New York Rangers 2014 Offseason Plan

I was wrong, I'm sorry I really thought the Rangers were the team of destiny and they would end their 20 year drought and win the cup; I really did. From the outside looking in a 4-1 series win looks like the series was not even close especially when the series was 3-0; however that was not the case; 3 out of the 5 games went to OT and 2 of them went to double OT. If the Rangers got a bounce here or there and a call here or there, I could be writing about how happy I am that the Rangers lifted the cup etc.. But, That is not the reality of the situation, the reality is the Rangers did not get the bounces or the calls, and lost the series to frankly, a better team. The Rangers hit the post more times than I care to count in the total 6 overtimes, in 3 games, but that is life. I will stop dwelling on that and actually talk about what this article is about, which you know from the title. For certain stretches in the postseason the Rangers could have changed their name to the Henrik Lundqvist's because he played brilliantly, while other players cough cough Rick Nash did not show up. The Rangers will buyout Center Brad Richards, because of the retirement cap penalty and the lack of the quality of play in comparison to the amount of money he is making.

Free Agent Situation: 

The Rangers have five restricted free agents and another seven unrestricted free agents, some of which I think they should resign and some of which I do not think they should resign. The UFA's are Brian Boyle, Benoit Pouliot, Dominic Moore, Daniel Carcillo, Anton Stralman and Raphael Diaz. Out of that crop I would resign Dom Moore to a three year deal worth 1.5 million dollars and Brian Boyle to a one year deal worth 1 million dollars. Now to the RFA's, Derick Brassard, Chris Kreider, Mats Zuccarello, Justin Falk, and John Moore. I think it would be very very unwise of Rangers GM Glen Sather to let Mats Zuccarello walk. I would resign Zuccarello to a 5 year deal worth 6 million dollars because of his improvement from a player only to be used in a shootout to one of the Rangers best players, far and away. I would also resign Kreider, Brassard and John Moore because I think Chris Kreider will only improve with time, and Brassard is also a good center man. John Moore is also a good 3rd D-Line pairing. The Rangers also should sign former captain Ryan Callahan to a 4 year 3 million dollar deal, they also should sign Paul Stastny from the Colorado Avalanche using the money from the buyout of Brad Richards for a 3 year, $1,250,000.00 deal.

Possible Trades:

If the Rangers want to be back where they were this year in the Stanley Cup finals they need to find a trade partner for Rick Nash, who had a terrible postseason scoring two goals in 26 games, needless to say that is not going to cut it. I would trade a first round pick and Rick Nash to the Ottawa Senators for Jason Spezza. However, Spezza has said he has 16 teams he does not want to go to but did not release the list, if the Rangers are one of those 16 i would call up the San Jose Sharks inquiring about center big bad Joe Thornton. A possible trade scenario would be Rick Nash and John Moore for Joe Thornton. I think this would be mutually beneficial to both teams because I think Rick Nash would be on the west coast and re find his game with Joe Pavelski and I think Joe Thornton could center the Rangers 3rd line, and checking line with Derek Dorsett at Left Wing and Dominic Moore at right wing. I say that because Joe Thornton is skilled but he would not fit on a speedy line like a line with the likes of Carl Hagelin, Marty St.Louis and Mats Zuccarello.


Possible Draft Picks:

The 2014 NHL Draft is on June 27th and 28th, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Rangers do not have a 2014 First round pick because it is in the possession of the Tampa Bay Lightning from the Callahan-St.Louis trade. The Rangers do however have the 59th overall pick, a second round pick. As a result, big name, big impact in 2014-15, and probably 2015-16 players will be off the board. So, the Rangers can pick a center out of Dexter School in Massachusetts, who has committed to Harvard for the 2015-16 season, named Ryan Donato, whose father was a Ranger, and is now the Head Coach at Harvard University. They could also get a defenseman named Alex Peters, out of the Plymouth Whalers. He had three goals this year.  The last person they could possibly get is Luke Phillip a center out of the Kootenay Ice in the WHL. He had 31 goals and 77 points this year for the Ice. 

Hartford WolfPack and who will be called up in 2014-15:

The Hartford WolfPack had a bad year, not making the playoffs. I think the Rangers could once they get rid of Daniel Carcillo call up Dylan Mcilrath, who is basically the same player, a fighter. They could also call up J.T. Miller, who I enjoy watching very much and is a good player, and Ryan Bourque. 

I believe the Rangers can and will get back to the cup next year if they do all these things mentioned in the article.