The Rangers opened the Prospect Development Camp on Monday. Until scrimmages start Wednesday, to me, there isn't a ton to be gleaned from today or tomorrow. In addition, Monday was the day for teams to provide qualifying offers to their restricted free agents or they become free to talk to all clubs. Some of those not qualifies might interest the Rangers. I get in that and more below.
The only possible bit of news is Vitali Kravtsov might come over to the U.S. this year. Kravtsov has the option to buy out the last year of his KHL contract, and Rangers GM Jeff Gorton will speak with Kravtsov’s agent, Paul Theofanous, when he visits the Rangers’ practice facility later this week. Kravtsov said whether he chooses to come to North America this fall “depends on how I go through this process of the development camp, what the coach is seeing, what the expectations are from me coming into this year,’’ and added, “I’ll listen to them and listen to their advice.’’ New York would be wise to follow the path utilized with Filip Chytil last season, where Chytil played for Hartford, enabling him to get familiar with North American culture and NHL-size rinks, and improve his English.
Gorton on his early thoughts on #NYRPDC, his reaction to last weekend's draft and much more :
“First impressions are all good so far.… In part 1 of his address to the media, #NYR GM Jeff Gorton on his early thoughts on #NYRPDC, his reaction to last weekend's draft and much more. pic.twitter.com/8DhGtE0C3H
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 25, 2018
In part 2, Gorton shares his thoughts on Brett Howden, K'Andre Miller, Nils Lundkvist and other #NYR prospects looking to make an impact at #NYRPDC. pic.twitter.com/BTGg8rLtkj
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 25, 2018
Gorton added what he is looking for in free agency this year:
Rangers GM Jeff Gorton said he has already spoken to a number of pending UFAs and is active in that process. He said the expectation is to provide opportunity for the young guys next season, but the hope is to bring in some "character players" that can show them the ropes.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) June 25, 2018
To me, character is an odd term to use. With Mike Zibanejad, Kevin Hayes, Mats Zuccarello, Chris Kreider, Marc Staal, Kevin Shattenkirk and Henrik Lundqvist all veteran players to different extents, who are you really bringing in with more character than those players? Character really means a player somewhat cheap who may only be on the team for a year or possibly two and can be traded at the deadline to bring in a younger asset or draft pick.
One comment that Gorton made that I also found interesting is that he hinted he's talked to some guys the club traded away who are now UFAs. On that list could be Rick Nash, Michael Grabner, Nick Holden, Dominic Moore and John Moore, as well as of Monday, Anthony Duclair, who wasn't qualified by Chicago.
Nash:
Significant interest in veteran forward Rick Nash. At least 5 teams are pursuing the star winger.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 26, 2018
That level of interest, which reportedly includes Columbus, might price him out of New York's range. Yesterday, it was reported that Nash might be considering retirement, which still may be the case. A few postulated on twitter about possibly bringing back Nash and making him Captain. If you wanted someone to learn from and to lead by example, he would be the perfect candidate, but five teams with interest likely puts him out of the Rangers' level of interest due to salary.
Grabner:
Hearing #NHLBruins have checked in on speedster Michael Grabner, Devils UFA
— Mark Divver (@MarkDivver) June 26, 2018
Boston has been rumored to be interested in Grabner for three years. His fit in new coach David Quinn's system is not clear. Grabner was a perfect fit under AV, but struggled in New Jersey. A reunion would be fine by me, if years and $ are reasonable.
Duclair:
Anthony Duclair (not qualified by Chicago, is now UFA) is a real good young forward. pic.twitter.com/99F1R9WW47
— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) June 25, 2018
With New York rebuilding, taking a flier on a cheap possibly productive asset for a year or two, especially on a two-way contract, makes a ton of sense. Use those players to boost their value and hopefully flip them for a future asset. In Duclair's case, he did show enough in New York to tempt Arizona and maybe a return to the Big Apple unlocks his career. He likely will draw interest from many, including Montreal.
Other not offered qualifying offers included Tobias Rieder, Nick Shore, Riley Sheahan, Nail Yakupov and Devamte Smith-Pelley. Of that list, I would love Rieder, who would bring some speed and bit of grit, filling a role similar to that of Grabner. Yakupov would be a reclamation project while DSP does provide the veteran presence Gorton desires.
Devante Smith-Pelly, Anthony Duclair, Nail Yakupov among notables to not receive qualifying offer. https://t.co/F7dqGrVMa3 pic.twitter.com/C6alkPiXBU
— theScore (@theScore) June 25, 2018
From the UFA list, whose contracts expired after last year besides the ex-Rangers noted above, don't loom for New York to be shopping in the high-end district. Rather the bargain basement. As such, some names that could fit, either on one or two year deals include Antoine Roussel. Leo Komarov. Tommy Wingels and Greg Pateryn. (Update: I have also seen Jay Beagle, Matty Calvert and Mart Letestu mentioned in this context). I will take a look at the list more extensively before the weekend and add other names that might be a fit.
The other prominent strategy mentioned by several on twitter and elsewhere is taking on bad contracts for younger assets or draft picks. Similar was accomplished as part of the Nash trade, when Boston dealt Matt Beleskey, eating half of his $3.8 million salary, with New York assuming the rest. In this case, because of the league rules, the net impact on the cap was only a $1 million extra when Beleskey was in the minors. Winnipeg will be looking to move Steve Mason in order to free up cap room. With one year left at a $4.1 million, the Rangers could easily take in half that salary for a pick or player. New York also could take on the full salary, then be willing to eat half of Mason’s contract, assuming the cap hit, to move him to another team as their back up goalie, thereby acquiring an additional asset. In addition, acquiring Mason as a backup to Henrik Lundqvist would allow Alexandar Georgiev to play daily at Hartford. Minnesota is looking to move Tyler Ennis’ $4.6 mil in salary and might attach Charlie Coyle, Nino Niederreiter or Jason Zucker along with the contract to get out of that signing. This is where Gorton has to smart and aggressive, using the available cap space to improve the team for the future.
Tuesday, the Hockey Hall of Fame announces their next round of inductees. Three former Rangers could possibly earn hockey's greatest distinction. Martin St. Louis (1st year), while not a lock, has an extremely good chance of receiving the call. With no clear locks besides Martin Broduer (1st year) and St. Louis plus Daniel Aldredsson (2nd year) as the two other favorites, Kevin Lowe (17th year) might have a shot at earning a hall berth. The same for Sergei Zubov (6th year), whose candidacy has started to receive some steam the past few years. Other possibles, taken from Greg Wyshynski's column on ESPN last November, include Sergei Gonchar (1st year), Doug Wilson (22nd year), Alexander Mogilny, Right Wing (9th year); Chris Osgood, Goalie (4th year); Jeremy Roenick, Center (6th year), Rod Brind'Amour, Center (5th year); Theo Fleury, Right Wing (12th year); Boris Mikhailov, Right Wing (34th year); Curtis Joseph, Goalie (6th year), Keith Tkachuk, Left Wing (5th year) and Pierre Turgeon, Center (8th year). One of the bigger long-shots is another ex-Ranger, Pat Verbeek. Willie O'Ree should already be in and he has an extremely good chance of finally making the Hall this year.