Chris Drury and the New York Rangers linked to a major trade which could save the season
Photo credit: NHL.com
The New York Rangers will have to look outside of the box, in order to save their 2024-2025 season. There's been big discussions of teams like the Ottawa Senators moving Brady Tkachuk, or the Vancouver Canucks moving J.T. Miller, but what if they couldn't land them? Where should they look?
While they could flip veteran forward Chris Kreider for a plethora of assets before we pull the trigger too soon, where else could we find depth scoring?
The New York Rangers could look to a trading partner they've dealt with before, the St. Louis Blues. The last time the two made a major deal, they sent Vladimir Tarasenko, and Nikko Mikkola for Hunter Skinner and Samuel Blais.
There have been rumors that GM Doug Armstrong of the Blues could put veteran Brandon Saad on the trade block.
If so, it could end up being a low-risk, high-reward buy for the Rangers.
Saad could bring veteran leadership and the experience of winning two Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Drives play well thanks to his skating ability, work ethic, size and hockey sense. He can be useful on the power play, where he finds his way to the front of the net and knows how to finish.
He is not much of a playmaker but does have a history of stepping up his game in the postseason--and has the rings to prove it.
He is not much of a playmaker but does have a history of stepping up his game in the postseason--and has the rings to prove it.
While this season he hasn't produced at a high clip, he can still provide depth scoring on a team, that has been offensively anemic.
Saad may be scoring on just 8.9 percent of his shots on goal this season, but he also hasn't seen a single year when he's recorded lower than a 15.0 shooting percentage since the 2018-19 season.
A change of scenery could be just what Saad could use, and his presence would create a spark in New York if he rediscovered his high-octane ways.
A change of scenery could be just what Saad could use, and his presence would create a spark in New York if he rediscovered his high-octane ways.
Saad could be a third option for the Rangers if GM Chris Drury can't wrestle, JT Miller or Brady Tkachuk from their respective teams.
In 30 games with the St. Louis Blues, he's only scored 10 points( 4 G, 6 A) and could benefit from a fresh start on Broadway.
He'll be a UFA in 2025-2026 with a cap hit $4.5 Million AAV, and could easily fit under the Rangers current cap situation at $8.7 Million.
But would GM Chris Drury be bold enough to ask for a discount on his cap hit? I know if I was someone wanting to save money on veteran talent, it may cost a draft pick, but getting the trading team to retain a percentage of salary is never a bad idea.
Especially if the deal can happen quicker, as a result.
If you were GM Chris Drury would you trade for veteran forward Brandon Saad?
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 27 | 2240 ANSWERS Chris Drury and the New York Rangers linked to a major trade which could save the season If you were GM Chris Drury of the New York Rangers would you trade for veteran forward Brandon Saad of the St. Louis Blues? | ||
| Yes | 648 | 28.9 % |
| No | 1592 | 71.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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