The 2017 Free Agency class does not include a bunch of super star players. Most of the players that played in their final contract year this year are most likely to be re-signed. However, that doesn’t mean there won’t be some good talent left on the table. The Rangers are coming off another season in which they made the playoffs but only to fall in the second round. They have $9 million in cap space to spend this July and they are not very thrifty when it comes to acquiring talent. Here are 3 prospects that might available that can help them in the 2017-2018 NHL Season.
- Jhonas Enroth: Goaltender, Anaheim Ducks
With the Las Vegas Expansion draft on June 21st, most likely backup goaltender Antii Raanta will be taken, leaving a big hole in goaltending department. This will lead the Ranger’s in search for a new backup to Lundqvist. Jhonas Enroth will most likely not be re-signed by the Ducks because Jonathan Bernier has won the backup goaltending job. Enroth spent a majority of the 2017 season in the AHL with the San Diego Gulls where he posted an impressive 14-4 record, a goals against average of 1.73 and save percentage of .936. The Rangers should offer Enroth a 2-year, $2 million a year contract because behind New York’s defense Enroth could flourish. With Lundqvist in his final years of his career, he could be a viable option down the road.
- Kevin Shattenkirk: Defenseman, Washington Capitals
Shattenkirk is one of the biggest names in this year’s free agency pool and knowing the Rangers, they will make a bid for him. The Rangers have a strong defensive core with Ryan McDonagh, Marc Staal and Kevin Klein. However, Dan Girardi had issues during the playoffs with making errant passes and turning over the puck. The Rangers should target Shattenkirk to have him pair up with McDonagh on the first line. Shattenkirk would bring a nice offensive touch to the Rangers blue line which is made up of defensive defensemen. Since Kevin Shattenkirk is one of the biggest names in free agency this year, he will probably land a lucrative deal somewhere around the 5-year, $25 million. Shattenkirk is only 28-years-old and in all probability would not want to sign a deal that would lock him up for life with one team. With this deal he will have another opportunity to win the Stanley Cup with another team if he doesn’t with the Rangers.
- Mika Zibanejad: Center, New York Rangers
Zibanejad was acquired last July by the Rangers and was a nice addition to the team this past season. He was a player that kept growing and developing and had another great season recording 37 points in 56 games with the Blue Shirts. He was also a big help for the Rangers in the playoffs where he scored two goals and seven assists in twelve games. Next season the Rangers will expect more out of him to help positively impact Jimmy Vesey’s and Rich Nash’s point production on the second line. If the Rangers sign Enroth and Shattenkirk they will be restricted by the cap budget and be forced to deal with Zibanejad; he could get to a 1-year, $2 million contract.
