This week's off season marks the start of trade deadline season, with just under six weeks until the March 8 deadline. The Rangers have fallen into mediocrity over the past two months, posting a 12-12-2 record in their past 26 games after a tough start of 18-4-1, and GM Chris Drury has There was already enough urgency to improve. His roster, especially the forwards.
Then Friday came. Filip Szitil, on the ice for the second time in nearly two months due to a concussion, spilled a drink during the morning three-man skate and had to be helped to the Garden locker room. The much-anticipated announcement was made on Sunday that City would be shut down for the remainder of the 2023-24 season, including the postseason, a scary development for the 24-year-old.
As such, Drury must move forward with his goal of finding a center, which is probably an even bigger priority than finding a top-nine right forward for the third consecutive deadline. Frank Vatrano and Andrew Copp will be big hits in 2021-22. Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane were mixed reviews last year.
The Rangers will take Sytil's $4.44 million cap hit from long-term injured reserve, which is the only silver lining in this whole situation. It would certainly increase Drury's options and perhaps even be at the point where he could get two forwards in case they all break out.
Last month's very early list had some of the same names, but now there are a few more to watch.
Center
Adam Enrique, Ducks: He makes the most sense as a very capable No. 3 center who can still produce, as he did with two goals against the Rangers in Anaheim last weekend. He won't make the Rangers obviously faster, but he plays an all-around game and wouldn't look out of place between Will Quill and Kaapo Kakko, giving the Rangers a threatening third line. Dew. The Ducks appear willing to acquire a portion of his $5.825 billion cap hit, meaning there could be a deep pool of buyers. He's not worth a first-round pick, but it might be worth giving up a second-round pick to make this happen.
Elias Lindholm, Flame: If Drury is going to do that, and as one Eastern Conference executive pointed out earlier this week, “With the East so open, why wouldn't they go all in?” — Lindholm may be worth acquiring even at a high price. The pending UFA is well outside the range of the Rangers' contract, and given that other teams may want to sign him after trading Lindholm, this is technically a rental and not a big deal. It will be. A first-round pick is certainly part of Calgary's desires, but Lindholm would give the Rangers some dangerous midfield depth.
Jack Roslovic, Blue Jackets: The 27-year-old plays center and right wing, and has the scoring ability to fit his profile as a decent third-line player, making him attractive enough for Rangers. He's also a pending UFA, but he might not make much money beyond this season and definitely won't cost more than a second-rounder at this point.
Sean Monaghan, Canadian: Enrique is the ideal person to fit into the mold, but people briefed on the situation have been saying for weeks that Elliott Friedman's report on Saturday night was “the former Rangers GM and current Montreal best.” There is no love lost between executives Jeff Gorton and Drury.” There's also the matter of Gorton hiring two longtime Rangers employees that Drury fired, scouting director Nick Bobroff and medical trainer Jim Ramsey. For a while, Montreal's front office didn't even think there was a chance Drury would contact Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes, according to a person who speaks regularly with the Canadiens. Perhaps things will change, but there are signs that both sides are looking in different directions.
Alexander Wennberg, Kraken: Another pending UFA could help the Rangers, although he won't bring as much of a balanced game as Enrique. The cost may not be that high, but Seattle doesn't seem convinced it's a sell just yet.
Yanni Gould, Kraken: This will require some creativity, considering Gould has another season with a $5.16 million cap hit. So the Rangers will need to send a contract another way — take note of those calling for Barclay Goodrow to go — plus a number of assets to make this happen. You may need to send it. It's a stretch, but Gould has the right mix to be a solid 3C for the Rangers.
Kevin Hayes, Bruce: Welcome back, old friend? Hayes was popular as a Ranger and once again had five picks left at the deadline after being dealt a first-round pick by the Jets. The main issue here is that the Blues are trying to make the playoffs and Hayes has two years left on his $3.57 million cap hit. If the Blues can keep up the payroll, it could work out and give the Rangers a very capable third or fourth center for a while.
Morgan Frost, flyer: Frost, the No. 27 pick in the 2017 draft, is talented but isn't a big fan of Flyers coach John Tortorella, so he's a slightly different option here. Even if Sitil is able to return in the future, Rangers will need to rejuvenate their midfield at some point. Sure, Frost will sacrifice his initial cost, but he will be able to control costs beyond this year and into the next two years.
wingers
Vladimir Tarasenko, Senator: Ottawa would need to retain Tarasenko's $5 million cap hit salary to pull this off, especially alongside another move for the center, but a reunion makes some sense. Tarasenko was a solid addition to Mika Zibanejad's wing last season and will be motivated to earn a longer-term contract with a decent showing in the spring and playoffs. Tarasenko could once again be the answer to the right wing woes, unless there's another trade for a right winger to come in behind him this time around.
Jordan Eberle, Kraken: Perhaps Drury could fill both key forward spots in one deal by adding Eberle, who is still a solid top-six running back, to one of the centers mentioned above. Among the pending UFA forwards, the Rangers could do much worse than Eberle, who not too long ago had some big playoff runs with the Islanders.
Anthony Duclair shark: Ignore the scary metrics. Everything San Jose has done this season, data-wise, is colored deep red on every chart. Duclair still has game-breaking speed and a more rounded game from when he was a teenager competing for ice time as a Ranger. It doesn't cost much either.
Alexander Balabanov (Sharks): He's a third liner with a lot of athleticism, something the Rangers don't have. There is also a bit of a sense of scoring. He's going to be pushed to the deadline and end up being one of the guys that makes a difference somewhere.
Jason Zucker, Coyotes: With Arizona still in the mixout West for the playoffs, this could finally be the year the Coyotes don't sell anything they don't have. On the other hand…Zucker is still productive and likes to get his nose dirty, which are some traits the Rangers could take advantage of.
Frank Vatrano, Ducks: He's headed to the All-Star Game, but the Ducks don't have a ton of talent, so moving him seems like a long shot. But he worked well with Chris Kreider and Zibanejad two years ago, so he deserves at least a call from Drury.
Brock McGinn, Ducks: A guy who scored big goals in Carolina and Pittsburgh, but hasn't done anything in Anaheim. He has one year and $2.75 million left, so this would be one of the cheapest additions the Rangers would make from an asset standpoint, but he's probably not a player he wants to commit to for another season. Maybe not.
Patrick Kane, Red Wings: just kidding.
(Photo of Frank Vatrano (77) and Adam Enrique (14): Andrew Morzynski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
