Nyr bleacher report

Jordan Binnington frantically craned his neck and shifted from right to left, looking like a young boy trying to get a better view of a parade.

It's no surprise that the New York Rangers are a presence in trade discussions. The team is atop the Metropolitan Division and could be primed for a run at the Stanley Cup. But amid the usual discussion of trading prospects and draft picks, the name of fifth-year winger Kaapo Kakko is a surprising emergence. Let's get this out of the way. Kakko was drafted second overall by the Rangers in and has not lived up to expectations.

Nyr bleacher report

The New York Rangers have only won just 10 of their past 20 games. What was once a titanic lead in the Metropolitan Division has shrunk to just three points, with the Carolina Hurricanes on their heels. Many factors have contributed to their slump. Igor Shesterkin hasn't played up to his usual standard. Multiple injuries have taken away the team's depth. The team, despite generating many scoring chances, has struggled to convert. Those are mostly temporary issues that should course-correct with time. Less certain is the team's fate at the center. Filip Chytil, out since early November with a concussion, has no timetable for his return. The Rangers have utilized Nick Bonino and Barclay Goodrow at center on the third and fourth lines, respectively. Though they both kill penalties well, the two heavily feature in the team's struggles to carry play at five-on-five. The duo has scored just one goal each, and the opposition has way too much control of play when their lines are on the ice. Regardless of Chytil's status, the Rangers would be better off with an upgrade at the center position. If the young Czech is in serious jeopardy of missing the rest of the season, then the need for another center moves to a desperate level. Lindholm, 29, will be an unrestricted free agent in July.

Among possible available players? While that doesn't show in Kakko's point totals, the impact on the Rangers is obvious: They're outscoring other teams this season when playing five-on-five. Other centers available may offer superior two-way play, but depending on how the market shakes out, Monahan would still be a massive improvement over the Rangers' current options, nyr bleacher report.

Rangers rookie penalized for elbowing Devils' Jonas Siegenthaler on Monday. Vince Z. Mercogliano vzmercogliano. Rangers ripped by rival Lightning in potential playoff preview. Jack Roslovic Finds the Net. Braden Schneider Scores. Zac Jones paying back Peter Laviolette's Rangers loyalty.

After a surprisingly strong regular season, New York put together a magical postseason run to find itself in the Eastern Conference Final against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning. The Rangers then took a lead and it looked like the magic would continue, but it looks like they've ran out of luck. The Rangers held a lead in the second period before the Lightning tied it in the same frame. Tampa Bay winger Ondrej Palat scored with remaining in the third period to give his team the lead for good. Brandon Hagel capped the scoring less than a minute later with an empty-netter. New York was never expected to reach this point in the playoffs in the first place, and the team's inexperience has become glaring. After the game, fans online couldn't help but point out the predictability of the Rangers' collapse, with some believing it always was just a matter of time. Taking Lighting to win the series when they went down was free juice.

Nyr bleacher report

They are also in need of one or two pieces at this point to help solidify their status among the elite. With the trade deadline approaching on March 8, and needs at center, expect the Rangers to be active. Which players should they target, though, and which potential addition carries a cap hit too steep? It remains to be seen if the Seattle Kraken will trade center Alex Wennberg but if they do, the Rangers would be a perfect fit for the year-old. New York is likely to look for center and wing help at the deadline, both being areas of need.

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Meanwhile, Buchnevich has turned into a bonafide star. The expensive Tarasenko and Kane's investments, meanwhile, led to splashy headlines and a humiliating first-round exit. Uber demands NY Rangers turn over stats, injury info after player hurt in car crash. The Rangers indeed have serious Stanley Cup ambitions. Watch: Blues coach keeps cool as son goes crazy on scoreboard. Put aside all preconceptions of Kakko as a former top prospect. Arkansas' disappointing season ends with loss to South Carolina. Evgeny Kuznetsov clears waivers, now highest-paid player in AHL history. Carolina Hurricanes top Goalie Saves. The Rangers needed an even-strength needle-mover. Moving past that, Kakko is still an impactful player. Rangers look to complete season sweep of Lightning The New York Rangers are coming off a huge win over the second-place Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday to expand their Metro Division lead to six points. Now on a one-year deal in Ottawa, Tarasenko has scored 12 goals and 19 assists in 41 games.

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Until and unless the market offers up a player who represents a meaningful upgrade, it makes the most sense for the Rangers to punt any decisions on the right winger until the summer. Maybe that's the point. CAR: Full Highlights. The trio erased a Rangers first period lead, followed by a third period advantage and took over the back half of the game with four unanswered goals. He's since found himself in Sharks' head coach David Quinn's doghouse and has just two goals in 32 games this season. Jack Roslovic Finds the Net. It's not the most exhilarating trade idea, but his stock is at an all-time low and he could probably be had for a later draft pick. Rangers fans have internalized that a team's chances of winning are correlated to how aggressive they are at the deadline. Bobblehead theft thwarts Penguins' Jaromir Jagr celebration. Artemi Panarin Finds the Net. If the Rangers want to upgrade at right wing, they'll rent a Tarasenko or Anthony Duclair at a reasonable cost. Wennberg totaled just 37 and 38 points, respectively, in his first two seasons and is on pace for 13 goals and 21 assists this season despite leading all Seattle forwards in ice time. Rangers rookie penalized for elbowing Devils' Jonas Siegenthaler on Monday. Always free! If Chytil is indeed out for the season, then Lindholm would be the best replacement available.