2012 NHL Rumors: The Case Against Shane Doan

It's been a whirlwind the past few days for the New York Rangers. After finally landing Rick Nash in the summer's biggest blockbuster, the Rangers addressed both their power play and general offensive issues for next year. Many fans have been clamoring for the Rangers to add Shane Doan as well, in addition to the Nash move, but I would actually caution against this type of a move, unless it was a very, short term deal.

Here's the thing, the Rangers have their scoring pretty much set. Nash and Marian Gaborik (when he returns) are the primary goal scorers, with Brad Richards, Derek Stepan, Chris Kreider, Ryan Callahan and Carl Hagelin expected to do a bulk of the secondary scoring. That, and the added offensive bonus of Michael Del Zotto, Ryan McDonagh and the rest of the Rangers' defense.

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Can they use more scoring? Yes. Do they need more scoring badly enough that they need to lure Doan with more than two years? No. Next year the Rangers have four restricted free agents who are going to be looking for raises. Stepan, McDonagh, Hagelin and Michael Sauer. For now, let's factor Sauer out of that equation, since we still don't know how much of an impact he will have due to injuries.

So in 2013-2014 there are three big names the Rangers need to take care of. The year after that? Kreider is the only RFA, with Gaborik, Callahan, Dan Girardi and Henrik Lundqvist being the UFA's. Those players wouldn't be affected if Sather signed Doan to a two-year deal, but Stepan, McDonagh and Hagelin would.

This is the danger of floating Doan more then a two-year deal. The Rangers have tons of cap space right now -- over $13-million -- but we don't know how that's going to change when a new CBA is signed. Why take the risk?

I will admit that the Rangers can use some more depth, which is exactly why the Rangers should look into some cheaper options. Jason Arnott is an option I can see fitting in with the Rangers, and while he's older (37-years-old) he did score 17 goals last year. He might be a nice, cheap fit for the Rangers.

There are other options out there as well, a lot of players who might take a one-year deal to try and get their name on the Cup. There are options out there for the Rangers, options that aren't as expensive as Doan or as long-term if he wants a three or four year deal.

For now, we don't know what his intentions are but we probably will soon enough. And if the years and the price aren't right, then so be it.

There are other options out there.