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Which Ranger would be the most painful to lose in the expansion draft?

June 19, 2017, 8:24 AM ET [596 Comments]
Jan Levine
New York Rangers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Rangers announced their list or protected players Sunday. Other than maybe one player, and even that has been subject to debate, the list is what we all expected. This was especially so when no deals were made prior to the submission date.

The Rangers protected:

Forwards — Derek Stepan, Rick Nash, Mats Zuccarello, Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, Kevin Hayes and J.T. Miller
Defensemen — Ryan McDonagh, Marc Staal and Nick Holden
Goalie — Henrik Lundqvist


Ten of the 11 players are what we expected. As noted above, one might have been a surprise, which was Holden. As I said a few times, I would have protected Smith, despite the upcoming UFA status, largely to prevent Vegas from even having a chance to sign him. It's unlikely Vegas would have taken him, even to flip him, because there are others that provide much more value. Holden was better the first half of he season and exposed defensively in the playoffs, but he did score 11 goals, is making just $1.65 million and wouldn't be a bad third pairing player, especially if New York locks up Smith and adds one more d-man.

As information has filtered out as to deals made with Vegas to protect assets, you understand why NY didn't or hasn't gone that route. To surrender a first rounder to protect one of the big-four exposed likely was viewed as too much.. But just because no deal has been done, doesn't mean one won't be, especially since Vegas has indicated they are open for business and pretty much nothing is off the table. Right now, GM George McPhee controls he market place, just wait for the future when the worms turns, it will be interesting to see what GM's do to him in future transactions.

The Rangers’ list of exposed players:

Forwards — Taylor Beck, Chris Brown, Daniel Catenacci, Jesper Fast, Tanner Glass, Michael Grabner, Marek Hrivik, Nicklas Jensen, Carl Klingberg, Oscar Lindberg, Brandon Pirri, Matt Puempel
Defensemen — Adam Clendening, Tommy Hughes, Steven Kampfer, Kevin Klein, Michael Paliotta, Brendan Smith, Chris Summers
Goalies — Magnus Hellberg, Antti Raanta, Mackenzie Skapski


Clearly it's the big four. Fast, Grabner, Lindberg and Raanta. I saw one mock draft that had Vegas taking Pirri. Maybe that happens if NY sweetens the pot, but I would be shocked if that happens. If the Golden Knights take Pirri, especially without incentive, the Rangers would do backflips.

Fast is someone who can be plugged and played almost anywhere in the lineup. He is best served on the third or fourth line, but could move up if needed. Fast is responsible defensively, brings a lunch pail game and chips in occasionally offensively. When you add in what his salary most probably would be, losing him would most certainly hurt. I know the hope is that because Fast will miss five months after undergoing a successful labral repair of his left hip that maybe Vegas looks elsewhere. At just 25, Fast should have a long career ahead of him and with Vegas looking for the future rather than just now, the impact of the surgery will be minimal.

Grabner had a surprising 27 goals. Granted, he had a ton of breakaways and missed the net an inordinate amount of times, but his speed was a major asset. Grabner shot an unsustainable 16.7%, but even if that falls, his work on the PK and ability to create space for others, gives him value. Grabner is 30 and has one year left, but Vegas could flip him at the deadline for a very solid return.

Lindberg is just scratching the surface of what he can become. I don't view him as a first or second liner, despite his advanced metrics, but a third liner who could get 18 or so goals. Add in his ability defensively and in the faceoff circle, coupled with his age and cap hit, to me this is the one that would be the most painful to lose.

As we have seen, goalies hold a ton of interest. I think Vegas takes five goalies and trade the "excess." It's for that reason, why Raanta could be the target. As we saw with Cam Talbot, it's not just the system or goaltending coach Benoit Allaire, but also the player. This isn't always the case, but I think Raanta could be a No. 1 elsewhere or at worst, a major part of a platoon. If Raanta is selected, he likely gets dealt to another team for draft picks or a player. It's because of our belief in Allaire, that losing Raanta might be viewed as the least painful, because the thought process may be that whoever New York brought in to replace Raanta would be a fine fit because of Allaire.

Vote in the poll and weigh in with what you think. Also, in the comments, if yo don't want to lose one of the four, what deal would you make to keep the "big four." Thanks to jimbo for the idea.

Who would be the main painful for the Rangers to lose to Vegas in the expansion draft?
 
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