Expect to hear plenty of big names floated in trade discussions as the days tick closer to the June 22-23 NHL Draft. This time of year always provides plenty of intrigue. There's always the chance that a power-shifting megadeal goes down, and there will often be leaks of similarly large proposed deals that nearly reached fruition.
The most prominent Ranger whose name has cropped up in the rumor mill is 26-year-old forward Kevin Hayes. Last season, Hayes made the transition to defensive shutdown center while recording a career-best 25 goals. The Rangers currently possess eight centers: Mika Zibanejad, Hayes, Lias Andersson, Filip Chytil, Ryan Spooner, Vladislav Namestnikov, Boo Nieves and Brett Howden are vying for the opportunity to be new head coach David Quinn's four regular centers. Additionally, journeyman center Peter Holland has one year remaining on his contract.
There's a high chance that the Rangers move multiple centers at the draft to alleviate their logjam at the position – though Spooner, Namestnikov, Chytil and Andersson can also line up on the wing.
Quinn has often spoke about building his team around defense. The 2018 version of Hayes has made a great leap toward being an asset on the penalty kill and in defensive zone starts. His transformation is reminiscent of former Ranger Derek Stepan's development into a complete, two-way center.
Hayes, Spooner and Namestnikov are impending restricted free agents. Individually, Namestnikov and Spooner would fetch less of a return than Hayes, who is the most sought after of the trio.
Spooner caught fire after being acquired from the Boston Bruins, notching 16 points in his initial 20 games as a Ranger. His late-season surge means that rival scouts who watched Spooner in the closing months of the season witnessed him at his very best. Recency bias can cause general managers to overpay and trading Spooner could be a sell high proposition. The 26-year-old performed at 0.80 points per game after joining the Blueshirts.
On the other hand, Namestnikov's market value may have dipped after the 25-year-old center managed four points in his first 19 games as a Ranger. Overall, he recorded 48 points in 81 games in combined duty with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Rangers last season. His 0.59 points per game last season was the highest of his five-year career.
Any GM interested in Namestnikov at the 2018 trade deadline likely won't be scared off by a small-sample production decline on a rebuilding Rangers team. If Jeff Gorton were to deal away one or more of Hayes, Namestnikov and Spooner, the return would be centered around improving draft positioning. The Rangers currently own seven picks in the first three rounds including the no. 9, 26 and 28 overall picks.
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When I heard Quinn describe his desire for the Rangers to play in-your-face and win the puck back as soon as they lose it, the immediate thought that sprung in my mind was: There's no way that Mats Zuccarello will be traded.
Any first-year coach must establish a clear team identity. Zuccarello possesses all the hard-working, team-first traits that Quinn wants his Rangers team to follow. Whether or not his efforts are rewarded with a captain's 'C' remains to be seen – but Zuccarello's tenacity, ability to play larger than his size and the way he goes full gusto for 50-50 pucks sets a tone for teammates to follow.
In many ways, Henrik Lundqvist is this franchise's captain with a 'C.' League rules prevent goaltenders from serving as captains and alternate captains. While Lundqvist is the main voice in the dressing room, lead-by-example captains like Ryan Callahan and Ryan McDonagh and de facto captains Brad Richards and Martin St. Louis inspired all-in commitment from teammates. Zuccarello meets the criteria as an inspirational personality that can galvanize a dressing room and simply commands respect through his relentless style of play.
Despite my gut feeling that Zuccarello will remain a Ranger, few players in this league are untouchable. The Ottawa Senators would trade all-world defenseman Erik Karlsson for the right package. If there's a too-good-to-turn-down proposal that comes Gorton's way, no fan would fault him for parting with Zuccarello.
The playmaking Norwegian wing will turn 31 on Sept. 1, and is entering his final contract year. GMs around the league are aware that the cost to acquire Zuccarello would be steeper now compared to a 2019 trade deadline rental. The latter scenario would only exist if the Blueshirts are out of the playoff hunt and view Zuccarello as non-essential.
It seems that the likely course for the Rangers is to bring back Zuccarello this season an elder statesman on a team that has embraced a youthful rebuild. The likes of Zuccarello, Chris Kreider and Jesper Fast could form a new leadership group with Marc Staal remaining as a longtime alternate captain as he was in previous leadership cores. All four could be candidates to be named captain as the roster currently stands.
Following this weekend's draft, the makeup of the Rangers' roster will be altered to some degree. There will be an influx of youth that could aid Gorton's long-term plan of reestablishing the Blueshirts as a contender – but the real intrigue revolves around which familiar faces could be shipped out. Whether Hayes, Spooner and Namestnikov continue to call The Garden home hinges on how willing a rival GM is to strike a deal.
Follow Sean on Twitter -- @HartnettHockey
