Update: The New York Rangers did make a trade today when they acquired Wojtek Wolski from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for Michal Rozsival. The move while having an element of gamble to is does certainly add to the Rangers overall talent level and makes them a bigger threat in the East then they were even before the Frolov injury.The big question out there today is whether the season ending injury to Alex Frolov changes any of the New York Rangers calculations when it comes to making a trade. Expect to have the rumor-mill churning with all sorts of names heading to the Rangers for everything under the sun, but let us take a step back and assess the situation. The reality is that it both does and does not change the way the Rangers have to look at the roster. The fact is replacing Frolov’s actual production is not that difficult seeing as how he only had a line of 7-9-16 in 43 games played and overall has been a massive disappointment. In that sense there is no real need to make a move to replace him as he has fluctuated on and off the fourth line. On the other hand there is a need to replace what the Rangers thought Frolov was going to be this season in terms of a secondary scorer. The question then becomes do the Rangers try and hold the fort until the reinforcements of Ryan Callahan, Erik Christensen and Vinny Prospal filter back into the lineup over the next month or so or do they look to make a move to bring another player to add to the team?
The answer in the short term is likely that they try to ride out the injuries as they have to this point. Only problem with that line of thinking is that at some point there has to be a cumulative impact of all these injuries, especially when added to the lack of performance from Marian Gaborik. If you had Gabby firing away like he is capable to go with Dubinsky, Stepan, and Boyle to provide you with four consistent goal scorers at the moment a move would not only not be necessary now it might not be necessary at all to be a contender this season.
The obvious drawback to looking to
make a move right now is the other organizations will smell blood in the water
and demand a higher premium for whatever you are looking to acquire. Salary is not really an issue with the loss
of Frolov since club now possesses approximately 4 million and cap space and
come trade deadline time could pick up a salary as large as 8.8 million
according to Capgeek. This might make the big name, big contract
guy a temptation for Sather, but I do not feel that is the kind of guy the team
needs. As I said above what the team
needs is a person to fill the role that Frolov was supposed to fill.
This creates a different conversation
of whether the simple answer is just that Mats Zuccarello is that player. Emotionally I want to believe he is that
answer and he has shown he can play at this level while thriving in big
moments, but my worry is about position.
I know that Zuke has and can play the left side, but in watching the
difference in how he played for the Rangers on the right and left wings there
was a stark difference in his effectiveness.
Reality is when Callahan comes back the Rangers have three right wingers
who are top six capable and only one left winger unless Prospal proves to be
healthy, which I am not counting on.
I believe this team needs a LW
and I have a number of them in mind with varying costs (mainly Gilroy and/or picks) in terms of trade
requirements but not with significant salaries that better fit the Rangers need
for a second line winger who can score on the power play. I have discussed a few of them and depending
on what happens in the short term I will talk about some more and why I think
they solve the holes for the team.
In the meantime the Rangers are
going to try and hold the fort and do not be surprised if the move to bring up
Newbury is a potential hedge against relying on Avery as Newbury can play
center, which would free Drury to move back up to the second line while they
wait for those reinforcements to arrive.
So tell me what you think. Will
the Rangers make a trade? Should the Rangers make a trade? If they should, what should they target?
