NHL free agency: 5 teams who need to sign Erik Karlsson

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 28: {L-R} Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Brayden Point #21 of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators wait to be introduced during the 2018 Honda NHL All-Star Game at Amalie Arena on January 28, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) /

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2. New York Rangers

The New York Rangers might be rebuilding, but if their rebuild is a fire, a whole lot of gasoline just got poured all over it in the form of the second overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft (likely Kaapo Kakko). This speeds up the timeline of their rebuild. Suddenly, signing Erik Karlsson makes a ton of sense.

It made sense even before the Rangers were guaranteed an elite prospect who should turn into a star forward. After all, New York has one of the worst defensive cores in the NHL. Karlsson would immediately turn it into a far more respectable one.

They also have the salary cap space to sign him. And even if space winds up being an issue, they have a number of forwards they could trade to open up some space. Karlsson and his family want to go a team where they’ll have some friends. It’s not a secret Henrik Lundqvist is one of Karlsson’s best friends.

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The Rangers need to fix their defense desperately. Karlsson has a pulse, ergo, it already makes sense for them to go after him. Factor in what he can do on the ice and he’s a perfect fit for the New York Rangers.

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