Blog Archives
Potential Free Agency targets for the New York Rangers
Bobby Bevilacqua
It’s time for the NHL free agent signing period! Often hectic and wild, with trades and signings galore, the Rangers won’t be major players, but there are some good moves that they could make. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
It’s July 1st, which means that Free Agency Frenzy is upon us in the NHL. There will probably be notable and surprising signings around the league, with teams trying to establish themselves as contenders. The Sabres and the Oilers are trying to build a lineup to contend for a playoff berth, while teams like the Canadiens will be working to re-establish themselves as a top team.
The Rangers will not be major players in free-agent signings or blockbuster trades. There isn’t a lot of cap space left to make a move, and there really aren’t any movable contracts that the Rangers would be willing to part with. The main priority will come in re-signing their RFAs.
Derek Stepan, 25, is coming off of a two year deal, $6.15 million deal, and both sides are looking to sign a long-term contract to avoid him becoming an unrestricted free agent at the age of 27. When looking at the rest of the market, Stepan could feasibly fetch $6 million, but honestly, I have a hard time thinking that he should get $6 million. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers Update: Qualifying offers extended to all but Conor Allen
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers extended qualifying offers to eight of their nine RFAs, choosing to let Conor Allen walk and become a free agent. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
With the deadline to qualify restricted free agents ending yesterday, the New York Rangers sent qualifying offers to eight of their nine restricted free agents. The only RFA that didn’t get an offer was 25 year old defenseman Conor Allen. He will become an unrestricted free agent tomorrow, July 1st.
Allen was a free agent signing by the Rangers out of UMass-Amherst in March of 2013. Since then, he has appeared in seven NHL games with, spending most of his time with the Hartford Wolf Pack. In his brief NHL career, he has no points, four shots on goal and a minus two rating. This past season with Hartford, Allen tallied 34 points (11-23-34) in 72 games. He also added a goal and an assist in 12 playoff appearances.
Allen is a solid defenseman, so it’s odd to see him go unqualified, but he has the disadvantage of being a left-side defenseman. On that side, the Rangers have Ryan McDonagh, Marc Staal and Keith Yandle in the NHL, with other left defensive prospects in the organization. Unfortunately, the Rangers don’t really have much of an opportunity for Allen, and are looking elsewhere. Allen is a quality prospect, and I’m sure he will get snatched up soon. Read the rest of this entry
Moving Hagelin hurts, but the Rangers can afford to lose him
Bobby Bevilacqua
With Carl Hegelin out of the picture for next season, the Rangers need to reach to the youth to help fill out the depth spots on the roster. Oscar Lindberg deserves a promotion next season. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
As fans and spectators of the game, it’s often hard to remember that hockey is a business. We grow attached to our favorite players that play hard and represent the Rangers well, only to see them traded away or lost in free agency.
Carl Hagelin was “a great Ranger” as Assistant GM Jeff Gorton said. He was a Rangers draft pick in the sixth round, and impressed as a rookie, with 14 goals and 24 assists in his first 64 NHL games. His lightning speed was fun to watch, and he was an excellent defensive player that added depth to the lineup.
Now I’m not saying that the Rangers’ didn’t lose depth or that they’re a better team after the trade. That remains to be seen. But when looking at what Glen Sather got in return as well as some other factors, the team could afford to make this decision. Read the rest of this entry
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