Rangers entering seller’s market? — The Fourth Period
The New York Rangers find themselves in 14th place in the Eastern Conference with a 20-20-6 record and six points out of a playoff spot.
After getting shelled 10-2 to the Boston Bruins on Saturday, frustration has started to boil over in Manhattan.
“I don’t have words,” head coach Mike Sullivan told reporters after the game.
As players talk about putting the game behind them and concentrating on tomorrow, management may be focusing on roster changes.
Rangers GM Chris Drury has been exploring the market for a top-tier star to add to the club, as TFP’s David Pagnotta first reported last month. The Rangers were engaged in Quinn Hughes trade talks before the Vancouver Canucks dealt him to the Minnesota Wild, and Drury has been looking to make an impact addition up front, as well.
Earlier in the week, it had been reported that the Rangers expressed interest in Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood. Now, however, Vincent Mercogliano of The Athletic reports the team should “sell, sell, sell.”
“Whatever happens in the 11 remaining games before the Olympic break is largely irrelevant,” Mercogliano wrote. “Allowing such a small sample to cloud team president Chris Drury’s judgment would be shortsighted and irresponsible. We’ve seen enough evidence in the last year and a half to know that the team he’s assembled doesn’t have it.”
Star forward Artemi Panarin is in the final year of his contract and if the Rangers feel they are unable to sign him to a new contract that fits their direction, Drury is likely to make him available for trade leading up to the March 6 trade deadline.
Panarin, who currently ranks No.14 on TFP’s Trade Watch List, has a salary cap hit worth just over $11.642 million and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.
He also owns a full no-movement clause and would have to sign off on any trade the Rangers attempt to complete.
If he becomes available, several Stanley Cup contenders will surely come calling. Due to his large cap hit, though, some teams may ask the Rangers to retain a significant chunk of his contract to help facilitate a trade — the Rangers have all three of their retention slots available.
Forwards Jonny Brodzinski and Conor Sheary, defenceman Carson Soucy, and goaltender Jonathan Quick are also set to become UFAs this summer, while blueliners Braden Schneider and Scott Morrow can become restricted free agents.
