NEW YORK, NEW PLAN
Previously, new players came to New York via free agency. Now they’ll come organically THE ‘FREE AGENTS
and forget it’ Rangers are dead. While New York can still rely on its Manhattan address to woo veterans, the team has started to stock the cupboards with draft picks, and the early returns are good. The 2018 draft looks even more promising, as GM Jeff Gorton has three first-rounders (thanks to the Rick Nash and Ryan McDonagh trades) and two second-rounders. If Tampa Bay wins the Cup this year or next, New York will get an extra first-rounder in 2019, too. IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Outside of Kevin Shattenkirk, Marc Staal and Brady Skjei, the Rangers’ blueline is short on sure things. There’s a cadre of youngsters and second-chancers who will get a shot, but next season could yield some chaotic results. The acquisitions of Libor Hajek, Ryan Lindgren and Yegor Rykov bring promise. LONG-TERM NEEDS: The Rangers are perhaps deepest in goaltenders when it comes to prospects, but which one will take King Henrik’s crown? While Lundqvist is still the marquee attraction on Broadway, the clock is ticking. An ironclad KHL contract will keep Igor Shesterkin on the other side of the world until 2019-20. And as good as he seems, he’ll need time to adjust. CAP SITUATION: Gorton has nearly $30 million to play with this summer and no prominent UFAs on the docket. There is work to do when it comes to RFAs, though none of it ominous. Skjei, Vlad Namestnikov, Jimmy Vesey and Kevin Hayes top the list, while newcomer Ryan Spooner will be an interesting negotiation. IN THE SYSTEM 2018-19: New York had two first-round picks in 2017 and both Lias Andersson (seventh overall) and Filip Chytil (21st) are knocking on the door. The 19-year-old centers have already made their NHL debuts and both possess two-way games, greatly increasing their chances. DID YOU KNOW: Not only have the Rangers taken prospects with NHL bloodlines (Ty Ronning, Adam Tambellini), but they’ve even hit the same family tree twice: free agent signing Vinni Lettieri and draft pick Tyler Nanne are both grandsons of Minnesota hockey legend Lou Nanne.