Continuing with my two part piece on UFA’s Jeff Gorton should potentially target.
Erik Haula - Erik Haula’s bounced around a little bit the last couple years going from Minnesota to Vegas followed by Carolina and Florida. His best season came in 2017-18 snagging 55 points in the first expansion season. If the Rangers are able to sign him to a short term deal in the give or take two million dollar range it would be worth a shot. Haula can play center, or either wing making him an excellent depth option which is something the Rangers desperately need, primarily for their bottom six forward group.
Ben Hutton - Ben Hutton’s coming off a two year deal the LA Kings picked up at the trade deadline from the Vancouver Canucks. Hutton hasn’t put up outstanding numbers, his best year coming during his rookie season with 25 points. However, if the Rangers can’t fix their back end via trades or can’t afford to give out Tj Brodie money, he might be a low risk-high reward option. If he’s willing to take a discount for a chance to prove himself on Broadway, sign him up.
Patrick Maroon - As of right now, Patrick Maroon is a one time Stanley Cup Champion with last years St. Louis Blues. He currently remains in the bubble looking to go back to back with the Tampa Bay Lightning so depending on that outcome will certainly impact what his next move looks like. Nevertheless, he has cup experience and is an excellent depth and leadership option for the Rangers, unless he wants big money and longer term. If he wants to keep bouncing around collecting as many cups as he can, give him a year or two in New York to teach Brett Howden what the Stanley Cup is all about.
More Depth Defenders:
Oscar Fatenberg - Oscar’s played in less than 150 NHL games and hasn’t really stood out much. He put up decent numbers in Sweden but at his best in North America, collected 13 points in Ontario while a part of the Kings Organization. He’s bounced around with three NHL teams, is probably past his prime, but if the Rangers want a veteran presence on the bag end in Hartford and a call up option, he’s worth consideration for a two-way deal.
Nathan Beaulieu - Nathan put up 28 points with Montreal in the last year of his deal in 2017 causing Buffalo to throw some money at him that offseason. He hasn’t put up more than nine points since. Winnipeg picked him up in 2019 and re up’d him on a million dollar one year deal. He’s only 27 so I’d say while unlikely, there’s still an opportunity for him to find his game and have a rebound sort of season. Another low risk option for the Rangers assuming he’ll take either a two-way deal or at least stay under a million for the year.
Michael Del Zotto - Excuse me, that’s Stanley Cup Champion Michael Del Zotto, who would’ve thought? That’s right kids, while not contributing a whole heck of a lot down the stretch, MDZ did in fact lift Lord Stanley’s Hardware in the summer of 2019. And as I mentioned in my last piece, if there’s one thing the Rangers are no strangers to, it’s bringing back familiar faces. The now 30 year old defenseman hasn’t quite found a home or his game since we flipped him for Kevin Klein in 2014 but why not bring him back for depth at the point? He sneakily put up 15 points last season which doesn’t by any means mean pay him and play him with Adam Fox or Jacob Trouba but if trades don’t happen and we’re “balling on a budget” let’s give him a shot on the third pairing.
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