The New York Rangers could reunite with former trade deadline acquisition Vladimir Tarasenko to bolster its right-wing depth.
The New York Rangers could reunite with former trade deadline acquisition Vladimir Tarasenko to bolster its right-wing depth.
With Alexis Lafreniere playing well on his off-wing with Vincent Trocheck and Artemi Panarin, Kaapo Kakko, and Blake Wheeler have interchanged roles on the first and third lines for nearly 50 games this season.
The Rangers need an effective right winger and a third-line center. Tarasenko is a name that the club can reconsider, as it did not have the capital to sign the 31-year-old flank in the summer.
Rangers' general manager Chris Drury would have to maneuver capital again to fit Tarasenko's $5 million salary under the cap ceiling. The Rangers will have approximately $5.2 million in cap space to work with Chytil's LTIR reduction.
The Senators would have to retain a third of the contract to make it the move optimal for the Rangers, as the club may need more than just one asset before the deadline.
With the Senators still building toward the future, it would also demand future assets for an unrestricted free agent come July 1.
Tarasenko currently has 32 points (13 goals, 19 assists) in 43 games this season. Last season as a Ranger, he posted 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) in 31 regular season games, and four points (three goals, one assist) in seven games.
The Russian native has a lethal release that is considered one of the best in the league.
He played a better all-around game than Patrick Kane in New York. He also played with an edge and was unafraid to get into the corners to make plays for Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, and Mika Zibanejad.
Ottawa Senators president of hockey operations and general manager Steve Staios told reporters, "With where we are in the standings, [Tarasenko] becoming a free agent, it's certainly something we'll have to look at."
Reports state that Staios has not talked with Tarasenko's camp yet about his future with the Senators.
Ottawa is currently 19-25-3, a team hoping to advance in their rebuild and qualify for the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Senators have a five percent chance to make the playoffs this season (H/t Money Puck).