So, that means don’t rule out a pricey free agent, like Jake Guentzel, Sam Reinhart or Jonathan Marchessault. Don’t overlook Kaapo Kakko, Brennan Othmann or even Will Cuylle. And consider every other option in between.

It could also mean Alexis Lafreniere switches lines next season. Lafreniere could play alongside Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, giving Kakko or someone else the chance to flourish with Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck.

Drury didn’t outline the Rangers plan this summer, other than to say all options are on the table.

If they want a big-time free agent, the Rangers must free up money under the salary cap to make it happen. That could come in the form of trading Kakko, Jacob Trouba and/or Barclay Goodrow, or buying out one of the latter two.

New York is $10.053 million under the cap and still needs to re-sign restricted free agents Ryan Lindgren and Braden Schneider, plus add another defenseman.

Related: NHL Insider says this Rangers forward is top NHL buyout candidate

Tyler Toffoli could be intriguing free-agent fit for Rangers

If the Rangers wish to drop down a tier in free agency, a more cost-effective option is Tyler Toffoli, especially if they don’t get stuck with a long-term contract. Toffoli is 32 and likely wants that one last big contract with the security of significant term. But if the Rangers can keep a Toffoli signing to four years or less, that could be very intriguing.

Toffoli averaged $4.25 million on his last contract, and will see a raise on that, likely at least a million dollars more per season, If he gets into the $6 million range, the Rangers likely would be out on him.

The power forward brings grit, a willingness to forecheck and win puck battles and scoring ability. He’s had consecutive 30-goal seasons and scored 20+ goals seven times. He also a Stanley Cup winner, in 2014 with the Los Angeles Kings, and helped the Montreal Canadiens reach the Cup Final in 2021, when they lost to the Tampa Bay lightning.

Toffoli is a solid power-play performer but he gets it done at even strength too. He scored 24 goals at even strength with the Calgary Flames in 2022-23 and 22 last season with the New Jersey Devils and Winnipeg Jets. He drove play on whatever line he played on last season with New Jersey, a consistent 5v5 presence.

This isn’t the first time Toffoli is an option for the Rangers. Reportedly, they had some level of interest in him prior to the trade deadline this past season, and it’s hard to imagine he wouldn’t have been a better fit than Jack Roslovic, whom the Rangers acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets and placed on the top line with Zibanejad and Kreider with les than sterling results.

Even if the Rangers decide to move Lafreniere to that line in 2024-25, Toffoli could be a comfortable fit on a line with Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck, too.

Simply, he makes a lot of sense for the Rangers to pursue at the right price and shorter term length this offseason.

Also going to Montreal in the deal are journeyman forward Tyler Pitlick, prospect Emil Heineman and a 2025 fifth-round pick.

If Calgary protects its 2022 pick, the Habs will get a first-round pick in 2023 as well as a fourth-rounder in 2024, according to multiple reports.

NHL Trade: Flames acquire Toffoli from Canadiens

Toffoli, 29, has 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists) in 37 games this season, his second in Montreal. He signed with the Canadiens as a free agent in October 2020, helping the club reach the Stanley Cup Finals last season.

“He’s a winner, scores goals, kills penalties,” head coach Darryl Sutter said. “He’s a good player.”

Toffoli has 370 points (182 goals, 188 assists) in 614 career games, all but 100 of those with the Los Angeles Kings, who selected him in the second round of the 2010 draft.

Eichel to debut with Golden Knights

Vegas landed Eichel and a 2023 third-round draft pick in exchange for forwards Alex Tuch and Peyton Krebs, a top-10 protected 2022 first-rounder and a 2023 second-rounder.

Eichel then underwent the surgery in early November, the first NHL player ever to undergo an artificial disk replacement. He returned to practice Jan. 11 and will play his first game of the season roughly three months after his procedure, ahead of an estimated timeline coach Peter DeBoer had given last month.

“It’s been a long wait but well worth it and we’re excited to bring Jack back on Wednesday night,” McCrimmon said Monday.

Eichel, 25, has totaled 355 points (139 goals, 216 assists) in 375 career games spanning six seasons in Buffalo. The center only played in 21 games in 2020-21 due to his injury.

“I’m sure there will be a lot of emotions Wednesday, I’m already starting to feel them,” said Eichel via ESPN. “I’m just trying to be realistic with myself and my expectations. I haven’t played in 11 months and no preseason games, and I’m jumping in against the best team in the league right now.”

“I have a lot to prove. To myself. To the rest of the league. To the organization.”

Also Monday, the Golden Knights moved captain Mark Stone to long-term injured reserve. The forward has been coping with a back injury while tallying 28 points (eight goals, 20 assists) in 28 games.

Evander Kane returns to San Jose

After being put on unconditional waivers by the Sharks on Jan. 8 for the purpose of having his contract terminated, Kane agreed to a one-year contract with the Oilers on Jan. 27. The 30-year-old forward was named San Jose’s team MVP in the 56-game 2020-21 season, when he led the Sharks with 22 goals and 27 assists.

“There wasn’t one incident or a certain thing that happened,” Sharks coach Bob Boughner said. “I think it was just a combination of a lot of things.”

Kane was asked if there was anything special about facing his old team.

“Not really,” Kane said. “Just a great opportunity to get two points. We play them more than once the rest of the season. It’ll be fun to be part of those games.”

NHL Rumors

Canucks said to be interested in Vitali Kravtsov, plus could the Rangers pursue Devils’ Pavel Zacha? Read more.

For the New York Rangers, there’s plenty of options that will fit the bill come the Trade Deadline on March 21. At forward you have San Jose’s Tomas Hertl and Vegas’ Reilly Smith. On defense, Seattle’s Mark Giordano would make a great fit.

However, limiting yourself to just the rental market is shortsighted. Especially for the Blueshirts whose window to win the Cup is just beginning to open.

Rangers trade target Jakob Chychrun

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun is one of the hottest names on the NHL’s trade market.

Chychrun, 23, has just 7 points in 26 games but the Yotes’ this season and is dealing with an injury. Last year was a breakout for him with 41 points in 56 games. The left-handed rearguard has three years left on a cap friendly deal of $4.6 million.

On a recent Sportsnet’s 32 Thoughts segment, Jeff Marek provided an update on the situation. Which includes the fact that at least 10 teams have made offers.

“A couple of offers have given the Coyotes cause for pause,” Marek said. “Here’s what they are looking for in exchange. It’s not unlike the old Brent Burns deal, which was Devin Setoguchi, Charlie Coyle, and a first round pick. So what the Coyotes are looking for is a young player, a high-end prospect, plus a first round pick.”

Marek also added the Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and Anaheim Ducks have the prospects and desire to make that deal.

Chris Drury has a contender on his hands but cap constraints will make it difficult to keep key free agents and RFAs. They are overloaded with young players and prospects and would love someone like Chychrun to pair with Jacob Trouba. Rumblings indicate the Blueshirts are likely one of those 10 teams.

The package would be significant, but the Rangers could do it since they are overloaded with young players and prospects.

What if a deal that centered around K’Andre Miller, whom Chychrun would replace, along with Filip Chytil, and a first round pick sound? That would not address the team’s third pair issues, unless Arizona would consider Zac Jones or even Nils Lundkvist over Miller.

Miller has the size, speed, and talent to be a top-four defenseman. But for where the Rangers are right now, Chychrun paired with Trouba would be a 1A-1B pairing to Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren. It’s fits the ready to win now mode.

Plus, from a cap standpoint it makes even more sense over the next few seasons. Miller’s ELC will expire in 2023.

Tyler Toffoli would be perfect

“Chris Drury has been looking for a forward to play top 9 or top six for weeks, if not months,” Darren Dreger said on TSN OverDrive. “Nothing is happening. That may speak to the parity, and we are a long way from who is a playoff team and who isn’t.”

We know that there are some solid options on the rental market for a forward. However, there is a player with some term on his deal that makes sense to me. I’m not the only one who sees it.

“One could make this case that they could try to get another top-six winger,” Weekes pondered to the NY Post. “Could they want somebody like a Tyler Toffoli maybe, from Montreal?”

Montreal Canadiens forward Tyler Toffoli is very similar to Chris Kreider in how he plays and how he scores. Only difference is he can play right wing.

Toffoli, 29, has a good contract with an AAV of only $4.25M, plus he doesn’t have any trade protection. This would allow the acquiring team flexibility to move him after this season. That is beneficial to the Rangers who will feel a cap crunch next season when Adam Fox’s and Mika Zibanejad’s big extensions kick in.

Toffoli has recorded 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in 26 games this season and would be a great fit with Ryan Strome and Artemi Panarin.

NHL Rumors

Oilers close to landing Kane. Canucks out Halak on the block, and Penguins rebuild? Read more.

Avalanche Need Help

Mikko Rantanen went into the boards hard last night and will be sidelined “for weeks” per the Avalanche with an upper body injury. Goalie, Philipp Grubauer is also out with no timetable to return after a collision to his head. Matt Calvert and Nazem Kadri are also down with injuries. Will Joe Sakic stand idly by? Doubtful as many insiders already anticipate them being aggressive and this week before the deadline.

So now the question is, will the Avs acquiesce to the Rangers high demands for Chris Kreider and Alexandar Georgiev? Or will they go bargain shopping and look to players like Wayne Simmonds from NJ? Going to be a busy time for my buddy Adrian Dater of Colorado Hockey Now.

Boston Looking Past Kreider?

The Bruins were in on NJ’s Blake Coleman. Linked to Tyler Toffoli. And now are rumored to be looking at Kyle Palmieri and Josh Anderson. Sounds to me that the Bruins either can’t afford the price tag for Chris Kreider or don’t think they can land him versus either the Avs or Blues.

Toffoli to Vancouver

Give the Vancouver Canucks credit. Many didn’t consider them players to land Tyler Toffoli, instead looking at cheaper options like Wayne Simmonds to fill their power forward needs. No knock on Simmonds who will help any team in a playoff push, but Toffoli is younger and more productive at this time.

The Kings also did very well in this deal and didn’t have to retain any salary to do so. Toffoli was widely considered the #2 trade target behind Kreider which means this only cements the return on the Rangers power forward landing a #1 pick, a top prospect, and a conditional pick if he were to re-sign with the team that gets him.

Will Kreider Be Moved?

You have to wonder how the latest news that the Rangers and Chris Kreider have started negotiations impacts some teams like Boston and St. Louis? Will they just play it safe and focus their attention on Tyler Toffoli who will cost them significantly less?

“I think I’d be disingenuous to try to embody how someone else went about this situation, so I’m just trying to be myself every day,” Kreider said. “I feel like my name’s been out there for the last seven years. It’s just the nature of the beast.”

CBC

Here’s the important thing for everyone to understand, while the two sides are talking the Rangers have not stopped listening to offers. Ultimately the Rangers are going to have to look at where they are, look at the cap, and realize thar package is going to go a long way to get to Cup contention.

Wild in Minny?

Wild GM, Bill Guerin told reporters after moving Jason Zucker not to assume more trades are coming, but he also didn’t say they wouldn’t. Like I said, lots of teams are dealing with injuries and need a defenseman that isn’t a rental. Carolina being one of those teams with a 1st round pick to spare for Matt Dumba.

Guerin wouldn’t discuss specifics, but, according to industry buzz, the most asked-about player on his roster is Jonas Brodin, followed by Mathew Dumba. (I’d bet there’s a bit for Marcus Foligno, too.) I don’t get the sense he’s inclined to do anything with either, unless it involves an elite centre, or maybe a No. 2 centre, providing that includes something extra — like a couple of first-rounders or something along those lines.

31 Thoughts

Columbus on the hunt

There’s no doubt that Columbus is in the market for a defenseman. I expect them to make a strong push for Martinez from LA immediately. Also note that they lost Cam Atkinson is also sidelined for 3 weeks, so how about Toffoli too?

Add Calgary to teams interested in Alec Martinez

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

Is Kyle Connor Available?

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

Dallas ready to buy

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

TSN’s Latest Trade Bait List

Here is TSN’s Top 20:

Latest Buzz

The Leafs are focused on a top 4 defenseman that can play the left side. They are loaded at forward and have made Kasperi Kapanen (RW) available. Well last night Kapanen was scratched according head coach Sheldon Keefe for “internal accountability” and it was a one time thing. We will see if that is the case, as he’s been attached to rumors for Minnesota’s Matt Dumba.

Montreal is said to be moving Ilya Kovalchuk (#3 on the list) for a 2nd round pick at the deadline. Boston is still interested in landing Chris Kreider (#1) but may not have what it takes to outbid Colorado or St. Louis so they and the Penguins are hard after Tyler Toffoli (#6).

Lastly, Winnipeg is also looking for a top 4 defenseman and may have the cap space to do it once Dustin Byfuglien makes it official he is not returning. That could make the market for defenseman even tougher and thus more costly.

Why Toffoli?

Aside from what I just mentioned, Toffoli could come on the cheap being that he is not utilized by L.A. as he used to be. His ice time is down and he is a UFA at the end of this season, so he is a rental. I can already see you scratching your head while saying, “why would the Rangers trade for a UFA during a rebuild?”

Toffoli is the final year of a contract that has a 4.6M AAV and there hasn’t been too much speculation about his demands. The prevailing thought is he’s looking for a multi year deal around the 7M range. It should also be noted that Toffoli is a full year younger than Kreider.

Here’s the view from 30,000 feet, Toffoli is everyone’s plan B if they can’t work out a deal for Chris Kreider at the deadline. If the Rangers find themselves teetering for a playoff spot and decide to trade Kreider, taking that option for teams off the table increases Kreider’s value. Also if the Rangers want to make the playoffs, a player like Toffoli actually makes them a whole lot deeper and better.

Here’s the best part, if it doesn’t work out the Rangers will then have the top two most sought rentals to trade at the deadline. And one more plus, the Bruins and Penguins who are both contenders in the East will be looking at both of them. This is a win-win for the organization.

Scouting Toffoli

When looking at Toffoli, you will find his numbers are nearly identical to Kreider’s but people still consider CK20 the top trade target with Taylor Hall off to Arizona. Here’s their numbers from Hockey-Reference.

Toffoli is the type of player that would be a solid third line addition with the ability to slot on the 2nd line if needed. He is a guy who likes to play in the corners, and stand in front of the goalie. The best part of Toffoli’s game is he can kill penalties and provide a little more skill on the 2nd PP unit than Brendan Lemieux. If the Rangers can land him, there is nothing but upside.

What a Toffoli deal could look like

The Kings are going into a full rebuild and looking to stock their team with young players. While they would obviously want a 1st rounder, maybe the Rangers can entice them with a former 1st round pick, 7th overall in Lias Andersson. Of course, that’s not going to be enough since not a single one of you would trade Kreider for Andersson. So Jeff Gorton is going to have to maybe throw in another mid to top level prospect. Or, what about Andersson and Alex Georgiev for Toffoli? Gorton is going to have to present the Kings quite a few different flavors before a deal can get done.

Here’s what we know, Gorton is looking for a player like Toffoli and Andersson wants out. Shesterkin isn’t going to wait forever in Hartford. We also know the Rangers are scouting the Kings for a trade. So if something isn’t brewing at the moment, it may be as soon as the holiday trade freeze ends.