Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brian Boyle is one of two puzzle pieces Jeff Gorton and the New York Rangers need to target at the deadline.
There’s no reason to beat around the bush: the New York Rangers would seriously benefit from adding a physical defenseman and a “playoff guy” for the fourth line.The Blueshirts boast an undeniably stout group of forward talent with a rare combination of speed, skill, and grit. However, I’m confident that even a first-time hockey viewer would be able to break down the team’s biggest problem within a few minutes of puck drop. The problem that could legitimately deny the King and his club another shot at a deep Stanley Cup run come springtime if left unaddressed: a lack of physicality.
The current defensive corps has been better of late. Am I condoning a total philosophical shift back to the stylistic dark days of John Tortorella, when players regularly sacrificed their bodies as Henrik Lundvist’s personal puck-seeking shields? Absolutely not. This team is built on Alain Vigneault’s up-tempo, high-flying offensive system that usually passes the eye test and results in two points at the end of the game.
What is clear, though, is that this Rangers team is not all that far away from putting themselves on par with the NHL’s elite.
Imperatively, now is the time for Jeff Gorton to get serious about the team’s positioning and aspirations for this season in particular, as the NHL’s Mar. 1 trade deadline is less than a week away. This is especially true in a stacked Metropolitan division, populated by the perennial contender Washington Capitals, the reigning champion Pittsburgh Penguins, as well as the ferocious upstart Columbus Blue Jackets.
While there are a variety of directions Gorton can ponder, if he wants to take full advantage of another team excelling in the regular season, he needs to actively be looking for a little toughness. The glaring hole in the current six-man backend rotation is a physical, crease-clearing d-man who can skate too. Ideally, the Rangers should target a guy who can move opposing forwards away from the area directly in front of Lundqvist and also chip in with timely offense.
As currently constructed, this defense has allowed players such as Jamie Benn and John Tavares to show off their best WWE impersonations, muscling and bullying their way to the front of the net. This simply will not suffice for twenty-plus minutes a night during a best-of-seven series in the second season. While Adam Clendening has played decent hockey this year and has some offensive potential, AV has showed a hesitation to give him consistent time, and he is not the physical presence the Rangers should be after.
Further, even assuming Buchnevich, Lindberg, and Fast all see ice time in a potential Rangers playoff run, the two forward options the team has right now for injury cover are Brandon Pirri and Matt Puempel. While each of them offers some offensive potential, would you be happy inserting either right into a fourth-line battle against the Caps or the Pens? A familiar face is the best man to solve this fourth-line struggle.
The following are two options the Blueshirts should strongly consider before all external routes disappear next week. Note that these two would cost the Rangers next to nothing. Jeff Gorton should still put forth his due diligence and call in on Jacob Trouba and Kevin Shattenkirk, but these moves would not jeopardize the future of the team, and still propel the Rangers chances for this season.
NEXT: Realistic and Affordable Defensive Help
Realistic and Affordable D help: Cody Franson, Buffalo Sabres
The Rangers need to balance out the right side of their defense with a righty d-man, and Cody Franson seriously fits the bill. The 6-foot-5, 224-pound Franson is not flashy and is not a big name, but he could fill the huge void Rangers fans feel with nearly every power-play and likely wouldn’t force Gorton to give up anything meaningful.
“Shoot the puck!” rains down from every corner of the Garden when the Rangers go up a man, and Franson boasts a rocket of a shot.
However, while he only has three goals and 13 assists in 53 games played this year, bringing him in is more about his play in his own zone than anything else. Franson would finally give the Rangers that imposing, physical presence they’ve yearned for. At the very least, he would provide solid cover on a weak right side behind Kevin Klein and Dan Girardi for a stretch run or physical playoff series. Plus he’s the only one of those three players with a positive CF% on the season (50.4), as he’s provided a positive force for the pesky Buffalo Sabres.
He’d not only serve as protection for our (let’s face it) pretty soft lineup, but also play on the most talented team he’s ever been a part of. Franson is owed $3.325 million and is an unrestricted free agent following the 2016-17 season. The Rangers currently have about $2.347 million in salary cap space, so a deal comprised of the out-of-favor Brandon Pirri ($1.1 MM cap hit, restricted free agent after this season) packaged with a late pick could get this deal done.
Franson represents a no-risk, high-reward proposition if he can fill the void for a physical d-man with size we’ve had since Paul Mara left the club. My money says Franson can raise his game and who knows, maybe even hit somebody.
NEXT: The Triumphant Return of the 4th-Line Center
A Triumphant Return to Gotham: Brian Boyle, Tampa Bay Lightning
Boyler. The Stache. BB. O’Boyle.
Call him whatever you want, but Brian Boyle is the definition of the heart-and-soul grinder every serious cup contender requires. Ranger fans are no strangers to “the Boyler-maker,” as he spent the better part of five seasons in NYC and took part in some very long Ranger playoff runs. Boyle knows his role and he plays it well, especially come April. He is a no-nonsense, imposing fore-checker who tracks back and covers his man in the defensive zone as well. Boyler has potted 13 goals in 53 games this season, a good reminder to Blueshirts fans of the guy who’s netted nine times in the playoffs while wearing red, white, and blue.
Boyle has played in exactly 100 career playoff games (83 with NYR) and would fit in extremely well on a dangerous fourth-line with Fast and Lindberg. He has the experience and the playoff-pedigree to step up in big moments and is also a fantastic locker room presence who seems to step up his game when the spotlight shines the brightest. Moreover, he could potentially even get in front of an opposing goalie (wouldn’t that be crazy?!) with his 6-foot-6, 244-pound frame and be an option on the power play.
Boyle’s contract expires at the end of this year and is a modest cap hit of $2 million, meaning the Lightning will almost certainly move him for whatever they can get if they don’t believe he’ll re-sign. The Rangers could acquire his salary without having to shed any of their own, and while a mini-bidding war is a possibility, moving a mid-round pick would likely be enough to get this deal done.
Honorable Mention:
Kyle Quincy, New Jersey Devils:
He’s a cheap, expiring contract ($1.25 million) who offers a steady defensive presence, but the crosstown rivals won’t exactly be eager to ship him across the Hudson.