Trade Deadline Moves

Usually around February, your team is gonna realize they’re either buyers or sellers. At this point there’s no secret that the New York Rangers are buyers, as they often are. The way I see it, the Rangers need to make one of three moves in order to return to the postseason and contend for a Cup.

1. First and foremost, the team absolutely needs a faceoff specialist.

Let’s be honest, the Rangers' faceoff percentage is lackluster at best. Their best two guys in Brassard and Moore aren't really getting it done. It’s seems to be every play the Rangers are chasing their own tail unable to win a draw….in either zone. They don’t need a first line guy, nor a second line guy, but a nice third line faceoff specialist who’s good on defense too. All signs seem to be pointing to Antoine Vermette. The 32 year old Canadian is set to become a UFA at the end of the year and could fit right into the Rangers system. He’s had a middle of the road year netting 12 goals and 22 assists. However, he’s a minus minus 16 and isn’t the best defensive choice if we’re being honest. Second and in my opinion the better choice, is Mike Santorelli. The 29 year old Canadian has been a name thrown around all year for the Leafs. He’s a UFA at the end of the year and at a cap hit of 1.5, you won’t need to move much money to get him on the team. He’s netted 11 goals and 18 assists, but the more impressive stat is he’s a plus 7 on a team that’s…well, let’s be honest, not so sound defensively. The name of Martin Hanzal has been thrown around, but I don’t see it happening. 3.5 million is too big of a cap hit and the contract isn’t up at the end of the year. I’d love to have the 6’6, 27 year old defensemen on the team, but it’s not realistic, I’d go Santorelli.

 2. The Rangers need a 4th line tough guy, just like last year.

Tanner Glass, well let me be kind here, stunk it up this year. I liked him at the beginning of the year, but that honeymoon stage is over. He’s done nothing, literally nothing. 39 games played with 1 assists (secondary) and is a minus 17. The Rangers have proven that they have the ability to find 4th line talent in guys like Carcillo and Dorsett, but Glass was a dud. Tough guys now have to be young. The big vet enforcer role is gone and are dying out with Colton Orr and George Parros hanging them up this year. I’d like to see the Rangers go after someone, anyone. A later round draft pick should get a guy like Danny Carcillo fetched. These guys are always up for grabs, so there’s not one really in particular we’d like to see the Rangers go after. I have heard Chris Neil’s name being thrown around, and I’d like that to never, ever happen. He’s a Tanner Glass 2.0. I won’t even entertain that option and neither should the Rangers.

3. Lastly, and least importantly, is the back up’s back up in net. 

No one knows when Lundqvist will be back; hopefully within a month or so he can return, but there's no certainty with this rare injury. It’s tough to really judge at this point, let’s go with what we have and that’s Cam Talbot. Now Skapski is 20 years old and not anywhere near NHL ready. So, that being said Cam will need a rest a some point. The Rangers can once again burn a later round pick for a veteran back up. Nabakov would have been my first choice because you don’t mind that contract nor putting him on waivers when Hank’s back, but he’s since hung them up. Second choice would have to be Ilya Bryzgalov. The Ducks back up goalie comes cheap, really cheap. The only issue is that Fredrick Anderson is now hurt and they’re in the same spot as the Rangers. John Gibson now is the starter in net, but now Ilya is gonna see a bigger role as the back up. Longshots are Harding of Chicago, who’d I’d imagine would come with a higher price tag. Not going to rule out Viktor Fasth on the Oilers as well as an experienced guy to come in and help.