{"id":139118,"date":"2023-07-03T10:00:04","date_gmt":"2023-07-03T14:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=139118"},"modified":"2023-07-02T22:26:49","modified_gmt":"2023-07-03T02:26:49","slug":"the-impact-of-the-new-york-rangers-free-agency-signings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2023\/07\/03\/the-impact-of-the-new-york-rangers-free-agency-signings\/","title":{"rendered":"The Impact Of The New York Rangers Free Agency Signings"},"content":{"rendered":"

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. <\/span><\/p>\n

Impacts Of The Rangers Free Agency Signings<\/span><\/h2>\n

Who does not love bargain shopping? Chris Drury<\/a> and the Rangers had roughly 11 million dollars to spend entering free agency. Young talents in K’Andre Miller<\/a> and Alexis Lafreniere<\/a> 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. <\/span><\/p>\n

Jonathan Quick<\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n

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

Quick arguably had one of the best playoff performances those years the Los Angeles Kings<\/a> 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. <\/span><\/p>\n

Quick looked like his old self again. He got most of the starts and shared the crease with Calvin Petersen<\/a>. Quick finished the year with a 2.59 goals against average and a .910 save percentage. Furthermore, his 17.8 goals saved above expected<\/a> 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<\/a>. However, his underlying metrics promise what he can bring to the Rangers. <\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/a> (.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. <\/span><\/p>\n

Blake Wheeler<\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n

It appears that Drury is following the same path he did this past trade deadline. After being bought out by the Winnipeg Jets<\/a>, Blake Wheeler<\/a> 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<\/a> will cost way too much to return, and Patrick Kane<\/a> was just a short-term thing. So, what can Wheeler do and bring?<\/span><\/p>\n

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#NYR<\/a> President + GM Chris Drury: \u201cLots to like with Blake Wheeler – his experience, his leadership, his size. He does a lot of everything for a big veteran winger that we think can move up and down our lineup. He\u2019s excited to be here and believes in what we\u2019re doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) July 1, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n