The New York Rangers are anticipated to make a deep playoff run this season, as they got here up quick shedding within the Japanese Convention Remaining final season. After profitable the Presidents’ Trophy with the very best common season file, Rangers followers chalked up their season as a profitable one, regardless of being unable to win the Stanley Cup. With free company being a standard time for groups to exit and make a splash to enhance their group, the Rangers opted to not go after any big-name free brokers and stored their group as just like final season as potential. Whereas there have been rumors that they have been making an attempt to dump Jacob Trouba and his huge contract, nothing ever got here to fruition.
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Whereas most groups within the NHL have to fret concerning the stability of their goaltending, the Rangers don’t have that difficulty in any respect as Igor Shesterkin continues to solidify himself as an elite-level goalie each season. The place they do have a problem although, is their defensive depth on the fitting aspect of the blue line. Everybody is aware of good right-hand defencemen are onerous to come back by on the NHL stage, as we’ve seen with the Edmonton Oilers’ struggles over the previous a number of seasons, and the Rangers may benefit from an improve. Whereas their depth chart isn’t dangerous by any means, they certainly might afford to make a splash, particularly in the event that they determine to revisit buying and selling Trouba.
One defenceman who might discover himself dealing with a proposal sheet after an elite couple of seasons with the Oilers is Evan Bouchard. Whereas nothing has indicated the 2 sides don’t need to get an extension accomplished, the Oilers should pay him in a giant solution to hold him round long-term, which might result in negotiations dragging out. If Bouchard hits free company as a restricted free agent (RFA) then the Rangers ought to think about hitting him with a proposal sheet. If the Rangers finally transfer Trouba and avoid wasting cash within the course of, they need to be prepared to spend massive and enhance their top-four defensive core.
Bouchard Has Norris Trophy Future Forward of Him, Rangers Ought to Pay
It will be foolish to say Bouchard can’t make a push for a Norris Trophy all through his profession. Whereas beating out Cale Makar, Adam Fox, and Miro Heiskanen can be a troublesome job each season, his offensive manufacturing final season confirmed indicators that he may be capable to discover one other step in his sport. For the Rangers, bringing in an elite-level participant like Bouchard who can put up over a degree per sport is one thing they need to be prepared to pay for. Whereas a large seven-year contract, for instance, may cost a steep value to pull him away from the Oilers, the Rangers ought to use their further cap house and take a run at him.
It’s not day by day a participant like Bouchard turns into obtainable, at the same time as an RFA. If the Rangers can’t get it accomplished this season and discover themselves again at sq. one subsequent summer season, going after Bouchard to ship a message needs to be their primary purpose. He’s the proper substitute for Trouba and would doubtless create one among, if not the very best defensive lineup within the NHL.
Now, sadly for the Rangers, the value goes to be steep. Realistically, the Oilers could have him priced above Darnell Nurse’s $9.25 million annual wage, however they’ll certainly try to speak him down. To carry him in, the Rangers must at the very least supply near $10.25-10.75 million yearly and quit two first-round picks, a second-round decide, and a third-round decide as compensation. Nonetheless, he’s value it.
Bouchard has improved defensively each season and continues to be a improbable asset for the Oilers. If the Rangers need to make a push for his or her first Stanley Cup since 1994, bringing in an elite participant like Bouchard might be the reply to lastly getting over the hump and profitable a championship.
