Heading into the 2023-24 season, the Rangers are clearly in win-now mode.
They’re coming off a third-place finish in the Metropolitan Division after a busy trade deadline, though it ultimately resulted in a disappointing end. The Rangers, of course, fell to the much younger and quicker Devils in seven games in the first round.
GM Chris Drury has already made some changes this offseason, firing Gerard Gallant and bringing in a new voice behind the bench in longtime NHL head coach Peter Laviolette.
And after being outplayed and out-hustled during the seven-game set, they’ll certainly be looking to make some changes in the on-ice personnel as well this offseason.
That’ll be a bit of a tough task for Drury & Co. as they don’t have much cap space to work with ($11.7 million), but they’re going to have to figure out a way to keep this team a Stanley Cup contender.
Let’s take a look at some of the internal and external free agents to consider this offseason.
Unrestricted free agents
Patrick Kane, Vladimir Tarasenko
Both of the Rangers’ big trade deadline additions are set to hit free agency this offseason.
Kane had a bit of a shaky tenure in the Big Apple, recording 12 points (five goals, seven assists) across 19 games. A known playoff performer, he put up six points in the seven game series against the Devils.
Kane battled the injury bug last season and ended up undergoing hip surgery this offseason. The 34-year-old faces a recovery time of 4-to-6 months, but his agent Pat Brisson told Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman that the star winger “wants to play for a long time.”
Tarasenko fit in very well in this Rangers lineup after being acquired from the St. Louis Blues and seemed to enjoy his time in the Big Apple. He provided a legit threat on the right wing and brought a much needed shoot-first mentality.
Tarasenko scored eight times and recorded a total of 21 points across 31 games. He added three more goals and an assist in the playoffs against New Jersey.
If the Rangers were to bring back one of the two deadline splashes, Tarasenko is definitely the option that makes a bit more sense. If he’s willing to take a team-friendly deal, with hopes of competing somewhere he’s comfortable, a return would make sense for both sides.
If Tarasenko ends up being priced out of the Rangers’ range though, perhaps the Kane injury news will shrink his market a bit and Drury may be able to bring him back on a short-term prove-it deal.
And if both of them decide to sign elsewhere this offseason, the Rangers are going to have to figure out another way to address their lack of depth at right wing this offseason.
Tyler Motte
Motte has been a solid plug-in on the Rangers’ fourth line each of the past two seasons ahead of the deadline. He recorded five goals and five assists across 24 regular season games this time around.
Paired with Jimmy Vesey and Barclay Goodrow, the trio provided speed and grit to this lineup. They were one of the only lines that was able to effectively forecheck against the young and speedy Devils.
Motte is set to test free agency this offseason, but during his breakup day interview with reporters, he implied he’d be interested in returning. The scrappy winger fits the type of players Laviolette seems to be looking for.
The Rangers need more players like Motte, and they shouldn’t let him get away again this offseason.
Niko Mikkola
The 27-year-old Mikkola stepped up and played well for the Rangers after being acquired in the Tarasenko deal. He helped solidify the bottom pairing and slid up in the lineup when Ryan Lindgren went down with an injury.
Mikkola wasn’t a star by any means, but the 6-foot-4 defenseman used his size to his advantage and played with toughness. Like Motte, those seem like traits Laviolette values in his players.
New York did extend Zac Jones on a two-year deal earlier this month, and they have other young defensemen in the system, so that could spell the end of Mikkola’s time with the team.
Jaroslav Halak
After a slow start in his first season with the Rangers, the veteran net-minder rebounded nicely. He was an extremely reliable backup behind Igor Shesterkin, posting a record of 10-9-5 with a .903 save percentage and 2.72 goals-against average.
Halak’s agent, Allan Walsh, told the Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun that the 38-year-old is “100 percent committed to playing in the NHL next year.” They’ve reportedly already had preliminary conversations with the Rangers about a reunion on Broadway.
There is, however, the chance that he’s looking for around the $1.5 million that he made last season. If that’s the case, Drury and company will likely have to look elsewhere for a cheaper option.
Restricted free agents
Alexis Lafreniere, K’Andre Miller
Miller and Lafreniere will likely take up the bulk of the Rangers’ cap space this offseason.
Lafreniere, who has yet to live up to the sky-high expectations, is coming off a bit of a roller coaster season. When he was hot he was a solid piece in the Rangers’ lineup, but other times he failed to produce much at all.
Gallant ultimately decided to make him a healthy scratch in late December to try to motivate him. That didn’t work, however, as his streaky season continued toward the end of the regular season.
Lafreniere finished the year with 39 points (16 goals, 23 assists), both of which are career highs. He then failed to record a single point during the seven-game playoff series against the Devils.
According to USA Today’s Vince Mercogliano, the winger is likely looking at a two-year bridge deal.
Miller, on the other hand, is coming off a very strong 2023 campaign. He finished second among Rangers defenseman, only behind Adam Fox, with a career-high 43 points (nine goals, 34 assists).
He played well alongside captain Jacob Trouba all season, establishing himself as a top-four defenseman. Miller began using his size, speed, and physicality to his advantage more and more throughout the year.
The University of Wisconsin product was a force for the Rangers on both ends of the ice last season, and he’s proven he’s capable of a long-term deal, though negotiations with Miller will likely be a bit more complicated, according to the report.
External options
Garnet Hathaway
Hathaway seems like a perfect fit for the Rangers this offseason.
He’s very similar to Motte, in that he is a scrappy and tough forechecker. He has that ability to go into the corner and dig pucks out and can get under opponents’ skin.
The Rangers lacked those attributes at times during the regular season and playoffs.
Hathaway also has connections to this Rangers team, as he used to play for Laviolette during his time with the Washington Capitals. He also offered some high praise of winger Chris Kreider, who had a big influence on his early career.
The 31-year-old is coming off a 13-goal, nine-assist season in 84 games with the Capitals. While he’s not a star, Hathaway offers that tough, hard-working presence that the Rangers are lacking.
He would be a really solid addition to New York’s bottom-six.
Noel Acciari
Acciari was sent to the Toronto Maple Leafs as part of the three-team trade along with Ryan O’Reilly ahead of the trade deadline. The 31-year-old is a solid veteran center who plays with a bit of an edge.
Acciari recorded 23 points (14 goals, nine assists) last season and has won 50.1 percent of the face-offs he’s taken in this career. He blocked a total of 81 shots, the second-most in his career, and recorded a career-high 244 hits.
Acciari is a solid bottom-six forward and can slot into the penalty kill as well. If the Rangers decided to move on from Goodrow this offseason to clear cap space, perhaps Acciari can be an option to jump into his spot as the fourth line center.
Jesper Fast
Fast spent the first seven years of his NHL career with the Rangers.
“Quickie” did just about everything for this team and quickly became a fan favorite during his days at the Garden for his gritty and hard-working mentality.
He left in free agency following the 2020 season and signed on with the Carolina Hurricanes. Fast continued to shine there, producing 25+ points in each of the past two seasons.
Now an unrestricted free agent again, many Ranger fans are calling for a reunion with the winger, who is said to be seeking a three-year or four-year deal.
Drury should certainly consider it. Artemi Panarin thrived with Fast playing on his right wing during their time together, and his forechecking skills could bring a lot to this team.
Tyler Bertuzzi
Bertuzzi has been heavily linked to Boston, and they seem to have been clearing cap space for a reunion, but he could be an option for the Rangers if he decides to look elsewhere.
After spending the first six and a half years of his NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings, Bertuzzi was traded to the Bruins ahead of the trade deadline. He went on to record 16 points with the B’s and was a catalyst up and down their lineup.
Bertuzzi led them in the playoffs as well, scoring five times and adding five assists in the seven game series.
He’s dealt with injuries throughout his career, but when healthy, Bertuzzi is a legit scoring threat. He’s recorded 20+ goals and assists in each of the last three seasons he’s appeared in 50 or more games.
Bertuzzi won’t come cheap, and it’s likely a big long shot, but he could provide the Rangers with a strong top-six option who plays with a bit of an edge.
