The New York Rangers made right call by putting their union with Kevin Shattenkirk on hold
Feb 2, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (22) handles the puck during the second period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports

Rumors, rumors, and more rumors for the New York Rangers as the offseason heats up and free agency is now only three days away. 

The rumors swirling the New York Rangers are alive and well as the offseason continues. With free agency looming, there are many names the fans continue to hear.

Obviously, the biggest is Kevin Shattenkirk.

Speculation is swirling around this potential marriage as its widely known Shattenkirk wants to play for the Rangers and the Rangers are in dire need for his services. However, the Rangers brass may be unwilling to dole out a long term high salary contract to a player that’s almost 30. Only time will tell on this one, and I won’t believe it until it’s officially announced.

Other names that have been linked to the Rangers include veterans Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau, formerly of the San Jose Sharks. Both would bring veteran leadership and strong voices to the young locker room. However it appears at least Thornton is looking for a three-year deal, and I would say that’s something the Rangers should be wary of. Marleau is coming off a more resurgent 27 goal season last year. He’s played the majority of his career on the wing, though.

Another centerman linked to the Rangers is Penguins center Nick Bonino. Bonino was a part of the famous “HBK” line in Pittsburgh with Carl Hagelin and Phil Kessel. The trio formed a dynamite line and sparked the Pens to the Cup in 2016. Bonino would fill more of a third line role given the current roster. My feeling is he will be overpaid but he is a valuable player who can score, kill penalties, check top opponents lines, and block shots.

In other news, the Rangers Prospect Development Camp continued on, with yesterday being the first scrimmage. Rangers’ first-rounder Filip Chytil scored twice, and also had a hand in setting up linemate Ty Ronning for Team White, who won the scrimmage 4-1. Lias Andersson scored the lone goal for Team Blue.

The prospects were also treated to a tour of Madison Square Garden and dinner in Manhattan. Scrimmages will continue today at the Rangers training facility.

NHL.com’s Dan Rosen was in attendance yesterday at the Rangers prospect development camp. It appears the feeling around the organization is that prospects Sean Day and Neal Pionk are on the verge of really challenging for roster spots.

Pionk plays a similar style to that of Kevin Shattenkirk in which he is an undersized puck moving right-handed defenseman who was almost a point per game at the elite Division I college level.

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Day was the Rangers third round pick in ’15 and has massive upside despite falling to the third round. Let us not forget the KHL free agent signing Alexei Bereglazov, a lefty defenseman who would bring a nice blend of size and mobility to the top six and also played a ton on the right side overseas.

Other Rangers News, Stories:

  • For more on Sean Day, check out my scouting report on him here.
  • For details on Brendan Smith re-signing, check out Frank Curto’s article here.
  • For some news and notes on the current situation at the center position, check out Larry Brooks’ article in the NY Post here.

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Neal Purcell
Neal Purcell has a tremendous passion for New York Rangers hockey and the sport of hockey in general. A graduate of SUNY Cortland in Upstate NY, Purcell coaches both a high school hockey team and a travel team in the winter. Purcell is also a part of a small family business in the Central New York Region.

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