Major Development : New York Rangers shockingly linked to three unrestricted free agent centers
The New York Rangers who are preparing for the NHL draft have also been linked to three unrestricted free agent centres as July 1st is on the horizon.
The team is currently evaluating and preparing for major changes and the centre position is one of those areas that needs improvement especially on their third line.
Rangers ready to shop for a new center
Several centres have been linked to the team including Dallas Stars pending unrestricted free agent Mikael Granlund.
He was playing very well again for them this season, scoring 15 goals and 45 points in 52 games before he was traded to the Dallas Stars. He scored seven goals and 21 points in 31 regular-season games and five goals and 10 points in 18 playoff games. There were rumors the Stars wanted to try and sign him to an extension, but with their lack of cap space, it seems likely that Granlund is going to test the market. - Lucas Standel
Adding his experience and his ability to score would certainly help the Rangers when it comes to their offence and power play and could come in at a reasonable cost as the Rangers are continuing to clear cap space to improve the roster.
John Tavares on the Toronto Maple Leafs is another name linked to the Rangers.
He had made it clear for several weeks since the Maple Leafs were knocked out of the second round by the Florida Panthers that he wanted to remain with the blue and white.
He had made it clear for several weeks since the Maple Leafs were knocked out of the second round by the Florida Panthers that he wanted to remain with the blue and white.
Contract talks, however, have been bogged down over the past number of days as his 38 goals and the lack of centres in the unrestricted free agency market may push him out of the range of the Maple Leafs who may not be willing to pay more than they want.
He had a great season offensively, scoring 38 goals and 74 points in 75 games played, and while that production did drop to just five goals and seven points in 13 playoff games, Tavares has shown that he is still a very productive player even at age 34. He is still a valuable player to any team he is on, and if he can't agree with the Maple Leafs before free agency opens, all 31 other teams are likely going to be interested in acquiring his services. - Lucas Standel
Adam Gaudette on Rangers radar
Ottawa Senators Adam Gaudette has been linked to the Rangers for the past several weeks as he would be considered a lower cost option but still a reliable choice to help bolster that third line.
Gaudette brings speed, skill, and size, which is what you want in a player who is going to be in your bottom-six. While he has bounced around the league over the years, he solidified himself this season and proved that he can be an everyday player in the NHL, and now, teams are going to be interested in him, and he could look to cash in. He's not going to break the bank, and he seems like a low-risk, high-reward kind of signing. The Rangers could take a chance on him, and if it doesn't work out, they could always trade him or put him on waivers. Gaudette will be an interesting name to watch if he hits the open market because it will be interesting to see what kind of contract he gets after the season he just had. - Lucas Standel
It remains to be seen on how general manager Chris Drury will attempt to sign one of these players but it's certain that he will attempt to do something as the team needs help up the middle.
Source: The Hockey Writers
3 Centers the Rangers Could Target in Free Agency
3 Centers the Rangers Could Target in Free Agency
| POLL | ||
JUIN 27 | 681 ANSWERS Major Development : New York Rangers shockingly linked to three unrestricted free agent centers Which center would you like to bring to the Rangers as a UFA this summer? | ||
| John Tavares | 152 | 22.3 % |
| Mikael Granlund | 361 | 53 % |
| Adam Gaudette | 168 | 24.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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