It's been just over three weeks since the New York Rangers season has come to an end, and while not much has happened, pieces are beginning to fall into place, giving us a more clear idea of what Chris Drury's offseason plans could be. This article is going to act as a recap of news that has already broke over the last three weeks and what it could mean for the Rangers in the coming weeks regarding free agency planning as well as potential draft day trades. Seeing as the Rangers don't have many picks in this years entry draft, Chris Drury could use the day to focus on making moves, especially if he has interest in getting a little more involved said draft.
In my last article, I wrote about what the Rangers plans could or should be regarding their pending free agents, both restricted and unrestricted. Since then, some terms have been agreed to and other rumors have been circulating about what's next for some of these players. As we already discussed, Sammy Blais was the first pending free agent to put pen to paper on a new contract, giving him another chance to prove himself in a Rangers sweater. Considering he didn't get much of that in his first year with the team after being acquired along with a pick for Pavel Buchnevich, this was a smart, safe first move for Drury to make this summer.
His next and only other official move as of right now, was extending Julien Gauthier on a one year deal at $800,000. News of this extension was a bit underwhelming as just a few days beforehand, word came out that Julien had allegedly requested a trade out of the Rangers organization. Since being acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Joey Keane back in 2020, Gauthier's career hasn't really made any significant progress. In 91 games with the Rangers, he has only found the back of the net five times with a career tally of 18 points. Not the best outlook for a player who lit it up pretty consistently both in juniors and his time spent in the AHL.
At 24 going on 25, it would be unfair to assume that Julien Gauthier has shown us all that he is capable of in the National Hockey League. However, he is approaching that "make or break" point of his career and given what he's done so far, it unfortunately isn't enough. You can't blame him for requesting a trade as it's pretty clear that even under two different coaches, he hasn't been able to find his footing in New York. While he may not have always been put in the best positions to be successful, you can't say he hasn't gotten a fair enough chance. While the shortened seasons didn't do him any favors, you have to think 91 games is more than enough to show something and 18 points ain't it. Given the surplus of prospects, the other acquisitions and overall direction of where the Rangers are going, it's in Gauthier's best interest to try and find an opportunity to prove himself as an NHL player somewhere else.
You may have asked yourself why would the Rangers give him a contract extension if he requested a trade? Well, for starters, $800,000 isn't a make or break amount of money so it's not like it's causing any salary cap issues. Secondly, getting him under contract likely makes it easier to negotiate a potential trade with an interested team. With the draft and start of free agency right around the corner, it makes sense to ensure that all the formalities are taken care of so the Rangers can get to work with negotiations. Speaking of trades, Julien Gauthier wasn't the only member of the New York Rangers to reportedly request a change of scenery..
It's no secret that Alexandar Georgiev's future with the New York Rangers hit an Igor Shesterkin sized wall about this time a year or two ago. After the season Shesterkin has had, which has been deservingly capped off with a Vezina Trophy win, there really isn't a place for Georgiev on this team and keeping him here would only hinder his chances at becoming a full time, successful starting goalie in the National Hockey League. While rumors about him wanting out have circulated before, it seems that this time it's for real and Georgiev's expiring contract only makes it all the more necessary to make a move happen sooner rather than later.
We're now going on two years of brainstorming trade ideas for Alexandar Georgiev, yet the price seems to be just as high as it was when the Rangers were first exploring the trade market on him. Chris Drury and company clearly don't want to lose him for nothing and want something more than just a late round draft pick and time is ticking. With the NHL Entry Draft this Thursday and free agency beginning the week after, something has to give. The Rangers could look to get him signed to a deal similar to how they did for Gauthier but that wouldn't really make sense for anyone. Georgiev likely wouldn't entertain any offers from the Rangers as he wouldn't take anything less than his last deal (just shy over two million) and the Rangers won't want to devote that much of their cap to someone their looking to move.
What will likely happen is the Rangers will do what they have to in order to hold onto Georgiev's rights as they continue to look for a trade partner. In the meantime, a team could look to offer sheet Georgiev and if that ends up being the case, the Rangers should gladly accept whatever compensation they would receive as result. One pro of that circumstance would be taking away the stress of negotiating a deal. However, the obvious con would be a limited return and if Georgiev comes to agreement on a cheaper deal with a team he would definitely play more for, the Rangers likely wouldn't get a higher pick that they seem to be looking to get in return for him. Regardless, it will be interesting to see how it plays out as it seems we have spent almost two years exploring options for the prime aged goaltender.
The futures of Alexandar Georgiev and Julien Gauthier will definitely be something to keep an eye on as it's looking more and more like they won't be in New York come the start of next season. It will be interesting to see if Drury can look to package the two of them in a trade, perhaps to a team like Edmonton who can use a goaltender as well as bottom six talent, perhaps in exchange for another talented right winger who also may or may not have requested a trade?? Whatever the case may be, you have to hope for a respectable return, but if the Brett Howden trade is any indication, I wouldn't expect much more than a late round pick for Gauthier alone. Only making it more logical to attempt to package him in a deal with Georgiev for a better return.
As for the rest of the expiring contracts, wheels are allegedly already in motion on getting Kaapo Kakko signed to a bridge deal which is by far Chris Drury's biggest internal priority this offseason. Finding a second line center is without a question the biggest overall objective for the Rangers this summer. Per Larry Brooks of the NY Post, it appears that neither Andrew Copp or Ryan Strome will be that guy for the Rangers, as they are both expected to hit free agency later this month. For a while, it seemed like Andrew Copp could be a guy that sticks around. He made it clear on media day he liked playing in New York, felt a part of the "unfinished business" motive and of course had his good buddy Jacob whispering "stay" in his ear. As for Ryan Strome, if he was willing to take a discount he very well could have stuck around as well but alas, it seems like both will be moving on in hopes of cashing in on a big payday.
The question undoubtedly becomes if not them, who and with a strapped cap situation, it isn't going to be easy for Drury to fill those holes. You have to think that term is what it all came down to given where the Rangers are headed. Even if the Rangers agreed to a dollar amount with either Copp or Strome, it's fair to assume both of them wanted something in the 5-6 year range. This would be quite problematic for the Rangers down the line when they have to pay their Alexis Lafreniere's and K'Andre Miller's. As for the rest of their pending UFA's it's safe to assume Greg McKegg, Justin Braun, and Kevin Rooney are as good as gone as expected. There hasn't been much conversation regarding Frank Vatrano but given the success Brennan Othmann had this year and the resurgence of the relationship with Vitaly Kravtsov, keeping Vatrano in the mix doesn't seem like a priority.
There seems to have been some traction in the Tyler Motte conversation but frankly, after the big contract Tampa just gave Nick Paul, I'm a little nervous to see what numbers the Rangers are flirting Motte with. Motte had proved himself a valuable bottom six forward and would be perfect to keep around, particularly on a line with Goodrow and Blais but if that AAV is anywhere over two million a year and the term is any longer than three years, I'd have many reservations. To my knowledge, there hasn't been many official reports regarding a Motte extension but you have to think given his efforts with the Rangers in the postseason, Chris Drury is certainly giving the situation ample attention.
To recap, as we head into the entry draft, re-sign phaze and free agent frenzy, it seems we can expect Gauthier and Georgiev to be at the top of the trade block, Strome and Copp to be gone as well as a majority of the pending UFA's and to keep eyes and ears on Tyler Motte and any other players around the league who could fill that second line center role. Who might some of those players be? Tune in tomorrow and find out!
Chris Feldman
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