Howden, whose 23 regular-season goals more than doubled his previous single-season high, put the Golden Knights up 3-2 in the best-of-7 series when he roofed a one-timer from the bottom of the left circle after taking Tanner Pearson’s backhand pass from below the goal line.

“He is a warrior,” teammate William Karlsson said. “He’s had a really good year, and I’m happy that he got to score, and it’s a huge goal. He’s scored a lot of huge goals for us this year. I’m happy for him, he’s a good dude and a great hockey player.”

The goal was his third of the series and second game-winner for Vegas, which can eliminate Minnesota with a win in Game 6 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul on Thursday night.

It was also the second postseason overtime goal of Howden’s career. His first came in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars in 2023, when the Golden Knights went on to win the Stanley Cup. Howden had 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 22 Stanley Cup Playoff games during the run to the Cup after finishing with just 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 54 regular-season games.

The OT winner against the Wild came three days after Howden was so sick that he couldn’t take the ice in overtime of the Golden Knights’ 4-3 victory in Game 4. He said he still wasn’t 100 percent by the time Game 5 went into OT but was healthy enough to take his regular shift.

“Tonight as the game went on, I actually started to feel better and better,” Howden said afterwards. “I think I started to find my energy a little bit more. Obviously in overtime, you can see some games go the distance, but it was nice for us tonight that that wasn’t the case and we closed it out early.”

Related: Thoughts on Rangers coaching search, including Mike Sullivan ‘their No. 1’ option

Brett Howden thrived after Rangers traded forward to Golden Knights

Howden played three seasons for the Rangers, who acquired him from the Tampa Bay Lightning on Feb. 26, 2018, in the trade that sent defenseman Ryan McDonagh and forward J.T. Miller to the Bolts. But he never really clicked with the Rangers.

“I asked him if he wanted to be liked or respected,” then-Rangers coach David Quinn once said. “I told him I don’t want people tapping your shin pads. I want them in your face.”

Howden had 49 points (16 goals, 33 assists) in 178 games with the Rangers. His production and ice time declined each of his three seasons with the Blueshirts until he scored seven points — including just one goal — in 42 games in 2020-21. That made the No. 27 pick in the 2016 NHL Draft expendable – and the Rangers sent him to the Golden Knights on July 17, 2021, for defenseman Nick DiSimone and a fourth-round pick in the 2022 draft.

Suffice it to say that this is one trade then-rookie general manager Chris Drury might want to undo. DiSimone signed with the Calgary Flames as a free agent 11 days later and has bounced between the NHL and AHL ever since. Center Noah Laba, taken with the pick acquired by the Rangers, began his pro career in March with the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers top farm team, after three seasons at Colorado College, and is a promising prospect.

The energy and work ethic Howden brought to his bottom-six role with the Golden Knights quickly made him a favorite with his teammates and fans. Howden was a valuable role player during the run to the Cup in 2023, when he also showed there might be more to his game than just shutting down opponents and killing penalties.

ELECTRIC
INSANE
UNBELIEVABLE
CRAZY
INCREDIBLE pic.twitter.com/iTvHX7jPA1

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) April 30, 2025

The Golden Knights locked up Howden through the 2029-30 season by signing him to a five-year, $12.5 million contract ($2.5 million average annual value) on Nov. 22, 2024.

Howden showed his offensive chops this season by matching his combined goal output from his first three seasons in Vegas. His 40 points were 17 more than his previous career best, set with the Rangers in 2018-19, and he also had career bests in game-winning goals (4), plus-minus (plus-17) and face-off percentage (52.7 percent).

Suffice it to say the Rangers could use a player like that.

However, it does mark a fitting, anticlimactic end to the infamous trade of Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller, with Henriksson being the last remaining piece in the Rangers organization from that 2018 deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

On February 8, 2018, Rangers president Glen Sather and general manager Jeff Gorton released a letter to their fans, warning that the team would seek to acquire young talent and potentially part ways with familiar faces as the upcoming trade deadline, setting the course for a rebuild after a string of successful seasons and deep playoff runs.

They ended up trading several key players, including McDonagh who had served as captain for the previous four seasons, and Miller, who was an exciting forward and former 15th-overall pick.

This particular deal saw McDonagh and Miller shipped to the Lightning, who were pushing to make a Stanley Cup run. In exchange, the Rangers received Vladislav Namestnikov, Brett Howden, Libor Hajek, and two early draft picks — the Lightning’s first-rounder in 2018 and a second-rounder in 2019. New York took Nils Lundkvist with the first-round pick and selected Henriksson 58th overall with the second-rounder.

Six years later, not a single piece from the trade package remains in the Rangers organization. It remains a black mark on the Rangers’ rebuild, arguably the worst move in general manager Jeff Gorton’s tenure, and one of the worst trades in Rangers history.

Related: Early look at 2024-25 Hartford Wolf Pack roster, including Brennan Othmann

Trading Ryan McDonagh, J.T. Miller to Lightning in 2018 one of worst in Rangers history

Unable to pry away prized young talent like Brayden Point or Mikhail Sergachev from Tampa Bay, Gorton built the deal around Hajek, a former second-round pick with exciting upside as a 20-year-old defenseman. But Hajek never sniffed his lofty expectations.

Given numerous chances to seize playing time and a permanent spot in the Rangers defense corps, Hajek never played more than 44 games in a single season across five years. The Rangers let him go after the 2022-23 season, and he has not played a game in the NHL since. He played 110 games as a Blueshirt, managing just 12 points and a minus-9 rating.

Namestnikov had four and a half years of experience at the time of the trade, all with Tampa Bay. The 27th overall pick in 2011 had already set NHL career highs in the 61 games prior to the trade, scoring 20 goals and 44 points. He scored two goals and four points in his subsequent 19 games with the Rangers, and to this day, has not scored 20 goals or 40 points since.

Early in the 2019-20 season, the Rangers dealt him to the Ottawa Senators for an unremarkable return. Namestnikov played 99 games with the Blueshirts and scored just 13 goals and 35 points. He’s stayed in the League but bounced around frequently, closing out this past season with the Winnipeg Jets, his sixth different team since leaving the Blueshirts.

Howden won a Stanley Cup ring and enjoyed a two-goal performance in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. It just so happens he did it for the Vegas Golden Knights last season.

Of the five players in this package, Howden had the best career with the Rangers by default, playing 178 games with New York, scoring 16 goals and 49 points. Advertised as an exciting two-way forward, the 27th overall pick in 2016 ended up being a solid fourth-line center in New York but was dealt to Vegas in the summer of 2021, finding success in a bottom-six role there.

For a little while, there was some hope that Lundkvist would be the pize of this trade, after the defenseman drew attention with some nice offensive play in the SHL. Given 25 games of run as a 21-year-old with the Rangers in 2021-22, Lundkvist managed a goal and four points, failing to do enough to stay in the lineup. The Rangers traded him to the Dallas Stars that offseason, getting a first-round pick in return which was flipped ahead of the 2023 trade deadline to the St. Louis Blues for Vladimir Tarasenko and Niko Mikkola.

Henriksson failed to garner the same hype and, after struggling in the AHL for two seasons, has elected to return to the SHL.

The return for McDonagh and Miller resulted in a combined 412 games at the NHL level with the Rangers and just 100 points produced. No one from the trade has played for the Rangers since 2022-23, with Hajek being the last one.

Meanwhile, McDonagh played a major role in the Lightning’s three consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Final, getting his name engraved on the Cup in 2020 and 2021. After two seasons with the Nashville Predators, he’s returning to the Lightning next season after a recent offseason trade.

Miller wasn’t able to stick in Tampa long enough to hoist the Cup. He was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in the summer of 2019. Nonetheless, he’s become one of the League’s top offensive centers, scoring an NHL career-high 37 goals and 103 points this past season.

👏 J.T. 👏 MILLER 👏 pic.twitter.com/6M3hvLOlMX

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) April 27, 2024

It’s pretty clear cut — New York got the short end of the stick on this trade.

There are still loose ties in the organization from the trade tree. The fourth-round pick Ottawa gave up for Namestnikov was used to take forward Kalle Vaisanen, who signed late this season and played three games for Hartford.

The fourth-rounder from Vegas in the Howden deal was used on Noah Laba, who has yet to sign an entry-level contract. Laba just wrapped up his second season at Colorado College and was named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Defensive Forward of the Year as well as All-NCHC First Team.

The Rangers’ fire sale in 2018 resulted in a lot of big-name players being shipped out. Along with McDonagh and Miller, Rick Nash, Kevin Hayes, and Mats Zuccarello were all traded as Gorton tried to accumulate draft picks and young talent.

While the Nash trade netted them Ryan Lindgren and helped the Rangers move up to select K’Andre Miller 22nd overall in the draft, it’s hard to feel like the Rangers got the return value they should have from the talent they parted with.

Fans need to look no further than the colossal failure of the trade with the Lightning, as Henriksson’s departure marks the final blow, cementing it as one of the worst trades in Rangers history.

The New York Rangers will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in a possible playoff preview at Madison Square Garden. Over the next two weeks, the teams will have three chances to see how they match up, beginning Friday night.

The Rangers won the only meeting between the teams so far this year, a 1-0 game at home on Feb. 26. And they’ll meet again Tuesday in Pittburgh, then close the season series on April 7 at Madison Square Garden.

Barclay Goodrow likes the lineup competition

The New York Rangers have four new faces in their lineup starting with the acquisition of Frank Vatrano and following with the Trade Deadline deals for Andrew Copp, Tyler Motte, and Justin Braun.

Those moves make the Rangers better but have already bumped out players like Greg McKegg and Julien Gauthier from the lineup. When Kaapo Kakko and Kevin Rooney return from injury you can expect to see even more players scratched.

“It’s a positive for some players and a negative for others,” head coach Gerard Gallant explained. “You do the best you can. We just had a little chat (with the players) to stay positive. We’re trying to do this to win hockey games. Have patience. There’s a lot of people on the ice but we’re trying to win hockey games.”

There was also a lot of movement at practice on Thursday that saw the following possible changes.

• First line could see Frank Vatrano at RW
• Second line could have Andrew Copp at RW
• Third line could have Alexis Lafrenière at LW with Chytil and Goodrow
• A new fourth line centered by Tyler Motte with Hunt and Brodzinski

Ryan Reaves looks like he will be a healthy scratch.

One of the Rangers leaders, Barclay Goodrow has no issues with having a little extra competition to push players.

“You can never get too comfortable in the lineup,” Goodrow told Mollie Walker. “Guys being moved all around the place, up and down the lineup — or even coming out — it’s good to have that competition. It’s good to have guys pushing you to keep getting better and stay on top of your game.”

Brett Howden suffers scary looking injury

Former New York Rangers forward Brett Howden suffered an injury that required him being stretchered off the ice Thursday night in Vegas.

The incident occurred at 16:29 of the first period as he was driven into the boards from behind by Predators forward Filip Forsberg. Unfortunately, Howden was already off balance at the time of the hit leaving him unable to protect himself.

The Golden Knights updated Howden’s condition after the game as stable but requiring further evaluation. Head coach Pete DeBoer said that he had full mobility of his extremities and they should know more about his condition by Friday. Vegas tweeted out that Howden has no injury to his neck or spine.

We wish Brett a speedy and full recovery.

Brett Howden stretchered off the ice after this hit. Thoughts and prayers #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/tWaY4Eyhyl

— Owen Krepps (@OKrepps85) March 25, 2022

NHL Trade Deadline Winners and Losers

Who were the biggest winners, and who failed to get done what they needed to do? Read more here.

The Eichel trade rumors have been constantly changing since last offseason. Forever Blueshirts has been monitoring this situation closely. We know that the Rangers made an offer last season and several other teams, such as the Los Angeles Kings and the Columbus Blue Jackets were interested. It’s all been chronicled here.

Forever Blueshirts also noted the Rangers interest cooling in May. That was followed by teams like the Kings and Blue Jackets dropping out of the running. More recently, reports indicate the ask from the Sabres has dropped but there’s been some conflicting information as to what that means.

Eichel’s skill, injury, and cap hit of $10 million per season presents many factors for teams to consider. It’s no different for the Rangers. Before possibly making another offer for Eichel, Chris Drury will have to seriously examine all of his options.

The Rangers’ situation at center

On some teams, Ryan Strome would not be considered for the second line center spot, but on the Rangers he is. This has several fans screaming for an Eichel trade. Eichel and Mika Zibanejad as the top two centers and Strome as a strong third line center sounds good, right? Sure, but that’s an overly simplified view of the situation.

Last season, the Rangers generally lined up down the middle with Zibanejad, Strome, Filip Chytil (when he wasn’t injured), and Kevin Rooney or Brett Howden. In order to add Eichel, management would have to clear out roster space, as well as some cap space for the final four years of Eichel’s deal.

The clearing of roster space began when Brett Howden was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday. Expect more moves like that to come, including uncertain futures for Strome, Chytil and Pavel Buchnevich.

Assuming they’re able to sign Goodrow, that would leave them with Zibanejad, Strome, Chytil, and Goodrow down the middle. The organization chose to protect Rooney in the Seattle expansion. That’s a pretty good indication that they feel he belongs with the team.

Rooney was a solid fourth line center last season and helped the U.S. win bronze at the World Championships. He, and Goodrow are very likely to play key roles for the Rangers bottom six.

So what if the Rangers try to trade for Eichel? Chytil could be part of the package. That would certainly solve the logjam at center. He made strides early last season but experienced a setback when he was injured against the Penguins. Eichel, Zibanejad, Strome, Goodrow is a much deeper lineup at center, but is it realistic cap wise?

That’s likely why we are hearing Ryan Strome’s name coming up in the rumor mill. If the Rangers believe Goodrow can become a third line center, the middle could look like Eichel, Zibanejad, Goodrow, and Rooney.

How much does Goodrow change anything if at all?

Barclay Goodrow is definitely a solid, gritty fourth line center who could possibly play some third line minutes too. He was an unlikely playoff hero for the Sharks in 2019. As Jon Cooper put it, “You can’t have all Ferraris.” Eichel would be just another finesse player.

Adding Goodrow and sending Howden to Vegas suddenly makes the fourth line a lot stronger. Goodrow doesn’t shy away from the dirty areas of the game. He epitomizes what it means to be an effective fourth line center.

Eichel’s cap hit would cause problems for the Rangers. At $10,000,000 AAV for Eichel, the Rangers wouldn’t be left with much space to work with. They still have to sign Barclay Goodrow, but he will undoubtedly be much cheaper and affordable for the Rangers. Latest reports indicate a 6 year deal with an AAV of $3,600,000.

Once signed, they’ve gained a center that gives the team more depth at the position. They do so without risking spending too much on a player who may not even be the same due to his neck injury.

Does the acquisition of Goodrow lessen the probability of trading for Eichel? It’s unlikely.

Eichel’s neck issue is a reason not to trade for him

Eichel obviously possesses super star status and belongs on the top line of any team. However, there are some questions about the implications of his neck injury. Multiple reports note that Eichel and the Sabres were working towards a resolution. Eichel was reportedly interested in a surgical option that there were questions about, the Sabres are against it so it is likely his next team will deal with it.

This issue, whether Eichel undergoes surgery or not, presents uncertainty. He may not be the same player no matter what treatment option he accepts. It’s too much of a risk to pay $10,000,000 annually for a player in his situation. Especially when there are other options. This is somewhat hypothetical, but still important to acknowledge.

If the Rangers want to put themselves in the best position to win, they need to decide what risks are acceptable. Trading for Eichel could backfire. Trading for Goodrow was a less risky move, and has already improved the team.

What would the Rangers have to give up for Eichel?

If the Rangers do decide to make another offer for Eichel (if they haven’t already), Buffalo could use a goaltender. The Rangers initially signed Keith Kinkaid so they’d have a goaltender to expose in the expansion draft, but he actually played well for them. He isn’t expected to be taken, so the Rangers could put Alex Georgiev in the package. If the Rangers were to acquire Eichel and have Goodrow, Chytil could wind up on the outside of things, so it makes sense to include him in the package as well.

Plus, reports have surfaced that the Rangers are shopping Buchnevich. Buffalo would likely be open to acquiring him. They could use a younger right wing who has shown improvement recently. Finally, the Rangers could throw in the 15th overall pick.

To trade or not to trade for Eichel

There are always unknowns when bringing in players. New environments, team cultures, and teammates present factors for players to adjust to. Goodrow will be facing these things with the Rangers. However, this unknown is less of a concern than Eichel’s injury.

Eichel’s neck issue is more likely to affect his play than Goodrow’s adjusting to a new team. Drury will have to do due diligence and decide if it’s worth giving up some familiar and valuable players like Georgiev and Buchnevich for a player whose game might be at least partially inhibited. When examining the available information, it ultimately seems that it’s not necessary to trade for Jack Eichel now that they have Goodrow.

Then again, bold moves win Stanley Cups and nothing would be bolder than trading for Eichel.

Latest NHL Rumors

Get all the latest trade buzz here.

That wasn’t the only move they made as they traded Brett Howden to the Vegas Golden Knights for defenseman Nick DeSimone and a 4th round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Rangers Acquire Barclay Goodrow

Per the Team’s Press Release:

New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the team has made two trades. The Blueshirts acquired forward Barclay Goodrow from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. In addition, the Rangers acquired a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft (originally belonging to Winnipeg) and defenseman Nick DeSimone from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Brett Howden.

Goodrow, 28, skated in 55 games with Tampa Bay this past season, registering six goals and 14 assists for 20 points, along with a plus-16 rating and 52 penalty minutes. He also recorded six points (two goals, four assists) in 18 playoff games while helping the Lightning win the Stanley Cup.

The Rangers will now have negotiating rights with the 6-2 and 203 lbs pivot. Goodrow is everything the Rangers have been looking for in a bottom six forward who is coming off back-to-back Stanley Cup championships.

According to Chris Johnston, there’s rumors teams are willing to offer him a six year-deal if he hits the open market. This is a steep price in term, but it’s one the Rangers are very likely to pay.

Goodrow brings size, speed, and can kill penalties, He also isn’t afraid to mix it up.

“Thank you for absolutely everything,” a message from the Lightning read to Goodrow. “You’ll be missed.”

Of note with #NYR acquiring pending UFA Barclay Goodrow's negotiating rights: There's chatter that some teams are prepared to offer him a six-year deal if he hits the open market on July 28. https://t.co/Wt5Gs4I8n5

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 17, 2021

Rangers trade Brett Howden

Brett Howden was the Rangers 4th line center but struggled to develop his game. He played in over 178 contests for the Blueshirts and picked up 49 points.

Nick DeSimone skated in 22 AHL games last season and is not expected to be part of the big club next seaosn.

It should be noted that this Howden is now eligible to be protected or exposed in the Seattle Expansion Draft on July 21st. The Rangers must submit their list to the league on the 17th. This also allows the Rangers to protect Colin Blackwell if they so choose.

Howden done https://t.co/lBR2byCnj6 pic.twitter.com/JU1RB1zqPl

— Forever Blueshirts (@4EverBlueshirts) July 9, 2021

Rangers sign Brett Howden

Per the Rangers Press Release:

NEW YORK, July 9, 2021 – New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the team has agreed to terms with restricted free agent forward Brett Howden on a one-year contract.

Howden, 23, skated in 42 games with the Rangers this past season, registering one goal and six assists for seven points, along with 11 penalty minutes. The 6-3, 200-pounder has skated in 178 career NHL games over three seasons (2018-19 – 2020-21), all with the Rangers, registering 16 goals and 33 assists for 49 points, along with 53 penalty minutes. Howden also skated in three games during the 2020 postseason.

The Calgary, Alberta native was acquired by the Rangers in a trade with Tampa Bay on February 26, 2018. Howden was originally selected by the Lightning in the first round, 27th overall, of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

OFFICIAL: #NYR have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with restricted free agent Brett Howden. pic.twitter.com/MRk4TcPmwv

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) July 9, 2021

2022 Stanley Cup Odds

Who is favored to win the Cup next season? Find out here.

Here’ some other key items and dates you need to know before Seattle makes its first selection.

Rangers must submit protected list by 7/17/21

The Blueshirts and all other teams (except the Vegas Golden Knights) will need to submit their list of protected players to the league by 5 PM ET on July 17. What also should be understood is that there will be a trade freeze for every team but the Seattle Kraken.

Starting on July 17th at 3 PM ET until July 22nd, only the Kraken can make trades with any team they want in the NHL. Teams will not be permitted to make deals with one another not involving Seattle. Recently, the Nashville Predators tried to make a deal with the Kraken but it is believed Ron Francis asking price for any trade starts with a first round pick.

This led to Nashville sending Viktor Arvidsson to the L.A. Kings for two draft picks, neither of which was a first rounder. “I had a couple of conversations with Seattle, if Viktor Arvidsson was not protected that’s who we would’ve lost,” he admitted to Darren, Daunic, and Chase of 102.5 FM. “Two picks is better than losing Viktor for nothing.”

Finally, on July 18th at 10 AM ET, the league will send out the protected lists to all teams. Here’s what I believe the Rangers list will look like on that day.

Projected Protected Forwards:

• Pavel Buchnevich
• Ryan Strome
• Filip Chytil
• Colin Blackwell
• Mika Zibanejad (NMC)
• Artemi Panarin (NMC)
• Chris Kreider (NMC)

Projected Protected Defensemen and Goalie:

• Jacob Trouba (NMC)
• Ryan Lindgren
• Libor Hajek
• Alexandar Georgiev

Key Exemption list: Alexis Lafrenière, Kaapo Kakko, Vitali Kravtsov, Adam Fox, K’Andre Miller, and Igor Shesterkin.

Key Projected Exposed list: Tony DeAngelo, Brett Howden, Julian Gauthier, Kevin Rooney, and Keith Kinkaid.

Note: In order to protect Blackwell, the Rangers will need to have Brett Howden signed to meet expansion requirements for forwards. Howden is an RFA.

Kraken can sign free agents

On the same day the protected lists are disseminated, Seattle can begin negotiations with any unprotected free agents (except the Golden Knights who are exempt from expansion draft). Ron Francis will also have the ability to offer 8 year deals to all free agents. This runs from 7/18 up until the day of the expansion draft. Note, if the Kraken sign a pending RFA that team will be owed compensation.

Also, if a team’s free agent is signed during this period it will count as the player lost. So if the Kraken decide to sign Brendan Smith who is a UFA to a deal, that’s whom the Rangers would lose in the expansion draft.

Who will the Rangers lose to Seattle

On July 21st, the Seattle Kraken will have filled out their roster by 10 AM ET. Fans will not know the expansion draft picks until 8 PM that evening. The Kraken can also not select a player and buy said selection out until the following year.

When it comes to who Seattle will pick, I believe it will come down to Brett Howden or Julien Gauthier. Each suffered an injury to end their seasons, so I don’t think that will factor in the selection. My initial thought was that Howden would be their choice. He’s a young and responsible defensive center, and pivots are always at a premium. Remember, the Golden Knights selected Oscar Lindberg back in 2017.

If the Kraken’s first signing is any indication of how they will approach building their team, then the Rangers are most likely to lose Julien Gauthier over Brett Howden.

Gauthier was picked in the first round, 21st overall in 2016. Ron Francis who was Carolina’s GM at that time said, “He is big enough to have an immediate impact. We’ll see how things play out in development camp and training camp. Physically, he’s big enough, and he skates well enough.”

As noted before, the Rangers will need to sign Howden to a deal or else they will expose Colin Blackwell. If that’s the case, I see Francis going with him over ay other Blueshirt.

Source for some additional details on dates from The Athletic.

Latest NHL Rumors

Is a reunion in store for Taylor Hall with the Oilers? That and more here.

Note: Portions of this article have been previously published on Forever Blueshirts.

The Next New York Rangers coach…

The biggest question currently surrounding the New York Rangers focuses on their search for a new coach. What is taking so long and why have we only heard of two names being interviewed? It can’t be possible that Chris Drury only talked with Rick Tocchet and Gerard Gallant.

Pierre LeBrun reported that Gallant’s interview went well and Darren Dreger said he’d be “gobsmacked if Gallant didn’t end up in New York” – so what’s the delay? Rod Brind’Amour apparently is holding up the works here. There’s a chance, albeit a small one that he could leave the Hurricanes for the Rangers.

Of course, I believe chasing Brind’Amour is a red herring and he’s using his leverage as a free agent to get the Canes to increase their offer and get his assistants taken care of as well.

Prediction: Gerard Gallant will be the next Rangers coach

And the Seattle Kraken select from the Rangers…

The Blueshirts will need to submit their list of protected players to the league by 5 p.m. ET on July 17. This is when we will definitively know whom the Rangers will be protecting and exposing. The Seattle Expansion Draft will take place on July 21.

Projected Protected Forwards:

• Pavel Buchnevich
• Ryan Strome
• Filip Chytil
• Colin Blackwell
• Mika Zibanejad (NMC)
• Artemi Panarin (NMC)
• Chris Kreider (NMC)

Projected Protected Defensemen and Goalie:

• Jacob Trouba (NMC)
• Ryan Lindgren
• Libor Hajek
• Alexandar Georgiev

Key Exemption list: Alexis Lafrenière, Kaapo Kakko, Vitali Kravtsov, Adam Fox, K’Andre Miller, and Igor Shesterkin.

Key Projected Exposed list: Tony DeAngelo, Brett Howden, Julian Gauthier, Kevin Rooney, and Keith Kinkaid.

Prediction: Brett Howden will be selected by the Kraken

And with the 15th selection in the Draft the Rangers…

Forever Blueshirts reported that the New York Rangers first round pick is indeed in play this offseason. On July 23rd -24th the NHL Draft will take place and Chris Drury currently holds the 15th selection after the lottery drawing.

There’s been speculation that the Rangers, who have an overload of young players and prospects would package the 15th overall pick. A knowledgeable source confirmed that all options are on the table this summer and that includes moving the first round selection.

I truly believe that the Rangers will trade their first round pick to improve the lineup this season with NHL ready talent.

Prediction: They will trade the pick, but if not they will take the best center available

New York Rangers trade for…

The worst kept secret in the NHL is the Rangers desire to acquire another top center. This isn’t a knock on Ryan Strome who has been excellent since his acquisition, and even better with Artemi Panarin on his flank. As good as he’s been, the Blueshirts could also move him to the third line and make center one of their strongest positions. That is if they can execute the right deal for a pivot.

From what I can gather, Aleksander Barkov is unlikely to be moved in this offseason. That leaves Evgeny Kuznetsov and Jack Eichel as the two known centers available for a trade. Sean Monahan is also rumored to be available.

The Rangers are going to play this one tight, and they likely will be using the aforementioned first round pick in this deal. If Monahan is on the market, he will automatically move ahead of Kuznetsov. In the end, it will be the one player New York has been linked to the most in trade rumors.

Prediction: Jack Eichel will be on Broadway

Rangers sign in free agency…

Chris Drury has a check list this summer, and one of the top items reshaping the bottom six. I’ve mentioned several names which includes Blake Coleman, Jordan Martinook, and Casey Cizikas.

Both Coleman and Cizikas are still playing, but Martinook is now heading home. When asked about his future he admitted he could be elsewhere, but he made it clear where he wants to be. “At the end of the day, it’s obviously a business,” Martinook said. “I want to stay here, but I have a family. I just had a baby girl, so I have to look out for myself and my family. I want to be a Hurricane, so hopefully we can make that happen.”

However, I believe Drury already has his free agent signing list prioritized and a center who can win face-off is it. Two names pop up for me in the Islanders Casey Cizikas and Detroit’s Luke Glendening. One of these players will be taking key draws next season.

Prediction: Casey Cizikas signs with the Blueshirts on July 28th

NHL Rumors

Latest on the Rod Brind’Amour situation here.

INJURY UPDATES:

-Chris Kreider (lower body) and Ryan Lindgren (upper body) are both not practicing today and are out day to day.

-Brett Howden suffered a fractured foot last night and will be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 30, 2021

Rangers call up both Morgan Barron and Tarmo Reunanen

The Rangers due to injury concerns have called up forward Morgan Barron and defenseman Tarmo Reunanen for the remainder of the season. Per the team’s website:

Barron, 22, has skated in 21 games with the Wolf Pack this season, registering 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points, along with a plus-eight rating and 20 penalty minutes. He has recorded a point in 17 of Hartford’s 21 games in 2020-21, including a goal in nine of those contests. Barron is tied for third among AHL rookies in goals and is tied for sixth among AHL rookies in points this season. In addition, he is tied for second in the AHL in power play goals (six) in 2020-21. Barron leads Hartford in goals, points, shots on goal (57), and plus/minus rating this season.

Reunanen, 23, has skated in 21 AHL games with Hartford this season, registering four goals and 13 assists for 17 points. He leads the Wolf Pack in assists and is tied for second on the team in points in 2020-21, and his 17 points are also the most among Hartford defensemen. Reunanen is tied for third among AHL defensemen in points and is tied for fifth among AHL defensemen in assists this season. He has tallied a point in eight of the last 11 games, and he has recorded 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) over the span.

I wrote yesterday that the playoff chase would likely keep Barron out, but with their loss yesterday and a Boston win they are all but eliminated officially. Expect both to debut Saturday against the Islanders.

Lauri Pajuniemi signs his ELC

When asked about his future, Pajumiemi was straightforward. “Somewhere other than in Finland,” Pajuniemi said to Iltalehti. “At some point, these issues will be resolved. I will probably not continue in Finland.” His contract with TPS expires this summer and one team that he’s been attached to is another Liiga team in Lukko.

“There has been no concrete negotiation with Lukko,” the fifth round selection said about the TPS rival. “Yes my goal is to take the next step in my career. Of course, I do not rule out Rangers. In addition to KHL and SHL, everyone is interested.”

The Rangers obviously heard Lauri loud and clear and inked him to his ELC yesterday.

Lauri Pajuniemi NY #Rangers
2 year ELC starting in 2021-22
$883,750 cap hit / $925,000 AAV

2021-22: $750.0k base + $92.5k SB + $82.5k GP
2022-23: $832.5k base + $92.5k SB

Pajuniemi was drafted by the Rangers in the 5th RD (132nd overall) in 2018.https://t.co/hrFHo4mfzw

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) April 29, 2021

NHL Rumors

In the latest NHL Rumors, the league is considering wild card changes. Read more here.

That was before Tony DeAngelo got himself excommunicated from Broadway and Brendan Lemieux demanded a trade out of NY. Those two moves alone have a huge impact since it was originally assumed DeAngelo would be protected, and Lemieux was going to be a tough decision to protect or not.

Rangers and the Seattle Expansion Draft

The best way to start off is to drop the expected protected list. Jeff Gorton will likely go with 7 forwards, 3 defenseman, and one goalie. Remember some players are exempt and others must be protected if they have a no move clause in their contract to meet the criteria.

Protected Forwards:

• Pavel Buchnevich
• Ryan Strome
• Filip Chytil
• Colin Blackwell
• Mika Zibanejad (NMC)
• Artemi Panarin (NMC)
• Chris Kreider (NMC)

Protected Defensemen and Goalie:

• Jacob Trouba (NMC)
• Ryan Lindgren
• Libor Hajek
• Alexandar Georgiev

Exemption list: Alexis Lafrenière, Kaapo Kakko, Vitali Kravtsov, Adam Fox, K’Andre Miller, Igor Shesterkin.

Brett Howden emerging as Seattle’s likely pick

The Seattle Kraken will have a nice group to select from. While the list of exposed Rangers will include DeAngelo, Brett Howden, Kevin Rooney, Julien Gauthier, and Keith Kinkaid it will be a decision between the first two.

While some believe Julien Gauthier to have the most upside on the list, it is just that – upside. Seattle isn’t building a team on promise, that’s what the Entry Draft is for. Ultimately the Kraken will go with the 23 year-old center, Howden. He will be cost controlled, and could develop into a solid third liner for the Kraken over the years.

If the Kraken wanted an immediate impact player, they would select DeAngelo and they still might. Even with the PR baggage he comes with, ADA is just 25 years of age and can run the power play on defense. Of course, Seattle knows he will be bought out and they could sign him for considerably less in free agency.

That’s why Howden is the pick. The folks over at The Athletic agree as well.

The Rangers look a little like the Leafs did at the Vegas expansion, with most of their top young players exempt from the expansion draft, a list which includes Adam Fox, Alexis Lafrenière, Kaapo Kakko, Vitali Kravtsov and goalie Igor Shesterkin. Four players have no-move clauses: Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba. One name that wasn’t protected before but likely will be now is Colin Blackwell, who has had an excellent season. He bumps Brett Howden down the depth chart, and almost by default, will be the pick.

The Athletic

NHL News and Notes

Check out Connor McDavid and all the action from yesterday here.