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The Impact Of The New York Rangers Free Agency Signings

The free agency frenzy has come and gone. Aside from the social media malfunction, the day saw plenty of action. As always with the free agency frenzy, there are overpays, bargains, and out-of-left-field signings. This free agency period had it all and more. In particular, one division loaded up heavily. With many contenders maintaining their status, additions came in full force. One team that was not shy with the chequebook was the New York Rangers. Let’s examine the impacts of the Rangers’ free agency signings.

Impacts Of The Rangers Free Agency Signings

Who does not love bargain shopping? Chris Drury and the Rangers had roughly 11 million dollars to spend entering free agency. Young talents in K’Andre Miller and Alexis Lafreniere need new contracts, but the goal was to shore up the rest of the roster. Furthermore, Drury did not break the bank for these additions. The players that have been added all cost under $1 million. However, these players are all aging veterans on the back end of their respective careers. But these guys can make an impact and fulfill their respective roles.

Jonathan Quick

What a full-circle moment. The man that dethroned Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers to win the Stanley Cup is joining the club. New York is set in net with Igor Shesterkin, but with Jaroslav Halak on an expiring contract, finding a backup was in need. Jonathan Quick is now on Broadway.

Quick arguably had one of the best playoff performances those years the Los Angeles Kings won their championships. However, Quick is not the same type of goaltender. Since the 2018-19 season, Quick has been showing inconsistency in his game. Every other year he saw his save percentage drop under .900. Furthermore, his goals-against average stayed under 3.00. Many wondered if Quick was done just a season ago, but he bounced back in the best way.

Quick looked like his old self again. He got most of the starts and shared the crease with Calvin Petersen. Quick finished the year with a 2.59 goals against average and a .910 save percentage. Furthermore, his 17.8 goals saved above expected was the best of the Kings. Fast forward a year, and it was the polar opposite. Quick ended up getting traded out of Los Angeles, and his goals saved above expected took a swan dive (-17.2). His numbers with Los Angeles were not good but improved in his short tenure with the Vegas Golden Knights. However, his underlying metrics promise what he can bring to the Rangers.

Throughout his career, Quick has shown he can be a stable presence. If he can return to his 2021-22 form, this is remarkable. However, Quick does not have to be remarkable. Quick just needs to be able to come in and give the team a chance to win. Shesterkin will garner most of the starts, and Quick will see a small workload. But Quick is an excellent addition. Last season, Quick was sharp in the high-danger area (.730 save percentage). He was also brilliant in the medium-danger area and sported a .958 save percentage in the low-danger areas of the ice. Quick is on the wrong side of 30, but his contract is under $1 million per season and is the perfect backup for the all-star netminder.

Blake Wheeler

It appears that Drury is following the same path he did this past trade deadline. After being bought out by the Winnipeg Jets, Blake Wheeler became a free agent. Drury pounced on the opportunity to bring him in. For one year and under a million dollars, it is a bargain of a deal. Furthermore, the need is there to help fulfill depth for the right-wing position. Vladimir Tarasenko will cost way too much to return, and Patrick Kane was just a short-term thing. So, what can Wheeler do and bring?

First and foremost, it is the intangibles he brings to the club. Wheeler is a former captain and comes with years of experience. Drury had this to add about the veteran, “Lots to like with Blake Wheeler – his experience, leadership, and size. He does a lot of everything for a big veteran winger that we think can move up and down our lineup. He’s excited to be here and believes in what we’re doing.” The Rangers have made the playoffs two years in a row, including a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. Wheeler will be a player the club can count on next season.

Wheeler may not be the same force to be reckoned with that he once was, but he is still not a bad player. He uses his big body to create space for himself and generate offence. Never afraid of being physical and working along the boards, Wheeler does his work that way. In addition, he is a playmaking winger who can find the back of the net. Throughout his career, Wheeler has been an eight-time 20-goal scorer.

However, there are flaws. Wheeler is a guy who can be undisciplined. In addition, his ability to play good defensively is eye-opening. Wheeler did have 45 takeaways and rarely turned the puck over, which is a bonus. It was much like Patrick Kane when they acquired him at the deadline in that regard. Overall though, the money is cheap, and there is an offensive upside. Whether he plays alongside Mika Zibanejad or Vincent Trocheck, success should be imminent.

Erik Gustafsson

The next of the Rangers’ free agency moves involves the blueline. Drury brought in talent at all different positions. With Niko Mikkola signing a new contract with the Florida Panthers, bringing in help on the third pair is needed. Braden Schneider remains the anchor of the pair, but he has a new partner. Free agent Erik Gustafsson has a one-year deal locked in for one season. He split time between the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Depth is crucial, and the Rangers have that on their blue line. Gustafsson is an offensive defenseman with the ability to help out on the power play. This is a player who once hit the 60-point mark with the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2018-19 season. However, since then he has not been the steadiest producer. Gustafsson has not hit ten goals since that career year but has the makings of being a great playmaker. This season he scored seven goals and 42 points.

Gustafsson had the most points among Leafs defensemen. In addition, his 6.5 expected goals were second behind Morgan Rielly. Primarily deployed in the offensive zone, he has a knack for generating chances. Gustafsson has a great way of getting his shot attempts through traffic as well. Bringing in a player such as Gustafsson to help transition and push the play toward the Rangers’ playmakers is a huge addition. Even the seventh ranked power play got a boost on the second unit. Young blueliner Zachary Jones could get a look at the role and it will be something to monitor as the summer goes on.

Many Minor Moves

These salary cap hits count if these players make the roster. But the Rangers’ free agency moves also came in minor spurts. Drury brought in-depth forwards Riley Nash, Nick Bonino, and Alex Belzile. A few other minor deals were made, but these are low-risk contracts with high reward potential. These guys can hit training camp and fight for a spot on the fourth line. Given the salary cap, these are minor moves to fill the depth on the roster. While needing the space to use effectively elsewhere, this is smooth work by Drury, bringing in effective depth.

The Overall Outlook

The Rangers’ free agency moves were not meant to be the biggest splashes. However, they are moves to help fill specific roles. These players are complimentary pieces to what is being built on Broadway. The biggest heap of criticism is that the team got older and slower. However, these players could all impress and make an impact. Cost efficient effective depth was the goal in mind.

Now the attention turns to Miller and Lafreniere.

Main Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Tommy Bennett

Tommy Bennett

Tommy Bennett has been a hockey fan his entire life. He grew up in New Jersey watching the New Jersey Devils with his father, while also being a Boston Bruins fan. Now he shares his love of the game through writing. Follow along on twitter @TJBennettt37.

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