It is officially the offseason for the New York Rangers. After a disappointing first-round exit to the New Jersey Devils, the team has already undergone changes. Gerard Gallant has been dismissed and the club will need a new boss. In addition, the club will turn it’s attention to it’s free agents. There are key New York Rangers free agents. What’s the verdict on those players and will they stay or will they go?
Key New York Rangers Free Agents
Chris Drury has some work to do. The team is in cap crunch and will need to tweak things in order to keep guys around. Wealth can only be spread so far. Given the state of their salary cap and key free agents, who stays and who goes?
Vladimir Tarasenko
"I like everything. I cannot say a single bad word about my time. I enjoyed everything."
Vladimir Tarasenko, who calls the Rangers "one of the top organizations in the league, if not the best," on his time in New York: pic.twitter.com/gsaiv02FrO
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) May 3, 2023
The first move of the trade deadline was acquiring Vladimir Tarasenko. A winger with goal scoring touch was perfect to complement the rest of the lineup. He was solid for the club overall, ready to embrace the Big Apple. Tarasenko went on to score eight goals, 13 assists, and 21 points in 31 games. In addition, he was lighting the lamp in the playoffs. Tarasenko would score the opening goals in Game One and Two, and finish second on the team in goals (3).
Tarasenko finished 10th in Corsi For, 7th in xGoals, and was tied for fifth with goals at 5v5. The cap is tricky and he has expressed his desire to want to stay. The latest buzz could see the club ship a player out to create space. If so, maybe they bring Tarasenko back.
Verdict: Stays
Patrick Kane
"I would love to be back. If I can feel better, with this team and this opportunity, I'd love that chance."
Patrick Kane on potentially returning to the Rangers next season: pic.twitter.com/n8bbhjRAA7
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) May 3, 2023
After being disappointed about acquiring the player above, Kane got his wish. Drury pulled off the unimaginable and landed Patrick Kane. Kane was good for the Rangers, however, the injury was labouring him.
Kane was nearly a point per game in the playoffs. He scored a magnificent goal and had five assists. Like Tarasenko, Kane would have a strong showing in the Big Apple. He was able to pot five goals, seven assists, and 12 points in 19 games. However, he only managed three goals at 5v5, looked bad defensively at times, and finished with the lowest xGoals for. This may have been a pipeline dream for him, but his stay is short-lived.
Verdict: Walks
K’Andre Miller
The biggest key free agent of them all, is K’Andre Miller. He has emerged as a stellar defenseman for the Rangers and is due for a new contract. Miller has shown flashes of brilliance with his smooth skating and puck handling. Other than Adam Fox, he is the next best threat offensively. Miller finished second behind Fox in points (43), but was a factor in other areas. In addition, Miller saw time on both the power play and penalty kill (5 total assists).
Miller finished the year with the third-best Corsi For among defensemen. His ability to create chances and generate offence was noticeable as well (63.14 xGoals for). In addition, his 42 high-danger goals were first among defensemen. He is a foundational type of player on the back end and those don’t grow on trees.
Verdict: Stays
Alexis Lafreniere
This is the trickiest of all the New York Rangers key free agents. Lafreniere was the prized lottery pick in 2020. Fast forward three seasons and he’s entering an RFA year. However, there have been rumblings of a potential move to create cap space. One of those players is Kaapo Kakko, whereas the other is Lafreniere. It really is a puzzling dilemma wanting to part ways with a young promising talent. But like Kakko, the production has not matched his draft status. Lafreniere did have a career season, showing there is promise in his game. Last year was a career high in goals, but this season was points (39). A bridge deal is the most likely scenario as it was with Kakko. It will be something to monitor as the summer goes on.
Verdict: Traded
Jaroslav Halak
Age is not on his side, but Halak did his job to provide relief for Igor Shesterkin. After a shaky start in the beginning of the season, Halak turned a corner and played better. He finished the season with a 2.72 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage. Halak performed as expected finishing the year with 1.1 goals saved above expected. The Rangers don’t need an elite backup or a 1B for that matter, but a goalie who can provide relief and not let Shesterkin run out of gas. If Halak wants to keep playing, he could return for cheaper than his $1.5 million dollar cap.
Verdict: Stays
Niko Mikkola
No slight to Mikkola, he was essentially a throw-in during the Tarasenko trade. He has a big frame and plays physical (151 hits). Mikkola is no offensive threat (4 points). In addition, he finished with one of the lowest xGoals for and finished with the sixth-best possession numbers. Typically a player who got caved in from time to time, and playing on the third pair. There are other guys in the organization ready to make the leap that can fill the same role.
Verdict: Walks
Tyler Motte
A key New York Rangers free agent is a familiar face. Tyler Motte was acquired at the trade deadline for some depth. A physical presence that plays with an edge. Primarily playing on the fourth line, Motte finished with ten points in 24 games. He is a player Drury loves. You’ll see the same trend this summer with not enough money to go around, he will play in a new sweater.
Verdict: Walks
Main Photo: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
