The New York Rangers were expected to
pursue one of the big-ticket players in next summer’s UFA market.
However, the recent signings of Edmonton’s Connor
McDavid, Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov, Vegas’ Jack Eichel and
Winnipeg’s Kyle Connor could change their approach.
Peter Baugh of The Athletic wondered
which players the Rangers could target now. He pointed out that they
face a difficult decision with Artemi Panarin. The 33-year-old left
winger is now the biggest name remaining in the UFA market.
Baugh noted that the Rangers have no
obvious choice to replace Panarin’s production if they let him go to
market next July. However, signing a player who turns 34 later this
month to an expensive new contract comes with risk, especially when
core forwards J.T. Miller, Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck are
32 years old.
The Rangers could have several options.
Baugh suggested they consider pursuing a younger UFA forward, such as
Adrian Kempe of the Los Angeles Kings, Alex Tuch of the Buffalo
Sabres or Martin Necas of the Colorado Avalanche. They’re not
elite-level stars, but one of them could help to boost the Rangers’
offense.
Turning to the trade market is another
possibility. Baugh mentioned Jason Robertson as an option, depending
on how his contract negotiations with the Dallas Stars progress. The
26-year-old left winger is due to become an RFA with
arbitration rights this summer. The Stars could peddle him next
summer if they’re unable to re-sign him.
Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights
could be in the market to replace Alex Pietrangelo. The veteran
defenseman is sidelined for the season and the playoffs, recovering
from a nagging hip injury.
Case Keefer of the Las Vegas Sun
suggested Rasmus Andersson as a trade target. The 28-year-old Calgary
Flames defenseman is UFA-eligible next July and the frequent subject
of trade conjecture since the spring.
The Flames could attempt to move
Andersson before the March 6 trade deadline. Keefer noted that the
Golden Knights are rumored to be his preferred trade destination.
Keefer pointed out that Mitch Marner
was linked to the Golden Knights last season before eventually
landing in Vegas. He said it’ll be financially trickier for the
Golden Knights to acquire Andersson but didn’t dismiss the
possibility.
Vegas is pressed for cap room after
placing Pietrangelo on LTIR. They’ll have to shed salary if they hope
to acquire the remainder of Andersson’s cap hit by the trade
deadline.
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