With the Stanley Cup all wrapped up, we move into the offseason and the NHL free-agent market will be opening on July 28. For the general manager in the league, this is an opportunity to strengthen and reshape their rosters.
Entering summer, New York Rangers’ general manager Chris Drury said to the media via best us online casino: “It’s hard not to watch these playoffs and notice the physicality, the energy, the effort and the intensity it takes to win and to succeed and we’re certainly going to need to play that way to have success in the regular season and the playoffs.
“We’re always looking at ways to improve the lineup, to add different pieces, just like every team in the league, and every team in the league is watching these playoffs – you know we all want harder players to play against and we’re no different.”
In this article, we will be looking at the few UFA targets for the Rangers this offseason. The potential players that could be signed to the Rangers roster.
Watching the Rangers play this season, we understood that there is a need for the franchise to reshape their third and fourth line this offseason. Here are a few players that could give head coach Gerard Gallant what he lacks in his roster. They can also compete strongly in the postseason when the games become difficult for all.
Blake Coleman (Center – $1.8M AAV)
The Tampa Bay Lightning winger had a prolific campaign this season as he was able to score 31 points in 55 games for the Lightning. The 29-year-old winger, who stands 5-11 and weighs 200 lbs, is a strong forward that is quite aggressive on the pick and hits with a goal in mind. The winger was able to register 109 hits this season for Tampa Bay. Although he is known as a central player, he was played in the wing position this campaign
Barclay Goodrow (Center – $925K AAV)
Barclay Goodrow is another Tampa Bay Lightning player and he is also a prolific player. The 28-year-old centre, who stands 6-2 and weighs 215 lbs, registered 20 points in 55 games for the Lightning for the 2020/21 campaign. In his career, Goodrow wins 52% of the draws he takes and he would be a nice addition to the Rangers roster if they can pull it off.
Casey Cizikas (Center – $3.35M AAV)
The New York Islanders centre may be the top free agent the Rangers are targetting this summer. Standing 5-11 and weighing 195 lbs, Cizikas is no stranger to the postseason as he wins draws and scores clutch goals. The 30-year-old centre could be said to be playing bigger than his size. For the Islanders, he was able to register 14 points in 56 games this season, but it’s unlikely he will remain with the franchise for next season, with pokies online providing the potential odds for his next destination.
Jordan Marinook (Forward – $2M AAV)
Carolina Hurricanes is one of the players in the NHL known to be aggressive going forward. Back in 2018/19, he was able to rack up 199 hits along with 46 blocks in 82 games for the Hurricanes, he also registered 25 points. He is also a motivator in the locker room and loved by his teammates. Adding him to the Rangers’ roster will strengthen the team.