Update of Off-Season Targets for New York Rangers After Day 1 of Free Agency

Added by Dante Vassallo on July 2, 2012.

The New York Rangers could still be looking to make a trade for Rick Nash.

Day One has come and gone, and despite a few questionable decisions, the New York Rangers don’t appear to have improved the team.  In fact, some would argue that some damage has actually been done.  Here’s a look at yesterday’s action, as it pertains to the Rangers.

Brandon Prust – Montreal Canadians / 4 Years $10 Million

Good for him.  That is a huge payday for Pruster, and one Sather made clear he had no intention of matching.  It has been reported that the Rangers were willing to go as high as 3 Years/$6 million, which if true would mean Prust would have left $1.5 million on the table over three years and given up an addition year at $2.5 million to remain in New York.  Considering the style he plays and the toll it no doubt will take on his body, and the fact that his value is at an all-time high right now, you can’t blame him for taking the money while it’s there for him.  His departure definitely takes away from the identity, leadership, and team chemistry that the Rangers have created.  Will likely be routing for him when he fights Asham every time the Rangers play Montreal next season.

Justin Schultz – Edmonton Oilers / Entry Level Deal

Time will tell if this one hurts the Rangers.  He sure seemed like the answer to some of their problems.  His decision to sign with Edmonton makes a ton of sense.  He’s kind of like the new kid that moves to town and gets accepted by the cool kids clique.  The expectation is that he will help make the Oilers a legitimate contender in a few years, so the pressure to be an instant star is removed.  Edmonton fans have many exciting years ahead of them with this young crop of stars.  They have already drawn comparisons to the glory years of the Oilers and the cup team of Colorado.

Shane Doan – UFA

In keeping with the classy way this guy has conducted himself his entire career, Doan has decided to wait until July 9^th to decide where he will play.  By then, he will know if the Coyotes are going to remain in Phoenix, in which case he stays with them, or if ownership will move them, to say Quebec, in which case he leaves.  It is unclear how serious the Rangers are about signing him, or what their chances are.  If the Rick Nash deal drags on until then, Doan would be an excellent addition that doesn’t cause the Rangers to lose the players they would have to deal for Nash.  He would also be the perfect mentor for Brandon Dubinsky.

Alex Semin – UFA

Still available.  Still no.

Keith Yandle – Phoenix Coyotes

Nothing to report on this front.  The Rangers do not appear to be favorites to land Suter/Weber, so they need to get this done soon if they want him.  Teams who lose out on the Nashville star defensemen will undoubtedly shift their attention to Yandle as a Plan B.

Rick Nash – Columbus Blue Jackets

Great article here by Larry Brooks.  Having already lost Prust, I’m worried about the damage this deal would do to the Rangers identity.  If New York can land him for prospects and high picks, which is highly unlikely, I am all for it.  If they have to give up key roster players like Dubinsky and Del Zotto along with those prospects and picks, I’m out.  The team the Rangers currently have was good enough to dominate the Eastern Conference last season.  A full year of Kreider and Hagelin, along with further improvements from Del Zotto, Stepan, and Anisimov, and bounce-back years from Dubinsky and Staal could easily account for the points Nash would bring in.  Prior to his sibling-induced concussion, Marc Staal was showing signs of offensive production.  Perhaps he can find that form again having had more time to heal.

Zach Parise – UFA

Mary Broduer signed with Devils again, so maybe Parise opts to stay as well.  His decision is supposed to be made today, so we will know any time now.