Introducing 'My Trade Proposals Suck': Priming the Rangers Trade Pump
What do the Rangers have? What do the Rangers need? What should the Rangers do?
Ooooohhhhh baby!
No, I'm not John Davidson either, but I am excited to be writing for Blueshirt Banter.
There are a few things to consider before we get started:
- This series is called My Trade Proposals Suck (MTPS). This is just the way it goes. We're fans, we don't have enough access to inside information to know that this team is interested in this or that player or this or that team is willing to move that player. So, have fun with them.
- Trades have to be at least somewhat based in reality. You'll never read something from me suggesting a Jonny Brodzinski-for-Auston Matthews deal.
- Trades have to fit the silly, no good, very bad salary cap.
First, let's set the stage here of what Chris Drury and friends should be doing at this deadline. At every deadline there are four categories of teams:
- Buyer: These are the teams that are all-in on the current season. They are willing to invest whatever future assets it takes to win the Cup this year.
- Conservative Buyer: They’re usually teams that have a slightly larger window of contention, and are looking to take advantage of situations that present themselves but have assets that they won’t move. The players they’re looking to add are either low-cost rentals or controllable players.
- Conservative Sellers: The season hasn’t gone as well as these front offices had hoped. They’re willing to trade off rental players, but want to be back in contention next season. They’re not looking to rebuild.
- Sellers: Make an offer because everyone is available for the right price. They’re looking at possibly tearing it down and starting over from scratch.
So, where do the Rangers fit? Even if they hadn’t just added J.T. Miller and extended Igor Shesterkin, the Rangers were never going to be a full-on seller. It’s just not in their nature. At the same time, they’re not buyers this year either. I think right now Drury is leaning more conservative seller, but based on reporting, that could depend on how they played coming out of the 4 Nations break. But based on the two games they've played so far, I don't see any reason to move them out of that category.
