting away from you,” Staal said. “I’ve been on teams where maybe it doesn’t go well for you the first 20 (games) and that’s that, you kind of fold up and start to think about the next (season). I was just trying to make sure we stayed consistent and (kept) working hard no matter what the circumstance was. I’ve been around a while, so any hope or positivity I can bring throughout a game I was willing to do that.”

MLIVE

I’m sure there are other options, but I would not rule out bringing back Marc Staal as one of them. The Rangers considered 44 year-old Zdeno Chara at one point, and Staal is certainly younger than he. It’s just something consider if other options fail to pan out.

NHL News

Looks like the Lightning will have to go into Game 7 without the playoffs leading scorer. Read more.

New York Rangers Free Agency (UFA/RFA)

While there is no firm date on when qualifying offers have to be in or when players can file for arbitration, it is usually after the draft which takes place on July 23rd and 24th. This summer the Rangers have six RFAs to sign, but only two have arbitration rights.

• Pavel Buchnevich (Arb Rights)
• Igor Shesterkin (Arb Rights)
• Filip Chytil
• Brett Howden
• Julien Gauthier
• Libor Hajek

I fully expect for expansion draft purposes all will receive their qualifying offers as soon as possible. With that being said, I believe Pavel Buchnevich, Igor Shesterkin, and Filip Chytil will receive multi-year deals.

In the case of Buchnevich, he could be looking at a substantial raise in the neighborhood of $6 million per season. Igor Shesterkin is a player the Rangers should lock up for at least five years. That means buying some UFA years at an increased price. It would be wise to sign the 25 year-old goalie until he’s 30, even if they have spend a few extra million in AAV to do so. It would still be cheaper than a bridge deal of 2 years. I’m thinking $3.5 million to $5 million depending on the number of years.

As for Filip Chytil, they need to sign him up for sure. I’m believe a 2-3 year deal in the range of $2 million makes the most sense. That will keep him an RFA until about 24 years of age and give him arbitration rights when the deal is complete. The remaining RFA’s will simply have to sign their qualifying offers which would in essence be a between a 5 to 10% increase.

Rangers UFA’s are Phil Di Giuseppe, Brendan Smith, and Jack Johnson. Chris Drury could opt to sign Smith to a 1 or 2 year deal as the 7th defenseman. The deal would have to be in the $1-1.5 million range for it to make sense. Both Di Giuseppe and Johnson are unlikely to be re-signed.

New York Rangers UFA shopping list

The Rangers need to go out and get some skilled sandpaper in this lineup. Two players I believe they should target are the Islanders, Casey Cizikas and the Hurricanes, Jordan Martinook.

Cizikas is not a large player at 5-11 and 195 lbs, but he can still be the lynchpin to a stellar fourth line and win key face-offs. Losing draws is something the Rangers desperately need to address this offseason as well. At 30 years-old he isn’t a kid and the Rangers need to balance that their neophyte lineup better. He’s coming off a deal that paid him $3.35 million so he’s not cheap. While that seems expensive for a fourth line player, the Islanders are pretty thrilled with him. Cizikas finished the season with 14 points in 56 games and face-off win percentage of 53.2.

Jordan Martinook with the Carolina Hurricanes is someone that fits the bill for me. He willl turn 29 in July but can play a high intensity style with an in-your-face attitude at 6-1 and 204 lbs. Martinook won’t come cheap as he’s coming off a deal paying $2 million, and looking for an increase. Another plus, Martinook can also take some draws.

This season, he had 13 points in 43 games. If that gives you pause, then you are also under the same illusion that some other fans have that every player on the roster should be a skill guy. Martinook does have skills however, they just better fit a third or fourth line role. He is ferocious forechecker and a physical player that refuses to back down. The guy is also vocal in the locker-room, beloved by his teammates, and wears a letter on his sweater too.

For the defense, Alec Martinez would be a perfect addition to this young Rangers blue-line. He is a proven winner. A fact the Blueshirts fanbase knows all too well after he ended the team’s Stanley Cup dreams in 2014. The left defender will be 34 years-old when free agency opens on July 28. This season he racked up 32 points in 53 games with a solid +26 rating in Vegas. He did so by averaging 22:34 minutes a game, that would be second to only Adam Fox’s 24:42 this past season.

Another key UFA that the Blueshirts are rumored to be targeting is Toronto’s Zach Hyman. He’s 28 years-old and the Maple Leafs want desperately to retain him. His next contract is likely to come in at the $5.5-$6 million range which could be more than Toronto can handle. Prior to the dismissal of John Davidson and Jeff Gorton there wasn’t much chatter about the Rangers going after a player like Hyman in free agency. That was due more to the fact his next deal was closer to top six money and not something they were looking to do.

The bottom line is the Rangers have changed management, and Chris Drury is likely viewing the bottom six a little different from his predecessors.

NHL Rumors

With playoff eliminations comes fallout. What will the Capitals and Blues face? Read more here.

Enter unrestricted free agent defenseman, Alec Martinez.

Alec Martinez would be perfect on the Rangers

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman, Alec Martinez would be a perfect addition to this young Rangers blue-line. He is a proven winner. A fact the Blueshirts fanbase knows all too well after he ended the team’s Stanley Cup dreams in 2014.

I do not need to post a video or a picture of that moment. It is literally seared into the memories of every member of the Rangers Faithful. The nightmare vision of Martinez in joyous celebration as Henrik Lundqvist laid face-down in defeat on the ice. Forever engrained.

Well because of that, you could almost say that Martinez owes Rangers fans one.

He is a shot blocking machine

The left defender will be 34 years-old when free agency opens on July 28. This season he racked up 32 points in 53 games with a solid +26 rating in Vegas. He did so by averaging 22:34 minutes a game, that would be second to only Adam Fox’s 24:42 this past season.

Not only can the 6-1 and 209 lb blue-liner pick up points, he does something most other Ranger defensemen don’t. He block shots.

Martinez’ 168 blocks would lead the Rangers by a staggering amount. Let me frame it this way, he has 7 more blocks than the defense pairing of Jacob Trouba (84) and K’Andre Miller (77) combined. Martinez also has 16 more blocks than Fox (102) and Ryan Lindgren (52) as a unit.

He blocks a lot of shots.

Like I said, he would be perfect and maybe the most affordable option when you look at the field of UFAs. Martinez is coming off a 6 year-deal with an AAV of $4 million. The Rangers could likely get him on a two to three year deal for less.

Martinez checks all the boxes and Chris Drury needs to put him at the top of his free agent shopping list.

Would Rangers fans accept Alec Martinez?

So would the good folks of Rangerstown accept the man that put the final nail in the 2014 coffin? Initially, I would say absolutely not. Matter of fact, if he wasn’t met with a smattering of boos on opening night, I would be greatly disappointed.

However, as soon as the wins start piling up and he’s helping Nils Lundkvist find his way on the third pairing, I’d expect that to change. The term, what have you done for me lately applies to sports better than any other profession. If Martinez is helping the Rangers win, he would quickly be a fan favorite. That’s just how it works.

BUY NOW HERE!

NHL Rumors

Jack Eichel gaining more suitors and Patrick Roy speaks with Rangers about job. Read more here.

Lost Leafs?

The Toronto Maple Leafs were just dealt a huge blow as it has just been announced they have lost forward Andreas Johnsson for 6 months. This will handcuff them in making a deal for a defenseman with term like Matt Dumba as it means they will likely need to pull Kasperi Kapanen off the table.

In response the Leafs have acquired forward Denis Malgin from Florida in exchange for forward prospect Mason Marchment. Malgin has 12 points in 36 games this season.

Islanders in on Kreider?

When it first came across, I thought “No Way!”. Then Darren Dreger piggybacked on it and it made me at least pause.

Today…yeah, still no way. I can’t see the Rangers trading Kreider to the Island nor can I see Lou Lamoriello take a risk in giving up a huge package to only see Kreider possibly re-sign with the Rangers in July.

And also keep your eyes on the Rangers after acquiring Julien Gauthier, he was not sent to Hartford as it may be time to bubble warp Jesper Fast or Chris Kreider.

Alec Martinez to Vegas?

Looks like that is being finalized per the Insiders.

Robin Lehner available?

If the rumors are true, don’t be surprised if the Colorado Avalanche don’t make a play for him.

I do think Colorado checked out Corey Crawford. But Robin Lehner’s future ties into Chicago’s decision. Lehner’s performance during Chicago’s 5-3 loss to Edmonton raised eyebrows. Not because he was bad or anything, but because he was “quiet.” Lehner plays a “loud” game, both in terms of his voice and activity.

Elliotte Friedman

Winging it in Detroit?

Another name that could be moved for the right offer is Detroit’s Andreas Anthanasiou. The 25 year old RFA could give the Wings just what they need to start building for the future.

THE DETROIT NEWS: Ted Kulfan reports injuries to contending teams could bolster the trade value of Red Wings forward Andreas Athanasiou. The Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks could be in play.

Spector’s Hockey

Penguins On the Hunt

Perennial contenders Pittsburgh are looking to get themselves loaded for the playoffs. According to Pittsburgh Hockey Now they are targeting teams out West to deal with. At forward they are interested in Minnesota forward, Jason Zucker. They are interested in the UFA rental department, specifically Alec Martinez (1 year left), and Brenden Dillon. Additionally on Sportsnet, the Penguins were linked to Tyler Toffoli.

Alec Martinez Likely Next to Go

If I had to pick the next player to be traded, it would be Alec Martinez. Sounds like there are a number of suitors and Chris Johnston said on Sportsnet last night Winnipeg are in the mix. You can include the Leafs and Panthers in that mix as well.

Not Available Habs

Earlier in the week rumors surfaced that Tomas Tatar was available in Montreal. Well pump the brakes on that one.

Oilers Getting Slick

The Oilers will be buyers at the deadline, but I wouldn’t expect a major move like say Chris Kreider, although if they give up Jesse Puljujarvi and their 1st, it could happen (remember Kreider’s has a list and will he ok the deal?). It’s more likely that Edmonton will target guys like Ilya Kovalchuk and maybe Kyle Palmieri for the playoffs.

Add Calgary to teams interested in Alec Martinez

The Flames are dealing with an injury to Mark Giordano and he has no timetable to return. It looks like they have entered the market for a rental defenseman and Alec Martinez (1 year left) may fit that bill. Of course they will have stiff competition in Winnipeg who will have some cap space to play with soon. They aren’t the only ones as both Carolina and Florida have shown interest as per Pierre Lebrun.

Is Kyle Connor Available?

Rumors out of Winnipeg is that teams are calling on Kyle Connor with the Jets scouring the open market for a defenseman. The article from the Winnipeg Free Press suggests that Colorado could be a match with Bo Byram. Listen, the name Kyle Connor who has 25 goals and 52 points in 55 games being available would make anyone jump. He’s 23 years old and locked up at $7M per until 2026. Let me just say this, Colorado isn’t the only team with a wealth of talent on defense. If the Rangers trade Kreider, they will need a LW and players like Tony DeAngelo or Brady Skjei plus prospects would be an interesting conversation. Regardless, I don’t think the Jets trade him.

Dallas ready to buy

The Dallas Stars know they have their work cut out for them in the Western Conference and in their division. If they want to make a run at the Cup they will need to get by St. Louis and Colorado. Add their name to the Chris Kreider Sweepstakes, but if they miss there they will be hot after the likes of Tyler Toffoli, Kyle Palmieri, Jean Pierre Pageau and Mike Hoffman is he’s available.

Kings and Leafs kick it off

The Kings will retain 50% of Clifford’s salary but they have officially started the rebuild. Now the shift will be on moving D-man, Alec Martinez in the next few weeks. According to Elliotte Friedman he thinks Nashville is a likely destination.

As far as the Leafs are concerned, they get a cheap backup and some additional forward depth in order to trade Kasperi Kapanen for the top 4 defenseman they need.

Carolina and Georgiev?

The Rangers want an NHL ready forward for Alexandar Georgiev. The Carolina Hurricanes are looking for a goalie that could possibly become a starter. Of course, Carolina could also look for cheaper options if they decide they can’t meet the ask by Jeff Gorton. I consider them, San Jose and New Jersey the most willing to meet what the Rangers feel is fair.

Tata Tatar

The Montreal Canadiens are said to be listening to offers on the 29 year old forward who has one year remaining on his deal before being a UFA. Tatar would make a nice addition for any team looking for bottom 6th depth for the playoffs.

I think the Oilers have, at the very least, looked into Tomas Tatar. (Pittsburgh would be another team with interest.) GM Ken Holland knows him very well. Again, though, Montreal feels injuries derailed its season and wants to be competitive in 2020-21. So you’ve really got to move the needle to get the Canadiens’ attention.

Elliotte Friedman

Matt Dumba

51 Games: 3G, 13A – 25 years old – $6M AAV – UFA 2023

The Wild are said to be ready to enter rebuild mode, which should be centered around a defenseman like Dumba. However, trading him before his modified NTC kicks in 2021 would make sense and also kick start the effort. Right handed first pair defenseman with 50 point ability is hard to come by.

Shayne Gostibehere

40 Games: 5G, 18A – 27 years old – $4.5M AAV – UFA 2023

So Ghost is struggling in Philly, of that there’s no doubt. He is still young and scored a whopping 65 points two seasons ago. The left handed defenseman can help many teams including the Winnipeg Jets. The Flyers could use some more offensive scoring up front, but moving him for prospects could help with their cap situation.

Sami Vatanen

47 Games: 5G, 13A – 28 years old – $4.85M AAV – UFA 2020

The Devils are going nowhere and Vatanen is likely not going to re-up with them this summer. He is an absolute rental and the type of defenseman teams look for to bolster the blueline for a playoff run. As a rental he could fetch NJ a conditional pick and a prospect.

Alec Martinez

35 Games: 1G, 7A – 32 years old – $4M AAV – UFA 2021

L.A. already tried moving him and rumor mill has him available again. The Kings may need to eat some of his salary in a deal with some contenders near the cap ceiling, but can expect at least a 2nd rounder for a solid defender with Stanley Cup winning experience.

Brenden Dillon

53 Games: 1G, 12A – 29 years old – $3.27M AAV – UFA 2020

Sharks are done and need to rebuild, end of story, Dillon is a big blue-liner who is a cheap rental and could fetch them a 3rd round draft pick. Teams that miss out on Vatanen and Martinez will look here for help.

What If?

There is one RFA on defense that could turn the market on its head if he was made available. Tony DeAngelo is on fire with 40 points in 51 games. Should the Rangers choose to take offers on him, they could get a windfall. Let’s just say that I doubt they will consider trading him, but concerns about what he will command this summer have raised the possibility.