Just because the New York Rangers aren’t in the Stanley Cup Playoffs doesn’t mean they’re not paying close attention to what’s going on in the postseason. In fact, you can bet they’re scouting potential free agents, planning how to revamp their roster for next season.
PuckPedia projects the Rangers to have just under $10 million in salary cap space this summer. Since the Rangers have several restricted free agents of their own to re-sign — notably K’Andre Miller and Will Cuylle are due healthy raises — general manager Chris Drury may have to trade some contracts away first.
The Rangers likely need a left-shot defenseman to play in the top four, perhaps even on the top pair with Adam Fox, depending on the plan for Miller. But they’ll have an interest in changing up the look among their forwards next season, and there are various options to consider and scout during these playoffs.
Related: Why Rangers GM Chris Drury deserves much blame for doomed season
Unrealistic free-agent forward options for Rangers
Mitch Marner – Toronto Maple Leafs
The prize of NHL free agency this offseason knows his future is very much up in the air with his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs. With limited success (just one playoff round victory prior to this postseason) from their talented core, a shake-up could be in order, including the decision to not re-sign Marner. They have more cap room than the Rangers, so it’d be somewhat surprising if Marner’s not back in Toronto.
The soon to be 28-year-old, coming off a 102-point season, won’t come cheap but would fill a need at right wing for the Rangers, and give them a crazy 1-2 punch on the right side along with Artemi Panarin. This would require several moves to free up a lot of space but would be a statement move for the organization. Plus it would give the Rangers an in-house replacement for Panarin, who has one year left on his massive contract.
Not likely but fun to dream.
John Tavares – Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto’s former captain handled the transfer of power to Auston Matthews in classy fashion, and then finished this season with 37 goals and 74 points in 75 games. The 34-year-old could still cash in while filling a void down the middle for whoever signs him. But Tavares has stated his desire to reaming with the Maple Leafs, and probably would give them a hometown discount to stay.
Tavares would be a needed veteran leader and solid player still for the Rangers, but do his ties to the Islanders add more insult to injury for the Blueshirts? Speed has never been his game, especially at this stage of his career, so this likely isn’t a price worth paying anyway. The Rangers need more speed and youth, not less.
Jamie Benn – Dallas Stars
The longtime Dallas Stars captain shares many similarities with Tavares. While his most productive offensive days are in the past, his leadership is something that Dallas is very keen to hold on to. Stars GM Jim Nill on NHL Network Radio before the trade deadline alluded to how they are committed to keeping Benn in Dallas for the rest of his career if he so wishes.
Seeing how they may give him the best chance to win, it’s likely he takes the safe path going on 36 years old next season. But if he did ever want a change of scenery, his leadership and grit would be something the Rangers would likely covet on a short-term deal.
Related: Rangers free-agent K’Andre Miller ‘wouldn’t want to play anywhere else right now’
More realistic but unlikely free-agent forward options for Rangers
Sam Bennett – Florida Panthers
Bennett will be, perhaps, the most coveted free agent available this offseason. His middle-six versatility and ruthless attack is exactly what separated the Panthers from everyone else the last two postseasons. Once he came back against the Boston Bruins mid-series last year, Bennett actually knocked Brad Marchand out for the following game and rendered him useless the rest of the series. Playing sort of Robin to Matthew Tkachuk’s Batman role, Florida’s culture is something teams try to replicate but have a hard time doing.
The Rangers could — and probably should — view the 28-year-old center as priority No. 1, but so will a majority of teams in the League. This will drive his price up and perhaps out of the Rangers’ range with their own players to re-sign.
Brad Marchand – Florida Panthers
The longtime Bruins leader and agitator took his talents to the Panthers as the clock wound down on the March 7 trade deadline. This was reported to be the only place he would accept a move to, and could be viewed as a replacement in grit and skill if Bennett is to walk in free agency this summer.
Like Benn, he generally plays left wing which could be viewed as a strength on the Rangers. But he’s another player that could come in like Benn and change a bit of the culture and still contribute on the score sheet. Marchand will be 37 years old next season, less than ideal, and he dipped to 23 goals this season.
Claude Giroux – Ottawa Senators
Giroux is 37 and scored only 15 goals this season, so he’s not necessarily a great fit, especially if he wants to remain with his hometown Ottawa Senators. Giroux could be entertained for his leadership, versatility to play center or right wing, and win face-offs, along with the desire to finally win. The Rangers could do worse than Giroux on their third line. Like many of these option, it’s all pending the price tag.
Most realistic free-agent forward options for Rangers
Christian Dvorak – Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens had some magic down the stretch, much of which came from the young first line contributing when they needed it most to pass the Rangers and hold them off to earn the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. But Dvorak was among the unsung heroes for Montreal this season. The 29-year-old often finds himself on the ice against the opponents’ best line, trusted to be a shutdown center who closes out periods and games.
With Kirby Dach coming back next season following knee surgery, Montreal is set up nicely for now and the future with the likes of Nick Suzuki, Alex Newhook, Jake Evans, and Dach down the middle. Dvorak could be expendable and be an affordable third-line option for teams like the Rangers. Coming over from the Arizona Coyotes, Dvorak hasn’t done much winning in his career but his growth in playing a 200-foot game could be enticing for the Rangers.
Trent Frederic – Edmonton Oilers
Acquired from the Bruins even though he was injured ahead of the trade deadline, Frederic is getting healthy, and is worth a long look by the Rangers. The gritty forward plays a style the Rangers need more of, even if his production was way down during this injury-plagued season (eight goals, 15 points in 58 games).
Frederic is everything the Rangers were missing this season when it comes to playing with bite and passion. He also has experience playing up the middle and could be a long term third center option at only 27 years of age, right in his prime. He’ll drop the gloves to help Matt Rempe in that department, and did score 18 and 17 goals the previous two seasons.
Yanni Gourde – Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning gave up a lot to reacquire Gourde, though they are only paying him $1.29 million against the cap this season. He’s going to need more than that to stay with them next season and may become a cap casualty. If so, many teams will call and experience a culture change with it.
Even at 33 and coming off a nice long-term deal, Gourde’s motor still runs at 100 percent all the time. His no-nonsense style of hockey was something the Rangers sorely missed this season. His two Stanley Cup rings don’t hurt either. However, like many players on these lists, age works against him. The Rangers are trying to get younger, not older.
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