I am trying something different. I have written two open letters to New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury regarding the upcoming NHL Trade Deadline on Friday, March 8th.
In part two, which is written below, I tell Chris Drury to make a move or two to get this team ready for the Stanley Cup playoffs. I try to convince him to maybe move the likes of Kaapo Kakko, Barclay Goodrow, or even K’Andre Miller to help get some help from their bottom six group of forwards.
Does the letter below mean I feel this way? No.
I just wanted to try something different for you folks. I hope you enjoy my last open letter to Drury!
Mr Drury,
Good morning. With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, I wanted to reach out to you to give you my thoughts and suggestions.
While your team is hanging on to first place in the Metropolitan Division, third place in the Eastern Conference, and eighth in the league, it is apparent that you need to make some moves. This is especially the case, considering how poorly the team played in January.
There is no doubt that both the media and your own will be all over you if you do not at least try to make your team better going into this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs. Yes, we are aware that the moves you made before last year’s deadline did not work out the way you wanted them to, but maybe it will be different this time around.
One area that needs a lot of improvement is your bottom six group of forwards. Right now, your team relies too much on their top two lines and their power play to do all the scoring.
Having that kind of mentality will not work come playoff time. Your team’s performance in last year’s first-round loss to the New Jersey Devils is a prime example of that.
Here are some players that are worth looking at to upgrade that area:
Frank Vatrano (Anaheim Ducks): You remember Frank, right? You acquired him at the 2022 deadline, and he ended up being a great fit as he had 13 points in 22 regular season games and then added 13 points in 20 playoff games. He has also been great this season as he currently has 36 points on 22 goals and 14 assists and was selected to play in the 2024 NHL All-Star Game in Toronto.
Adam Henrique (Anaheim Ducks): He may have hurt the Rangers when he scored the series-winning overtime goal for the New Jersey Devils in Game 5 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals, but it would be wise to consider adding him to your roster. He brings a veteran presence and would be a major upgrade over someone like Barclay Goodrow, as Henrique can provide offense.
Mats Zuccarello (Minnesota Wild): This may be a long shot, but I can guarantee that the fans will love you if you find a way to bring Zuccarello back. He was a proven performer for many seasons with the Blueshirts, and he knows how to take his game to another level come playoff time.
To acquire one of these players, you should consider moving Kaapo Kakko. It has been three and a half seasons of not becoming the player the team drafted back in 2019, and he should have already taken a step forward, something that Alexis Lafreniere has done this season.
Another player you could consider trading is defenseman K’Andre Miller. Miller has not looked like himself this season and he has proven to be somewhat of a defensive liability this season. This could simply be a one-off for Miller, but you never know.
One player that you should try to offload is Goodrow. I know that is not going to be easy to do, considering his contract, but he has not provided anything of value on the ice this season.
These are just suggestions, Mr. Drury. Do with them what you will!
Sincerely,
Patrick Hoffman
NY Paingers – Ranting Rangers: A New York Rangers Podcast
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Concerned Rangers fan here.
Do not stay the course. This course has proven time and time again to fail. The core of the team needs to change. But unfortunately can’t because of all the absolutely ridiculous no movement clauses in place.
Chris Kreider – is a big guy, with a good set of wheels. Does he use them? No. He parks in front of the net and hopes for a deflection. Is he one of the best in the league at it? Sure, but is that all we expect from him? Shouldn’t be. He should be out there winning battles on the boards, throwing his size around and using his speed on the breakout to create odd man rushes, Rangers need help with 5 on 5 scoring this would help, yet it doesn’t happen. It’s lazy hockey.
Mika Zibanejad – I love Mika but Mika needs to start shooting more. He’s probably up there with one of the best shots in the league, one timers for sure. Yet most of the time we see a pass attempt that more often than not turns into a give away, instead of ripping a shit, maybe scoring, maybe getting a nice chance off a rebound, or maybe a goalie coverup and an offensive zone face off. Again, we need help on 5v5 scoring. He’s got a good set of hands and good eyes for the offensive game, I expect smarter play from him.
Blake Wheeler – Well, Blake was great for the Jets and maybe still is a good locker room guy, but Blake needs to be replaced. He gets out skated, out battled, all the time. Needs to be replaced.
Kappo Kakko – Sure he still has a chance to be a good player, is going to be everything he was hoped to be? I don’t think so. Moving Kappo for another younger player might be good for the rangers and good for Kappo.
K’Andre Miller – Well again I like K’Andre and had high hopes for him, good size and speed. But boy oh boy he’s a defensive liability. I think we try K’Andre on a wing position where he can use his size and speed and have less defensive responsibility and find a more solid defensive minded defenceman. If this was to work out it fills a spot on wing and beefs up defense. Lord knows Igor needs it.
Will Cullye – If half our team played with the heart and grit this kid does we would be a lot better off, nothing bad to say here, lets give this kid more minutes please. He deserves it.
Barclay Goodrow – Is being paid too much for what the team is getting in return. Easily replaceable and should be replaced.
Artemi Panarin – having a great season, very happy to see him shooting more, Mika needs to follow suit. My only hope with Artemi is that he doesn’t disappear in the playoffs again.
We don’t need more 30 year old plus players that are past their prime (Henrique for example) We need more youth, drive, grit, and heart, that’s what this team is truly lacking in.
I think staying the course is the wrong choice. Things need to be shaken up, problem is that we can’t shake up the pieces that need to be most.
I agree 100%,Kreider is lazy and has been that way for years, Kappo is a 2nd round pick, all i see is an expensive Jesper Fast.We need more Cuylle and more like him! We need more like Vinnie, less like Miller,I Had visions of him being dominant, but he doesn’t hit, he can’t clear the net and he hardly joins the rush! Good bye Goodrow!!