Nope, this one stems from a late-night encounter in the Mile High City, when the Rangers were less than two minutes away from putting a bow on a largely well-played 2-1 win against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night — one that ended in a head-spinning 3-2 overtime loss.

So much good on the night for the Rangers. But in the end, the negative of not securing two points and failing to nail down a third-straight win — against three elite opponents — outweighed the many positives. And left the Rangers — and likely you, too — with a hazy, muddled feeling when they woke up Wednesday morning.

The Rangers (20-20-3) have not lost in regulation in five straight games (3-0-2). So, that’s something. So is their 4-1-2 mark in the New Year.

But they remain 14th in the Eastern Conference, now five points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets for the second wild card and trail the Boston Bruins by six for the top wild card.

Time to shake it off and be ready for the finale of the three-game road trip in Utah on Friday, a game the Rangers should — and must — win.

Click HERE to receive 20 percent off when you shop at Forever Blueshirts store

New York Rangers news

Here are three takeaways from Rangers loss in Denver on Tuesday, including another big night for the fourth line.

This one is well worth a read — breaking down why Rangers “can’t win Stanley Cup with Mika Zibanejad as 1C,” quoting from my conversation with Dennis Bernstein of the Fourth Period.

Our latest Rangers NCAA prospects report has the latest on the return of two World Junior Championship gold medalists to Boston College.

NHL news

Things are going sideways in Pittsburgh, where the Penguins are reeling and coach Mike Sullivan questioned their commitment after a 4-2 loss to Kaapo Kakko and the Seattle Kraken.

Evgeni Malkin returned to the Penguins lineup Tuesday following an injury absence, amid reports his three Stanley Cup rings were stolen in a home robbery.

New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier continued his running feud with Florida Panthers with a skirmish in Florida’s 2-1 shootout win Tuesday.

Don’t cross Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper. That’s the lesson two-time Stanley Cup winner Brayden Point learned when he was scratched against the Boston Bruins for missing a team meeting. The Lightning lost 6-2.

The Detroit Red Wings lost for the first time in eight games, 6-3 to the San Jose Sharks, and they also lost former Rangers forward Tyler Motte, who exited in the second period with an upper-body injury after he crashed into the boards.

Los Angeles Kings forward Adrian Kempe was fined $5,000 for slew-footing Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid in a game Monday.

The Islanders were shut out for the sixth time this season, 2-0 by the Ottawa Senators, who’ve won three in a row.

The Washington Capitals kept rolling with a 3-0 home win against the Anaheim Ducks. The Metropolitan Division leaders improved to 5-0-3 in their past eight games.

And how about the Blues Jackets? They won their fifth straight, edging the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 in a shootout.

Watch Kyle Connor record a natural hat trick in the first period of the Winnipeg Jets’ resounding 6-1 win against the Vancouver Canucks.

“I would say still day-to-day… but there’s a chance,” Gerard Gallant updated. “Probably a better chance he’s not. [Playing back-to-back is] a factor that’s for sure.”

Lindgren, 25, has 17 points in 56 games this season and was injured on a questionable hit by the Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie on February 25.

In the team’s 6-3 loss to Capitals, Oshie hit from behind dangerously close to the boards. Lindgren came up favoring his left shoulder and headed straight for the locker room during the first period.

Evgeni Malkin impressed with Rangers

When it comes to winning a championship, Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin knows what it takes.

After battling the Rangers for 17 years, the three-time Cup winner is impressed with the Rangers roster after all their trade deadline acquisitions.

“It’s a danger team right now,” Malkin told The Post after the Penguins’ practice Friday at Chelsea Piers. “Every line is danger. They’re probably, like, best team in the league right now.”

“They’re focused on winning the [Stanley] Cup,” Malkin told The Post. “If they play hard, they have a chance to win for sure.”

NY Post

The New York Rangers will certainly be investigating the free agent market tomorrow at 12 PM ET as a new report indicates talks with Andrew Copp have broken off.

Per Arthur Staple of The Athletic, “Sources say the New York Rangers are out on Andrew Copp. Sides talked over the weekend but Rangers are likely looking elsewhere for their No. 2 center spot.”

This information also comes off the heels of future hall of famer Evgeni Malkin announcing he will be hitting three agency.

New York Rangers still need a 2C

There appeared to be some hope over the weekend that Copp may return to the Blueshirts as it became public the two sides were engaged in talks.

Copp, 28, is believed to be looking for at least a 5 year-deal with an AAV of $5.5M. After a solid season where he picked up 21 goals and 53 points in 72 games he’s sure to get that, if not better. During the playoffs, he was one of the Rangers key performers with 14 points in 20 games further adding to his value.

The Rangers have already decided to let Ryan Strome walk via free agency and have been actively trying to address to position via trade to no avail at this time. Of course, this news regarding Copp is one less piece of leverage for Chris Drury in negotiations.

That’s why the need to look at the free agent market has become the most likely option.

Some targets could include Carolina Hurricanes pending UFA Vincent Trocheck and possibly Dylan Strome, whom the Blackhawks did not qualify.

Is Evgeni Malkin an option?

Evgeni Malkin will become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday when the market opens. After 16 seasons all with the Pittsburgh Penguins this is a somewhat surprising turn of events.

Malkin, 35, was the Penguins first round pick, second overall, in the 2004 Draft. He’s a three-time Stanley Cup Champion with 981 career games to his credit. In his career, Malkin has amassed 1,156 points including 444 goals. He’s undoubtedly heading to the hall of fame.

According to Rob Rossi of The Athletic, Malkin was unhappy with the situation and in a text to the publication he asked: “Do they want me?”

“It bothers me how this is happening,” relayed one of Malkin’s teammates. “It’s a bad look. From what I know of what’s happened, Geno deserves better.”

Malkin recorded 42 points in 41 games last season after coming off knee surgery. He reportedly turned down a 2-year offer for $6 million per season, looking for at least for four years at that money value.

So is he an option for the New York Rangers? Well, that depends on how firm he is on wanting 4 years and $6M. I don’t think the Rangers would have an issue with $6 million for two years, but if it has to be at least four years, Drury can’t give him a full no move clause.

After speaking with a knowledgeable source, Forever Blueshirts learned that Malkin is already looking at the Rangers and Florida Panthers as his top destinations of choice.

Maybe after being spurned by the Penguins, Malkin may be more flexible in signing with the Rangers. Who knows, but we’re going to find out soon.

I'm sure many are looking at Evgeni Malkin news and thinking go get him #NYR – good news is I hear that he's looking at Rangers and Panthers in free agency. Just remember he wanted a 4x$6M from the Pens – not sure if that works for Rangers. Especially is he wants a full NMC.

— Forever Blueshirts (@4EverBlueshirts) July 12, 2022

NHL News and Rumors

• Maple Leafs trade for Matt Murray
• NHL Free Agent Tracker
• Dylan Strome a UFA, Georgiev’s new deal

What started as a report that the Rangers and Winnipeg Jets had a discussion about pending RFA center Pierre-Luc Dubois has devolved into sheer madness. There’s been no less than a half dozen names associated with the Blueshirts over the last few days, some are very much true and others sheer speculation or musings.

This article will attempt to analyze some of those names and put them into categories. We will start with the ridiculous to simply get them out of the way. Then we will venture into the possible and realistic options.

New York Rangers center options: The Ridiculous

Nazem Kadri

Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff recently discussed pending UFA center Nazem Kadri on a recent podcast. He’s one of the hottest pending UFAs after scoring 87 points in 71 games last season.

“I think– I should say I know that one team that has Nazem Kadri high up on their list is the New York Rangers,” Seravalli said on the DFO Rundown. “Ryan Strome, take that money out and pay Nazem Kadri.”

Here’s the problem, Strome’s money is already out of the equation. The Rangers have just about $10 million in cap space remaining with holes to fill, including re-signing Kaapo Kakko to a bridge deal in the neighborhood of $2M per season.

The speculated contract on Kadri’s next deal, who is 31, is 7 years at $8M plus. How does that math work? Sure, you could make it feasible for this season if you dump players like Patrik Nemeth and Ryan Reaves, but it doesn’t work beyond that.

New York has to extend both Alexis Lafrenière, K’Andre Miller, and Filip Chytil (unless he’s traded) next summer.

While the Rangers were certainly rumored to be interested last season, it just doesn’t fit now. That’s why this lands firmly in the ridiculous category.

Evgeni Malkin

Another name attached to the New York Rangers thanks to pure speculation on the part of Elliotte Friedman is Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

“I would wonder if the Rangers would try something (with Malkin on a short-term contract),” Friedman said on the That’s Hockey Talk Podcast.

Malkin, 35, finished the year with 42 points in 41 games. He’s wrapping up a deal worth $9.5M AAV against the cap and seems like an attractive option.

However, there was a report during the playoffs that Pittsburgh offered both Malkin and Kris Letang a 3 year-deal worth $5M AAV which they considered too low.

Do the Rangers really want an injury prone Malkin until he’s 38 years-old at over $5M AAV? That’s why this seems ridiculous to even entertain.

New York Rangers center options: The Possible

J.T. Miller

When the offseason started, the Canucks were listening to offers on Miller and Brock Boeser. Well, Boeser has just signed an extension for three years making Miller very likely to be traded.

Miller, 29, was the Canucks leading scorer with 99 points in 80 games this past season. He has one year left on his current deal which comes at a very affordable $5.25M cap hit. Speculation has his next deal expected to be in the $8.5M AAV range for at least 5 years.

Initially I believed the cost to acquire Miller would be too high, but after the Kings acquired Kevin Fiala for a first round pick and a prospect, Elliotte Friedman feels that Vancouver can get a little bit more.

If that’s the case, maybe Nils Lundkvist, and next year’s first-round pick plus a prospect gets it done. That’s much better than the believed ask of Filip Chytil, Braden Schneider, and a first they asked for at the deadline.

Andrew Copp

Although recent reporting has Copp heading to the market, there’s always a chance the Rangers can find a way to sign him. I will admit it seems slim right now.

The 27 year-old was the team’s top trade deadline acquisition. He posted 53 points in 72 games with 18 of those coming with the Blueshirts. In the playoffs, Copp added 6 goals and 14 points in 20 contests. He’s wrapping up a 1-year deal signed with the Winnipeg Jets for $3.6M. According to Jeff Marek on HNIC, Copp is in line for a new contract in the neighborhood of $5.5M AAV. That now appears to be on the low side.

If the two sides can circle back close to those numbers something could happen quickly.

Pierre-Luc Dubois

When it comes to a longterm player fit, the 24 year-old Dubois is perfect. Of course, in a salary cap world his next contract and more importantly the timing of it doesn’t.

Forget the high cost in trading for him, it’s locking him up for 7 years at around $8M AAV being the problem. The Rangers don’t have that money to give right now. Especially when you consider that Alexis Lafreniere, K’Andre Miller, and Filip Chytil all need new deals next summer as we will continue to mention.

Even if Chytil is part of the package, it’s still precarious to sign Dubois for more than two-years. There’s a gamble Drury can take and that’s to bridge him at around $6M AAV until 2024, that’s when Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba’s full no-move clauses become modified. They take up $14.5M in cap space combined.

So would you risk trading Kakko, Nils Lundkvist, and your 2023 1st rd pick for a player that may bolt for his hometown Montreal as a UFA in in 2024?

At the end of the day, you don’t win Cups by not taking some risks. I still think this is possible if the Rangers believe they can bridge him for two seasons and sign him longterm in 2024.

New York Rangers center options: The Realistic

Ryan Strome

I simply can’t rule out re-signing Ryan Strome even if he says he’s testing free agency. Especially not after the way he spoke on breakup day.

“Obviously my heart’s here. The last four years I’ve tried to pour everything into this thing on and off the ice,” an emotional Strome said. “I can’t predict the future but all I know is I love these guys and this team is destined for great things. It’s a little emotional. Honestly, it’s a great group of guys and I hope there’s more.”

The 28 year-old center had a solid season with the Rangers picking up 21 goals and 54 points in 74 regular-season games. In the postseason, he added another 9 points in 19 contests playing badly hurt. Strome completed a 2-year deal he signed with the Blueshirts back in 2020 for $4.5M AAV and maybe his heart will bring him with a favorable team deal.

Mark Scheifele

Scheifele, 29, has two years at $6.125M AAV which many teams would jump at including the Rangers. He had a strong season with 70 points in 67 games and is a perfect for this team and its salary cap needs.

While his AAV may be just a tad higher than what Drury is looking for, it’s that two year contract that’s perfect. It coincides with both Chris Kreider’s and Trouba full no-move clauses becoming modified. They represent $14.5M in cap space that could potentially be freed up to give to younger players.

He would also come at a cheaper trade cost than the aforementioned Miller and Dubois. A package of Filip Chytil and a 2023 first-round pick likely gets it done. By trading Chytil’s one-year remaining at $2.3M, it also frees up cap space to re-sign Frank Vatrano. That’s one less RFA to worry about next summer as well.

Despite Elliotte Friedman noting in his recent 32 Thoughts blog that the Jets want to keep Scheifele around, I believe if push came to shove they’d make the trade.

In asking around about certain prospects and where they fit, things became pretty evident for me. The Rangers are overloaded with high caliber NHL prospects on both the wings and defense. What they lack is another bonafide NHL center – and that’s what they are targeting this summer.

Rangers ready to use assets to make a blockbuster trade

I’ve written about it several times already, but a well placed sources pointed me to the very fact all these prospects won’t play here. Coupled with the tremendous amount of cap space they will have next season, a blockbuster trade becomes a real possibility.

The next question is who would the Rangers consider moving in a deal? Of course that depends on who the available player is. Prime example, the Blueshirts would give up more to acquire a 24 year-old Jack Eichel than a 34 year-old Evgeni Malkin.

As far as moveable assets, I think it’s easier to call out the three untouchables. That would be Alexis Lafreniere, Kaapo Kakko, and K’Andre Miller. A player like Adam Fox should also be added to that mix, as well as Igor Shesterkin. After that, almost anyone on the roster not named Artemi Panarin could be in a package.

From a prospect standpoint, Vitali Kravtsov would be at the top of the list. There could be some thought to Nils Lundkvist but I doubt it. In truth, outside of him I think every prospect could be included in the right deal.

Jack Eichel would be the prized target

For the Rangers it would begin and end with Jack Eichel. There’s been plenty of smoke dating back to this long offseason and I’ve been told that there’s at least a match burning still.

Jeff Gorton pushed hard for Eichel before the season started, but the Sabres would not move him. This isn’t surprising since it’s no secret that the Rangers want to add another star center to the roster. They have Mika Zibanejad but would love an upgrade at 2C, a 1 – 1A if you will.

Eichel’s immediate future in Buffalo seems very dependent on how the Sabres do this year and if they can keep Taylor Hall. If things go in the wrong direction, as many suspect, he could demand a trade.

If that were to happen, Jeff Gorton would undoubtedly make another try for the young star. Let’s not forget, David Quinn has a history with Eichel and would jump at the chance to coach him again.

Eichel has 5 years remaining on an 8 year deal with a $10 million AAV. Financially he’s due another $7.5 million signing bonus in 2022 that the Rangers would gladly pick up.

Who else could become available to the Rangers in a trade

There are plenty of other options for the Rangers to bring in a top center should Eichel not be available. As I mentioned before, Evgeni Malkin could be a nice upgrade and not cost what Eichel would.

Malkin has one more year left on his contract that comes with a $9.5 million AAV. There’s been plenty of talk about his future with the Penguins lately, and he could be had a reasonable price in the offseason.

When you look at other top centers that could be on the market due to cap issues, the Lightning’s Steven Stamkos is another. The 31 year-old has 3 years remaining on his deal with an $8.5 million AAV. This is a case where the package decreases the less Tampa’s willing to retain in salary.

Note: Both have No Move clauses.

Another option is 30 year-old Matt Duchene of the Predators. He’s already being rumored as a trade deadline candidate with Nashville looking to rebuild. While he’s struggled since joining the Preds, he would be another interesting fit on the Blueshirts.

Of course, his contract is prohibitive. He has no restrictions to where he can go, but with 5 years remaining on a deal that has a cap hit of $8 million AAV that makes him hard to move. If the Rangers believe he can top his career high of 70 points playing with Panarin, Kakko, and or Lafreniere he could be worth it.

The package to obtain him would also be predicated on just how much salary Nashville is willing to retain.

Finally, Aleksander Barkov is unlikely to be going anywhere. But if the Panthers were to put him on the block, very much like Eichel the Rangers would give up more. He’s a 25 year-old center with only one year left at a friendly $5.9 million. That’s what Jeff Gorton really wants, a center who will be here for years to come when the team is ready to contend for the Stanley Cup.

Latest NHL Rumors

The latest edition of Rangers Roundup.

More Malkin to NYR trade talk

Add Larry Brooks to the latest list of insiders and beat writers contemplating a Malkin to NY trade. In his latest article Brooks writes that if the price is right, the Rangers may consider adding the 33 year old center to the roster, especially if Panarin costs too much.

But let’s say the price would be right; a Ryan Strome, a Jimmy Vesey, a Ryan Lindgren; a Yegor Rykov; a Pavel Buchnevich? Wait, Buchnevich? Well, he’s another decision looming, the winger coming up on Group II free agency with arbitration rights…We are after all, talking about Malkin, who, though coming off an across the board down year (21-51=72), remains a dynamic presence in the middle and whose addition would elevate the top line/top six. A trade to New York, which he would have to approve given a full no-move clause, would all but certainly reinvigorate one of the very best of his generation.

Larry Brooks NYPOST

What strikes me funny is that it has taken this long for guys like Elliotte Friedman and Larry Brooks to start writing about something that I did way back on April 19th.

As for the ask, here is what I speculated on that day, “…it would be heavy but should not include the #2 pick in the draft (and it won’t). Gorton could send over his first round pick obtained in the Kevin Hayes deal, Chris Kreider, Jimmy Vesey, and a prospect for Malkin and his big contract.

Kakko is really going to make this hard for NJ

At this point Jeff Gorton should just send Ray Shero a sympathy card that says, “I’m sure glad I’m not you.” Kaapo Kakko scored his 6th of the Worlds yesterday and it was one a beauty.

Panarin chatter

Artemi Panarin has been called the top UFA by sites such as TSN, ESPN and others. He is still linked to most likely end up with the Rangers. The rumor mill has been buzzing and the team that everyone feels would be NY’s biggest competitor are the Panthers.

Speculation out of Russia claims Panarin told some fans overseas that he doesn’t want to play in Florida because they don’t have enough fans. While it’s true that the Panthers aren’t a big market hockey town and have had struggles with attendance, it still sounds like fan chatter and nothing more.

Changes in Pittsburgh?

The Penguins weren’t only swept out of the playoffs, they were somewhat embarrassed. This is leading to wide speculation that some major changes could be coming in Pittsburgh.

Rob Rossi who covers the Penguins for The Athletic considers both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin untouchable. However, if Jim Rutherford is looking to restock the shelves quickly to give the only real untouchable, Crosby another Cup run, it makes sense to move Malkin.

Malkin is 32, has an AAV of $9.5M until 2022 when he will be 35 years old. On the positive side, he is still one of the most dominant centers in hockey and scored 72 points in 68 games this season. The year prior he potted 42 goals and 98 points in 78 games.

If the Rangers aren’t confident in signing Panarin, they could go the trade route and attempt to bring in Malkin. On the flip side, it could also make them a more attractive signing destination.

As for the cost, it would be heavy but should not include the #2 pick in the draft (and it won’t). Gorton could send over his first round pick obtained in the Kevin Hayes deal, Chris Kreider, Jimmy Vesey, and a prospect for Malkin and his big contract.

A veteran Russian center in NY with the likes of Kravtsov, Buchnevich, and Shestyorkin all on the same team. The idea isn’t ludicrous.

Rangers at the WC

A quick list of Blueshirts committed to the World Championships this summer:

• Henrik Lundqvist (SWE)
• Chris Kreider (USA)
• Brady Skjei (USA)
• Alexandar Georgiev (RUS)

Vitali Kravtsov and his team Traktor Chelyabinsk qualified for the KHL playoffs today before they even hit the ice. The only remaining team that could knock them out of eighth place, Sibir Novosibirsk, lost today to Avtomobilist.

It is the second consecutive year for Kravtsov to be playing in the postseason in Russia. Last year, he had a strong postseason that saw him climb up the draft rankings with 11 points in 16 games, which is the most by any teenager in a single KHL postseason. His team lost to the eventual champions AK Bars in the conference finals. His strong postseason saw Kravtsov win rookie of the year honors over Nashville Predators prospect Eeli Tolvanen. In addition, if you include the Russian Superleague (RSL), which was in existence from 1992-93 – 2007-08, Kravtsov’s 11 points in the 2018 Gagarin Cup Playoffs were tied for the third-most by a teenager in one playoff year since 1992-93. Since 1992-93, the only teenagers who recorded more points than Kravtsov in one playoff year in Russia’s highest league of professional hockey were Maxim Afinogenov (16 in 1998-99) and Evgeni Malkin (15 in 2005-06), and he is tied for first among 18-year-olds in points in one playoff year over the span.

In the first round, Traktor will take on Avtomobilist, the team that clinched it for them today, and Rangers fans will see a familiar face on that team, Nigel Dawes, who is second in the KHL in goals behind Kirill Kaprizov. What does this mean for Kravtsov’s plans to come to North America? The graph below will explain it to you:

If Kravtsov decides to come over on an entry-level contract, it is most likely only in the summer, and there are two reasons for this. First, his ELC cannot slide. Kravtsov was born in 1999 and will likely sign his ELC in 2019, the calendar year of his 20th birthday. Therefore, his contract is not “slide eligible” and will count the moment he plays his first game in the NHL. Secondly, the Seattle expansion draft in 2021 changes things as well. If the ELC counts this season, Kravtsov needs protection for the expansion draft. If his ELC kicks in over the summer (July 1st), he would be exempt.

Later today, Kravtsov plays in the penultimate game of the season against Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod and their final game on Friday will be against SKA St. Petersburg, the team of fellow Rangers prospect Igor Shestyorkin.

After the Rangers finally announced that Alain Vigneault had been relieved of his head coaching duties, the immediate question became who would replace the 56-year-old bench boss.

There are a few names that have popped up over the season that would seem to be good fits for this very young Rangers team. Two are veteran NHL coaches, two are AHL coaches, and two are people who have never coached in North America. That shouldn’t scare anyone, but we will go through each one and make a case why he should be the 35th head coach of the New York Rangers.

Darryl Sutter

Getty Images

Most known as the guy who led the Los Angeles Kings to two Stanley Cup championships, including when the Kings defeated Alain Vigneault and the Rangers in 2014. Sutter’s teams played a hard-nosed style that combined speed, grit, and all-around intensity that gave his club a never-say-die attitude that saw the Blueshirts surrender leads in three of the four games they lost.

Sutter was not given a contract to coach this season, where the argument was that his style of coaching has been slowly fazed out of the NHL. But for a team that will need structure and a strong voice behind the bench, Sutter would seem to be a very good option for the Rangers.

Dan Bylsma

One name that hasn’t been talked about much at all is former Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma. A big reason why he should get some consideration from Jeff Gorton and the Rangers’ brass is that Bylsma is largely responsible for developing the talents of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin into the, perhaps, all-time greats they both are.

Bylsma spent a large part of his early professional coaching career in the AHL, coaching the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins before being promoted midseason to the Pens in 2008. Bylsma took those Penguins to the finals, with an 18-3-4 record to close out the regular season that saw them earn the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. Bylsma is an offensive-minded coach who will certainly put his budding talents in the best position to succeed.

Sheldon Keefe

Perhaps the most talked about man over the course of the season has been Toronto Marlies head coach Sheldon Keefe.

Keefe has spent his entire coaching career developing young talent, where he has coached current Rangers prospects Tony DeAngelo, Tim Gettinger and Brandon Halverson with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the OHL. From Sault Ste. Marie, Keefe was hired by the Marlies, where he has been responsible for developing bright young stars in Toronto like William Nylander, Kasperi Kapanen, Connor Carrick, Travis Dermott, Andreas Johnsson, and Calle Rosen to name a few.

Keefe has a major upside over his NHL-experienced “competition” in that he is a young guy coaching in the latest iteration of professional hockey in North America; a game predicated on speed and skill as opposed to huge hits and gritty play in the corners. He has shown the ability to mold and develop top-end young talent, and with the Rangers having a bevy of guys that fit this description, he would be a great choice for the New York Rangers.

Marco Sturm

You might recognize this name from his playing days, but Marco Sturm has turned the German national team into a formidable contender on the world stage. The Germans took the hockey world by surprise at the 2018 Olympics, first by defeating Canada to advance to the gold medal game, which they would lose in overtime to Rangers prospect Igor Shestyorkin and the Russians.

Much like his playing style, a never-quit forward that wasn’t afraid to go into the dirty areas, Sturm has instilled those values into the teams that he has coached. The growth of the German hockey program is largely due to Sturm’s success both on the ice and behind the bench. I’ve been saying for a while that if the Rangers as a team played more like Jesper Fast, they’d be in a much better place. While not a young Swede, Sturm played the same style of game that Fast does for the Blueshirts, and he can indoctrinate a young group with a great work-ethic, regardless of the situation.

Filip Pešán

Speaking of international coaches, another name that could be in consideration is Filip Pešán from the Czech Republic. 

Pešán coached the Czech team at the World Juniors in Buffalo, guiding Rangers prospects Filip Chytil and Libor Hajek to the bronze medal game at the tournament.

Much like Sheldon Keefe, Pešán is a young upstart coach who has done well in molding young talents for success. The Rangers certainly have a lot of those coming into training camp next season, and depending on the system he chooses to employ, could be an exciting guy behind the Blueshirts bench.

Keith McCambridge

One final name that shouldn’t be discarded from the conversation is Hartford Wolf Pack head coach Keith McCambridge. I don’t see him getting the “call-up” to 4 Pennsylvania Plaza this summer, but McCambridge did spend a significant amount of time with guys like Lias Andersson, Filip Chytil, and Tony DeAngelo, among others, down in Hartford. The Rangers need a voice that the players are going to respect and listen to from day one and having someone potentially rise the ranks of the organization along with the players could be a good way to go.

The Rangers are looking toward the future now and one of these six men could be the one to lead the Blueshirts for the next few years. The only question that remains is who will be the 35th head coach of the New York Rangers.

[socialpoll id=”2496726″]

This time last year, there was plenty of reason for optimism amongst Rangers fans. They brought their most highly regarded prospect, Pavel Buchnevich over, from Russia. They defied all of the hockey insiders by signing Jimmy Vesey to add to an already talented group of forwards. Trade acquisitions Mika Zibanejad and Nick Holden, along with a full season of another rookie, Brady Skjei, added to the intrigue of a fairly complete, and well-rounded squad. But this year feels different to me.

Too Many Defenseman?

Kevin Shattenkirk is a great addition as a free agent. He has his defensive deficiencies, but his power play prowess, fine skating, and passing abilities should make the Rangers stronger. Trade deadline pickup Brendan Smith was a nice re-sign, considering his solid chemistry to the very important Brady Skjei. I would like to look forward to Anthony DeAngelo’s skill set, along with Neal Pionk’s play. A long look at the more mature Sean Day would be very interesting. But, there are still too many veteran defensemen ahead of those three youngsters.

Marc Staal and Nick Holden were a very good second pairing last year, and then saw a considerable drop in their play. Some whisper that the concussion that Staal suffered hampered his play as the year went along. Either way, bringing back both of those players impedes the possibility of DeAngelo (provided he has grown a whole lot), Pionk, Day, or Russian import Alexei Bereglazov of making a significant impact. While Bereglazov should make the team’s top seven, the other three have the option of playing in Hartford. From an armchair, it’s real easy to say Staal and Holden shouldn’t play if our Russian import and DeAngelo can outplay them. But, NHL general managers aren’t going to just lose their depth on the blue line for the price of nothing. Staal cannot be waived or traded, with his No Movement Clause having one year left. So, much to the chagrin of many, his spot is secure, unless he is somehow traded.

As for Holden, he doesn’t make enough for me to worry about his feelings if he sits in the press box for most of the season. But by the same token, if he were waived, he would surely get snatched up, with his fairly low cap hit at $1.65 million, and ability to play both sides at a decent level. It is also well known that Bereglazov has an out in his contract to return to the KHL if he is sent down to the AHL.

Broken Promises at Center?

Now we return to the position that is truly maddening, center. We all know that the team has lost Oscar Lindberg and Derek Stepan this offseason, and only signed the very marginal David Desharnais to be a 4th line pivot. Incumbents Kevin Hayes and Mika Zibanejad both missed time due to injury last year, as did Desharnais. This position is on thin ice (pun intended) before the puck is even dropped on the 2017-18 season. GM Jeff Gorton very publicly stated that there would be trades and that “his phone rings more now with his team having cap space.” Well, we are still waiting for that center.

But it didn’t end there. In an interview with Dan Rosen, head coach Alain Vigneault says that acquiring a third line center is “definitely a possibility, and could be in the cards.” Again, teasing the media and the fans that a gaping hole could be filled, as well as possibly clearing up a logjam on defense.

The problem with all of this is that when the people that run the team are stating a need to go outside the organization, it puts the team at the mercy of the rest of the NHL. It also sets up the fans and media to jump all over the team if injuries occur to centers or even if there is a losing skid. People will point right to the unfulfilled intentions stated by the GM and head coach.

Bottom Line

The center position is so important in today’s NHL. Without a Crosby, Malkin, or McDavid, a team needs depth down the middle to compete. The Rangers haven’t had a superstar first line center in many years. The team’s success has been attributed to depth rather than the big, go-to guy. Now, they don’t have that depth. Lias Andersson (2017 first round pick, 18 years old) and the oft-injured Cristoval Nieves, are battling for the vacant center spot, with the “loser” providing the only depth. Sorry, that does not inspire confidence. Also, rather than hoping that Hayes and Zibanejad have better years and progress, the team needs them to do just that.

The rumors out of New York and Toronto of Tyler Bozak coming to the Big Apple in a trade have amounted to nothing so far. The Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Matt Duchene talk have been just that. If management can’t fill the obvious glaring need at center, the season could be doomed before it starts. Two years ago, Derek Stepan broke his leg the first time he touched the ice in training camp. Zibanejad missed 26 games last year. Desharnais missed 33. So you see how this can go real bad in a real quick. And if there are no injuries, that third line center spot is not in sure hands by any means.

Trades in September and October have become very rare in the NHL. That’s not to say it’s impossible. But team management faces an uphill battle to clear up some excess at one position and fill a huge hole at another. Until then, be optimistic, but be forewarned.