3 free-agency needs for the Rangers, and players who could fit those needs
The Montreal Canadiens' Patrik Laine scores against Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick during overtime of an NHL game action in Montreal on Jan. 19, 2025. Credit: The Canadian Press via AP/Graham Hughes
Here are three needs for the Rangers in free agency, which begins on Wednesday.
1. Another scorer
Trading for Pavel Dorofeyev on Friday delivered the big goal-getter they desperately needed, but they still could use another finisher in their top six. Anthony Mantha, 31, is 6-5, 240, and coming off a career-best 33 goals for Pittsburgh last season. Patrik Laine missed all but five games with Montreal after core surgery but has 224 goals in 537 career games and might be worth taking a flyer on. His .417 goals per game is a slightly better rate than Dorofeyev (.398) and far better than anyone else on the Rangers’ roster. He’s 28 and likely would come on a short-term, incentive-laden, prove-it contract. So, low risk.
2. Backup goalie
Jonathan Quick’s retirement leaves a void behind Igor Shesterkin. While the Rangers re-signed restricted free agent Dylan Garand last week after a strong finish to his season, the backup job won’t simply be handed to him. Bringing in an experienced veteran such as Cam Talbot, 39 — a pending unrestricted free agent and former Ranger — to compete with Garand in training camp makes a lot of sense.
3. Fourth-line center
Lars Eller, 37, the longtime Washington Capital who’s now bouncing around the league, would be a great fit. He had five goals and 10 assists, won 54% of his faceoffs and was a plus-5 in 68 games for Ottawa last season.
Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
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