The chatter here in Sin City is that Jonathan Marchessault, Patrick Kane and Steven Stamkos will reach UFA status Monday. Sam Reinhart is more of a toss up as his agent continues to try and get a deal done with the Florida Panthers.

And Jake Guentzel? Well, the Carolina Hurricanes traded Guentzel’s negotiating rights to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a 2025 third-round draft pick Sunday. The Lightning just freed up some cash after making two big trades Saturday, unloading defenseman Mikhail Sergachev and forward Tanner Jeannot, and likely wouldn’t give up a third rounder if they weren;t confident of signing Guentzel before Monday

So, that leaves Stamkos on the outs after 16 seasons, 555 goals and two Stanley Cup championships with the Lightning.

NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun reported Friday that Stamkos’ agent, Don Meehan, texted him that the Lightning captain “will be a free agent on July 1.”

Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois said Friday, “both sides are interested in getting a deal done.” But the issue, shockingly, is cost and term. It’d be a tough blow if the Lightning lost the franchise icon who scored 40 goals this past season. But that appears how it’s shaking out.

Kane is still speaking with the Detroit Red Wings but appears headed to the open market. And Marchessault and the Vegas Golden Knights want to get a deal done, but it could go down to the wire because of, yes, the dollars and cents (More so the dollars!).

Told that Kane is still talking with Detroit about extension, unclear at this point whether 88 will hit the free agent market on Monday.

— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) June 29, 2024

Related: Patrick Kane linked again to Rangers ahead of 2024 NHL free agency

Rangers to decide soon if they’ll chase top-end free agents to play right wing

But even if these All-Stars are all available July 1, can and/or will the Rangers try to land one of them? Guentzel and Reinhart are probably the most expensive options. Because of their age, Kane (36), Stamkos (34) and Marchessault (33) could be more affordable, though certainly not cheap.

Then there’s the next level of free agent right wings like Tyler Toffoli, Anthony Duclair and Vladimir Tarasenko.

Any of these forwards mentioned is a better option that Jack Roslovic, who skated alongside Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider after the NHL trade deadline this past season. After meager production, Roslovic, who hits the open market Monday, ended up on the fourth line by the end of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with Kaapo Kakko, Filip Chytil and Alex Wennberg each getting turns as top-line right wing.

Speaking of Kakko, the 23-year-old was not traded Friday when the Rangers stood pat in the first round of the draft and selected defenseman EJ Emery with the No. 30 overall pick.

“It’s not something we really talked about, we just went about our business,” Rangers director of player personnel and amateur scouting John Lilley explained. “We were comfortable with the way the list was falling as to who we were going to get. So, we just stayed pat.”

If the Rangers want in on the best free-agent right wings Monday, they’ll need more cap space. Especially looking ahead to next season, when Igor Shesterkin (UFA), Alexis Lafreniere (RFA) and K’Andre Miller (RFA) are due major raises. As it stands, the Rangers have a projected $13.695 million in available cap space.

That’s why the most buzz around the Rangers is about them trading captain Jacob Trouba to rid the cap of his $8 million salary each of the next two seasons. Of course, it’s not that simple since the Blueshirts would also need to replace him in the lineup.

The clock continues to tick, now here in Las Vegas, and then back home in New York on Monday.

Despite these moves, some incredibly bold, New York remains without a Stanley Cup since 1994. While it may seem like a stretch, there is one player whose name has been brought up with the Rangers time and time again, Steven Stamkos.

Of course, we’ve all heard the story of the supposed “done deal” that would have sent Stamkos to Broadway at only 20 years old in a massive trade that fell through. Since then, Stamkos’ name has been linked to New York numerous times. This year, however, the pieces could finally fall into place.

Related: New York Rangers trade tiers

Rangers should go after Steven Stamkos (if he’s available)

Stamkos is in the final year of his contract with Tampa Bay and has yet to sign an extension. Furthermore, Tampa has made it clear that they won’t negotiate a new contract until after the season, opening the door for a trade deadline deal if the team is not in a playoff spot.

The Lightning are an average 15-13-5 this season, and it is looking like their reign as one of the most feared teams in the league may be coming to an end. It could be the perfect time to ship Stamkos off to a contender in order to acquire some young talent and draft picks.

Enter the New York Rangers.

As one of the best teams in the NHL right now, the Rangers will undoubtedly be looking for that final piece to send them over the top. While the consensus is that the Blueshirts need some help on the right wing, adding a superstar center like Stamkos is too intriguing to not give it a look. He has also spent time at left wing, but with Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin locked in on the left side, Stamkos would likely center the second or third line.

What a Stamkos trade may look like

Of course, the Rangers will have to give up a bit in order to make this happen. With a cap hit of $8.5 million, New York would have to make room for Stamkos’ contract even with Tampa retaining salary. The first casualty of this trade would most likely be Filip Chytil. Assuming he returns from injury and can find his game, he would be a great young center for a team like Tampa Bay to acquire. His $4.5 million salary being moved would also help a great deal in making room for Stamkos.

The Rangers would most likely have to give up another young and promising player. Zac Jones is a name that comes to mind. As the Rangers’ seventh defenseman this season, losing Jones would not hurt too much for New York. He is a young and promising player who could become a regular in the lineup should he be moved to the Lightning.

Couple Chytil and Jones with a first round pick, and you have a solid trade package for the 33-year-old forward. As the years pass, rentals have been coming at a much more affordable cost, making this deal relatively friendly for both sides.

Bringing in a two-time Stanley Cup champion with 1,090 points to his name could be just what the Rangers need. At 33 years old, Stamkos has 34 points (15G-19A) in 30 games this season. He is projected to finish the year with 84 points, proving he still has a lot left in the tank. While it didn’t pan out with Patrick Kane, a healthy Stamkos could make the Rangers too powerful to take down.

The next question to be asked is what would the lineup of the Rangers look like with Stamkos thrown into the mix? Assuming Chytil goes the other way, and the Rangers are fully healthy, here is a potential forward grouping that the Blueshirts could run with:

Kreider – Zibanejad – Wheeler
Panarin – Stamkos – Lafreniere
Cuylle – Trocheck – Kakko
Goodrow – Bonino – Vesey

On paper, this group of forwards comes with incredible depth. Yes, Vincent Trocheck has been incredible on the second line. That being said, it’s simply too tempting to not have Stamkos in the top-six. Stashing him on the third line seems like a disservice when he could potentially create something special playing with another superstar in Artemi Panarin.

Any way you draw the lines up, bringing in Steven Stamkos has the potential to make the Rangers a juggernaut. It is important to remember that this is all hypothetical and probably a long shot. Both Tampa Bay and Stamkos want his career to end in a Lightning uniform. However, that is proving to be a difficult task for the pending UFA and the Tampa Bay management. Should the right pieces fall into place, Stamkos just might be putting on another sweater later on this season.

Good for Stamkos, hasn't let his contract situation affect his play at all this season. As I mentioned on Insider Trading yesterday, nothing has changed on the contract front, the Bolts still plan to wait until after the season to address that situation. https://t.co/yslxtBk4O9

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 15, 2023

However, if there is an opportunity to upgrade and also have a backup plan should Mike Zibanejad want to test the free agency in 2022, the Rangers have to look into it.

Here are the top Rangers trade targets.

Jack Eichel, 24 years-old

Depending on their comfortability with Jack Eichel’s neck issue, Drury will likely pull the trigger on a blockbuster deal involving the #15 pick in the lottery and more. That would give the Sabres two picks in the first half of a deep draft of talented prospects.

Eichel checks all the boxes when healthy. He’s an elite center, and is insurance if the Rangers and Mika Zibanejad fail to come to an extension before the NHL trade deadline next season. He’s the perfect age at 24 to grow with this young ensemble cast. And while the Rangers interest had cooled in May it has heated back up.

Acquiring Eichel will cost the Rangers, and it appears Buffalo is not interested in Ryan Strome. The deal would likely include Filip Chytil and Zac Jones, but the other piece is the question mark. I believe the Rangers are willing to include Vitali Kravtsov but the Sabres are insisting on Kaapo Kakko.

If the Ducks are as all in as many claim, and willing to part with Trevor Zegras it will be a tough decision for Drury. While I don’t think the Rangers will part with Kakko, don’t rule it out. Then again, taking on $10 million in salary for the next 5 seasons is not an easy thing for many teams to do. Including Kakko without Buffalo retaining salary is an overpay.

Evgeny Kuznetsov, 29 years-old

The Capitals are rumored to be willing to move Kuznetsov and his $7.8 million cap hit for the next four years.  “I think we’re always open to trading people if it makes sense for what’s going on,” MacLellan commented during his exit presser.

The offensive talented pivot has a 15 team no move clause, and comes with a buyer beware sign. It’s been reported that they have run out of patience with his antics. Kuznetsov was disciplined several times this season by the organization, and that needs to be taken into consideration.

As far as what the Caps are looking for, it would not be anything near an Eichel package. In this case, Ryan Strome and Zac Jones probably gets it done. The Rangers get an upgrade at center, and also don’t add too much salary by moving out Strome’s $4.5 million.

Sean Monahan, 26 years-old

Monahan has two years remaining on a deal that has a $6.375 AAV and is coming off a down season. Some believe that it would lower the cost of acquisition, but I doubt it. However, he had hip surgery and is expected to be ready for next season. That could be a factor to drive the cost down, not one bad season.

For his career, Monahan has 439 points in 591 games. That is a points per game average of .74 since he broke into the NHL at 19 and played 75 games. Back in 2018-19, Monahan scored 82 points in 78 games. He’s potted 30 goals three times in his 8 years in the league as well. All very solid 2C numbers for sure, maybe even 1A.

I know what you are thinking. Can he win face-offs? The answer is yes. While he’s not a specialist, he has a career average in the dots of 50.2 and can hold his own. Monahan is also very good defensively, and does not take bad penalties.

This is another deal where a package of Filip Chytil and Zac Jones may get it done.

Long shot: Steven Stamkos, 31 years-old

The rumor mill is starting to churn regarding the Tampa Bay Lightning. They are way over the cap and its widely known that they need to move some pieces. Maybe some big pieces.

Depending on if they can trade players like Tyler Johnson and Alex Killorn, Tampa may be forced to think bigger. Why? Because Brayden Point will be a RFA after next season and Tampa wants to lock him up to an 8 year deal in the $9 million range and up.

So could we see Steven Stamkos waive his no trade clause? Some believe it could happen. He has 3 more seasons at $8.5 million and would automatically be given the captaincy. This may seem far-fetched to read now, but if Drury misses out on Eichel and Stamkos is available, this is the move he makes.

As far as a trade package, think prospects and draft picks. Cost controlled players like Vitali Kravtsov and Zac Jones fit the bill.

NHL Trade Rumors

Latest trade rumors, including Jack Eichel and Vladimir Tarasenko. Read more.

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 Rangers trade up to 8th overall to select Anton Lundell

The Rangers will be taking winger Alexis Lafreniere with the first overall pick at the draft. However, New York is very thin down the middle and needs a center.

The Sabres need to start winning to keep Jack Eichel happy and in Buffalo. It’s time for them to start trading for today and not tomorrow. That’s why Jeff Gorton could wheel the 22nd pick in the draft along with Pavel Buchnevich or the rights to Tony DeAngelo for the 8th overall pick.

New York would then use that to select Finnish center, Anton Lundell and pair him with Kaapo Kakko for a decade. The reaction by many fans would be anguish, but Lundell is the real deal. He may be the best playmaking center in this draft.

New York Rangers trade for Patrik Laine

The Winnipeg Jets are dangling right wing Patrik Laine for a center and a defenseman. So how about packaging the rights of Tony DeAngelo and Ryan Strome to Winnipeg for Patrik Laine?

Yes, this would be a wild one and have an absolute domino effect on the lineup. Obviously the Rangers would have to then move Pavel Buchnevich in a trade for a center to replace Strome.

Rangers trade the 22nd overall pick for Steven Stamkos at 50% cap retention

The Rangers have always loved Steven Stamkos. The Lightning need to shed salary cap space at all costs. There is no center Jeff Gorton can draft at 22 that will help the team right away. Stamkos would center Panarin and Kakko for the next four years.

The 30 year-old center has four years left on a deal that pays $8.5 million. If Tampa is willing to retain 50%, NY gets an All-Star pivot for $4.25 on the cap. Less than they would have to pay Strome. Stammer will be only 33 when his contract is up.

Vitali Kravtsov scores another strong goal

In this clip, you can see Vitali on the PP, driving to the net. His skill set shows when he gets in tights. He has great hands and reach. What is also key to note is that it was Kravtsov gaining the blue-line and starting the play.

Putting Kravtsov at center?

Vitali Kravtsov has 2 goals on 20 shots through after 4 games this season. His willingness to shoot is promising. While Kravtsov is more comfortable as a winger, he has played a little center and prospect expert, Craig Button would like to see him there.

Button answered a Twitter question with regards to Kravtsov’s ceiling. ” [He’s a] solid middle 6 forward. Will provide offense but not be prolific. I have liked the idea of having him expand his game & play center. I think he becomes more of a two-way center than an offensive winger when he plays the wing. I think Vitali is still scratching out his niche.”

Interesting thought. Would you like to see the Rangers convert him from wing to center, ala Kevin Hayes?

Tony DeAngelo (minor update)

Yesterday’s Rangers Roundup was focused on Larry Brooks’s article implying the team needed to traded him or risk losing Nils Lundkvist. According to Brooks, “a contract of longer than one year for DeAngelo would all but ensure losing 20-year-old righty defenseman Nils Lundkvist to unrestricted free agency on June 2, 2022, without ever getting the Swede to Broadway.”

While this is a possibility, it remains likely an extremely low one to happen. Brooks also ignores the fact that Tony DeAngelo could still be traded after signing his next deal if the Rangers were afraid of such a scenario.

On Sunday, I spoke with a league contact who told me, “Do you recall the last time a player, a first round pick no less, actually did that?” That should at least eliminate Brooks’ main reason why they would trade DeAngelo. It doesn’t mean they wouldn’t move him, but for fear of Nils waiting it out to sign elsewhere isn’t the case.

Trading for Steven Stamkos

One final note. Late yesterday I wrote about how the Rangers went after Steven Stamkos twice, and would now make sense to go after him again? It caused quite a stir and led to some pretty insulting remarks on social media.

The problem is some people read that as a “trade rumor”. It wasn’t. It was purely a speculative article that explored an idea. An idea that the Rangers tried twice before.

It is real easy to criticize people these days online. Too many feel that if you put something on a website, that gives them a license to say whatever they want at the author. While you are absolutely free to disagree, insulting is pretty ridiculous and unnecessary. Especially when most of the people doing so, didn’t read past the headline.

NHL and New York Rangers news

Catch up on all the latest headlines and rumors at The Daily Goal Horn.

Glen Sather “acquired” Steven Stamkos in 2009

“How close did we come?” Sather repeated back Larry Brooks’ question. “We shook hands on it, that’s how close.” So then, why isn’t Steven Stamkos a New York Ranger right now!

As the story was told to the NY Post by Glen Sather in 2010, the deal was struck with co-owner Len Barrie. Unfortunately, he did not have full authority to make the deal and angry GM, Brian Lawton went to co-owner, Oren Koules and then it was nixed.

The Rangers talked Stamkos trade at the draft in 2016

Back in 2016, I wrote how the Rangers should go after the “free agent of a lifetime” here. According to John Shannon, who was with Sportsnet at the time, the Rangers made an “offer” for Stamkos at the draft.

“I heard on the floor this morning that there is a big offer, potentially,because they can’t talk money,” Shannon said. “Watch the New York Rangers in the Steven Stamkos derby.”

A Sportsnet article discussed how a possible sign and trade could be worked out between all three parties. In essence, TB would be able to sign him for the max term of 8 years and send him to his desired destination as well. It was something GM, Steve Yzerman actually discussed on draft day.

“Never given it a thought so maybe I should think about it,” Yzerman said when asked about the sign-and-trade scenario at the entry draft last weekend. “It’s an interesting idea … well losing him for nothing or losing him for an asset? I’d love to get an asset for him.”

Sportsnet

Eventually, Stamkos and Lightning agreed to an 8 year deal, a no movement clause, with a cap hit of $8.5 million.

Third time is the charm, should the Rangers bring in Stamkos?

We know that Jeff Gorton tried to acquire him in 2016, can he finally complete the deal in 2020? I mean, the Tampa Bay Lightning are cap strapped. They want to retain both of their big RFA’s in Anthony Cirelli and Mikhail Sergachev. Do they eat some of Stamkos salary over the remaining four years to make it happen?

I mean, this is a game changer depending on how much Tampa can retain? Or would they consider buying out the 29 year old star center, making him a UFA? Can the Rangers make him fit at $6 million per season and is he worth the risk with his recent rash of injuries? These are all tough questions.

Of course, the Rangers need to send over something to get him. The Rangers do have that first round pick 22nd overall they could use. They have plenty of prospects too. Remember, this is a cap shaving move for Tampa. Jeff Gorton doesn’t have to give up a whole lot, unless the Lightning retain 50% of his salary.

Now do you do it? That would likely spell the end of Ryan Strome in New York. Of course, if Stamkos is healthy next season and centering Artemi Panarin, it could be worth the risk.

Latest NHL Rumors!

Check it out here, at The Daily Goal Horn.

Henrik Lundqvist

Travis Yost of TSN is the latest NHL reporter to wonder just what will happen with Henrik Lundqvist this summer. Being a Rangers-centric site, we have covered this in-depth from trade to retirement and what those implications are. Here’s just a bit from the TSN article. Ultimately it does little to answer questions, instead just raises more. One thing I can confidently say, the window to trade Alexandar Georgiev has passed and it will come down to what happens with Hank this summer.

Lundqvist may not be the same goalie he once was, but he’s still quite capable. He has a no-movement clause, but with one year and an $8.5-million cap hit remaining on his current deal, he is certainly a tradeable asset. The questions here are significant too. Would Lundqvist have any interest in playing elsewhere? Would the Rangers want to see their face of the franchise playing elsewhere? Do the Rangers feel like they are ready to transition from a guy who is closing in on 1,000 games played? Or do they look at trading a prospect – it’s hard for me to believe they would consider shipping Shesterkin, but Georgiev is an intriguing trade candidate – to acquire more assets?

TSN

Art Ross Hunting

Leon Draisaitl had himself a night and is in line to win the Art Ross Trophy for the first time in his career.

Change to the Offside Rule

News is coming out of Florida that a change to the offside rule is coming.

Big Injuries

The NYR have lost Chris Kreider to a fractured foot with no timetable to return. Tampa lost Steven Stamkos for 6 to 8 weeks to repair a muscle in his core. Finally, the Jackets did lose Josh Anderson officially for this season.

The White Walkers from beyond the wall of Winnipeg made coming back from a 3-0 deficit look like nothing. The Rangers managed to hold a lead, while at one point only registering four – yes, four – shots on goal in the first period and a half. The King in the Northeast was the only reason the Rangers even had a breath in that game. Winnipeg is an extremely talented team that is in my opinion, one of four real contenders to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup in June.

One of the other four teams on my shortlist are the enemies in the south, the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bolts have been extremely close for the last handful of years, and after a multitude of moves, they look like they are ready to win the final game of the season. On December 10, the Rangers headed south to face off with the high-powered Lightning, and the outcome was as expected. Tampa defeated Quinn’s Rangers by a score of 6-3, in a game that the Rangers played pretty well.

The point is, when the Rangers go up against high-powered teams such as the Jets and Bolts, they are clearly out-matched. Even in a game where they played well against Tampa, they were still run out of the building. The Rangers are not ready to compete, and fans need to accept that. Yes, it is fun to watch the young guns play and grow, but the reality is they are a number of pieces away from being in the same conversation as the Winnipegs or Tampa Bays of the NHL. So how did the Jets and Bolts get to this level? 

Yes, Steve Yzerman is a cap specialist – partially being he does not have to pay up because of no state tax in Florida – and he and Cheveldayoff are fantastic drafters. But both teams have something else in common, both of them had the luxury of receiving a top-two pick at some point in the NHL draft. In 2008, the Tampa Bay Lightning struck gold when receiving the number one overall pick in the lottery, and, as we all know, selected Canadian center Steven Stamkos. Stammer has been a bonafide all-star since entering the league. The other night, he notched his 700^th point in fewer than 700 games against none other than the Rangers. Tampa, as we know, is a perennial powerhouse in the NHL and their captain is a tremendous reason for that. In 2016, the Winnipeg Jets landed the number two overall pick via the lottery. And after American sensation, Auston Matthews went first overall to Brendan Shanahan and the Leafs, the Jets took Finnish sniper Patrik Laine. Laine, from what we can see in just a little over two years, is the next coming of Alex Ovechkin. He is a scoring machine and does it at will. Laine has already achieved superstar status in the league.

So what’s the point? The Rangers are in a spot where they can finish at the bottom of the standings in the entire league this year. Though it might be rough, there is a light at the end of the tunnel in the forms of 2019 NHL Draft phenoms Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko. Yes, I understand that the NHL is not like the NFL where the worst team picks first, and so on and so forth. The fact of the matter is though, the closer to the bottom you are, the better chance you have to land in the top three. It is possible for a team that finishes in last does not get rewarded the number one pick. On the contrary, it rarely EVER happens that they fall even out of the top two picks. I am not saying that you cannot find talent outside of the top two picks in the first round, because you obviously can. Look no further than last year. Swedish center Elias Pettersson, who is currently ripping up the league, went fifth overall. He is, in my opinion, by far the best player from the 2017 draft, as he was pre-draft for me as well.

Let me give you some perspective about the top teams in the league and what they have in common. Teams 1-9, at least in my opinion, are as follows: Tampa, Toronto, Calgary, Nashville, Winnipeg, Buffalo, Washington, Colorado, and Anaheim. Aside from the Preds and the Flames, every other team has a player that went first or second overall, and are some of the top players in the entire league. The only two teams that do not have a player selected first or second overall – the Flames and Preds – do have players selected in the top six. The Flames drafted Matthew Tkachuk sixth overall in 2016, and the Preds acquired the fourth overall pick from the 2010 draft, Ryan Johansen.

All in all, the Rangers need to bottom out in hopes of getting Hughes or Kakko. All of the great teams around the league have landed a top two draft pick and built their teams around them. Again, I understand that the draft selections are based on a lottery, but the further down in the standings the Rangers are, the better chance they have at landing a special, homegrown, star in a Hughes or Kakko.

NHL free agency has arrived, and with that comes difficult multi-million dollar decisions. The New York Rangers face an abundance of players that will be put up for auction for the league to bid on. One of those players is fourth-year center, Kevin Hayes.

Hayes, who is coming off of a career high in goals and also faceoff winning percentage, is an RFA. For me, I believe he should be part of the rebuilding Rangers. But, if that doesn’t happen and Hayes is moved after July 1st, how will the Rangers replace him? Could younger players move up to take his spot? Will a new face emerge from free agency to take Hayes’ spot?

Familiar Faces

Hayes is a second–line center who also spent time as a winger. What this means is that under Zibanejad at 1C, the lines can be mixed and matched depending on the handedness of the center for the bottom-nine.

This team is in full rebuild mode and it is apparent by their activity since July 1 that all eyes aren’t on next season being “The Year.” Vladislav Namestnikov is returning for two years at $4 million AAV, and the signing of stay-at-home defenseman Fredrik Claesson shows the status of the team.

With Namestnikov returning, the absence of Hayes moves him back to his normal role of center. For all intents and purposes, Vlad was dynamite with Tampa Bay, playing alongside Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov, but was a dud once he became a Blueshirt. 

Lias Andersson, Flip Chytil, and Vinni Lettieri could command the fourth line as the youth movement marches on to MSG.  

Best of the Rest

The Rangers could also look to dabble with their approximately $25 million of cap space on some older free agents. Losing Hayes opens a spot for the RW on the third or fourth lines. Zuccarello, Fast and possibly Ty Ronning would make up the entire right side of the Rangers forward core.

The wildfire of the first two days of free agency have come and gone and a plethora of potentials have gone to other teams in the league. Ryan Reaves and Michael Grabner were two names that grabbed a lot of traction but to no avail. Tobias Rieder and even Rick Nash was a possibility for the Blueshirts. But as I said they came and went and the Rangers stood idly by, and for good reason.

Hey Hey Hayes!

In all seriousness, I believe that Kevin Hayes should be involved in this upcoming rebuild. He has improved his scoring each season and seems to be improving as a valuable centerman. Varying between the wing and center is something that can’t be continued. Gaining back Namestnikov and pushing him back to his role as a center will make bringing back Hayes a lot easier. 

Nevertheless, Hayes staying as a center leaves Zibanejad, Hayes, Namestnikov, and Chytil as the four men down the middle. Zucc and Fast remain on the right wing from last year’s team, with a possibility of Ty Ronning and Vinni Lettieri emerging out of training camp. The left side is considerably set with Kreider, Buchnevich, and Andersson filling three of the four lines.

Jimmy Vesey is another question mark as he too is an RFA. Vesey’s performance in his first two seasons of professional hockey has been a bit on the lackluster side. He held a Corsi for of around 45% in both years and was on the ice for a considerable amount of goals against with a plus/minus of -31. Again, the Rangers have a lot of cap space this offseason, so being able to bring back Vesey is entirely possible on a short-term deal like two-years and $1.5 million AAV.  

It will come at a price, however, with former Ranger JT Miller signing an impressive 5x$5.25 million deal with Tampa Bay. Miller shined in his final 19 games with the Lightning, scoring eight goals and contributing on ten others. In comparison to Miller, Hayes performed less, except for scoring the puck. I would value Hayes at five-years, $4.75 million AAV, and for that, he may sign. 

Whether or not Hayes is a Ranger or not come October is impossible to predict. This is the hardest decision the Rangers must make in terms of all free-agent signings this offseason.