The Rangers are in the market for a low-cost, wing-depth option. The top trade target for the club to pursue is Anthony Duclair, the now 28-year-old forward who was drafted by the New York Rangers in 2013.
The New York Rangers face off against the San Jose Sharks and Anthony Duclair tonight.
It will be the last opportunity the club has to see Duclair perform in person before this year's trade deadline on Mar. 8.
The Rangers are in the market for a low-cost, wing-depth option. There may not be a better target for the club to pursue.
The 28-year-old forward was drafted by the organization in the third round of the 2013 draft and skated in 18 contests with the club in 2014-2015. He was traded to the Arizona Coyotes for Keith Yandle.
Duclair has bounced around and had to find his way at the NHL level, his game taking off in 2019-2020 as an Ottawa Senator.
Spending the last three seasons as a Florida Panther, "The Duke" helped the club win the President's Trophy in 2022 (31 goals, 27 assists, 58 points in 74 games) and earn a Stanley Cup Final berth in 2023 (four goals, seven assists, 11 points in 20 games).
Duclair has recorded 16 points (eight goals, eight assists) in 42 games this season, averaging 15: 19 TOI on a Sharks team that has a -92 goal differential and is currently eighth in the Pacific Division.
He scored this goal on Dec. 3 at Madison Square Garden against the Rangers.
A factor in his sales pitch is his production. Sixteen points don't floor a team looking to add. Context is key, as Duclair is on a roster that was built to fail.
His time in Florida is the package a cup-contending team is interested in. In terms of production, the spring of 2023 is where to look to see Duclair in a winning culture.
Tonight, it is about seeing what makes Duclair a desirable and realistic deadline addition for the Rangers.
The Point-Claire, Quebec native has tremendous tempo, recording a 23.32 MPH top-end skating speed. That is in the 96th percentile of the NHL this season (NHL Edge).
Speed in transition and depth scoring has been problematic for a New York team with Stanley Cup dreams through 44 games.
Duclair can help the team in both areas. His resume shows he can supplement top scorers in the post-season. The speedometer says he is one of the fastest players in the league.
It would make sense to inquire about a player on a non-contending squad that would cost the team $3 million or less to squeeze onto the roster.
The cap aspect is of intrigue as well. as the Rangers currently have $112,185 in salary cap space to maneuver. That is before they cut any bait.
Keep your eyes peeled tonight on No.10 in teal. It will be your measuring stick of judgment when the rumors start swirling.