Zibanejad, Panarin and Lafreniere considered New York Rangers top tradable assets
We are still very much in the offseason. That is evident by myself and a multitude of other hockey publications as we generate content. Over at The Athletic, Jonas Siegel compiled a list of the 50 most valuable assets in the NHL today.
It is a worthwhile read and no one should be getting bent out of shape over it. Yes the term “Trade value rankings” is used but it’s really more of who are the most valuable players in the league. And the New York Rangers have three.
New York Rangers valuable assets
As a prelude to the list, Jonas broke down how he approached compiling it with Connor McDavid being the #1 asset. A player like Alex Ovechkin was left off because of his age (35) and the fact he only has one year left on his deal.
Value was based on youth, contracts, and ultimately “who would you pay for more in a trade?” Those factors put Mika Zibanejad, Alexis Lafreniere, and Artemi Panarin on his list.
Editor’s Note: Not a single player mentioned is going to be traded, or at least the probability is under 1%.
Mika Zibanejad comes in at 47
Recently, Mika Zibanejad was ranked as the 10th best center in the NHL. It helps to have the highest goals per game average in the league to get you there. His 41 goals in just 57 games played was staggering as were his 75 points.
He’s on the list for all the right reasons, but his contract puts him over the top. Zibanejad is an absolute bargain with two years left and an AAV of $5.35 million. If the Rangers were to trade him, they would get a king’s ransom.
Alexis Lafreniere comes in at 17
This is all based on the projections that Lafreniere is the next NHL superstar. The number one overall pick in the 2020 draft has many using the term “generational talent” often.
Lafreniere is on an ELC, and of all three players on this list is the least likely to be traded. Remember, I put them all at less than 1% so Lafreniere may as well be zero.
If Alexis is all that many experts believe he could be in the same company with names likes McDavid, Auston Matthews, and Nathan MacKinnon in the near future.
Artemi Panarin tops out the Rangers at 13
A finalist for both the Hart Trophy and Lester B. Pearson Award, Artemi Panarin burst on to the season with a 95 point campaign. If not for the Pandemic a 110 point season was well in the cards.
Although a little older at 29, he continues to improve every season and was ranked the top wing in the game today. Rangers fans haven’t seen a free agent signing work out this well in ages.
So if the Rangers did want to trade him, how many first round picks and prospects do you think they could get? Three? Maybe four? Don’t worry, he’s not going anywhere.
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