New York Rangers: Top 3 keys to the 2020 offseason
2. Add A Second Line Center
Looking at the New York Rangers forwards, they’ve got a surprisingly solid group of players. But one notable hole is the second line center. Ryan Strome did fine there last season, but his numbers away from Panarin weren’t too good. Filip Chytil is likely their best internal option other than Strome (who’s an RFA), but the Rangers need results now. They can’t afford to hand Chytil the second-line center job.
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Unfortunately, the free agent market likely isn’t an option for them. Tyler Ennis is intriguing as a middle-six forward, but there aren’t any second-line centers available.
They could offer sheet an RFA, but they’d be very limited since they don’t have their own second-round pick in 2021. Though I’d pay good money to see the Rangers sign Mathew Barzal to an offer sheet with over $10,907,736 annually.
Anthony Cirelli of the Tampa Bay Lightning would be a great target. He’s capable of playing top-six minutes, he is phenomenal defensively, and he can carry his own line. Cirelli is an RFA, so the Rangers should at least try to get him to sign an offer sheet.
They could sign him to a deal between $4,363,096 and $6,544,640 annually (likely towards the latter). I’d happily give up a 2021 first rounder for Cirelli. You’re probably not drafting anyone better than him anyway.
I imagine the Rangers were turn to the trade market. Teams are going to be looking to create cap space and the Rangers have plenty of it.