Do the Rangers Need High-Priced Free Agents?

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Forget about if they even can. Let's worry about whether they should first.

The topic up for debate is whether it is necessary for the New York Rangers to move money around to make a run at some of the high talent, high-priced free agents available this offseason. Instead of looking at the talent available, should Glen Sather focus solely on re-signing the "core" of his organization from this season and for seasons ahead?

Over the last two offseasons, the Rangers GM has signed "stars" Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, and Wade Redden. Everyone knows what has happened, and everyone knows the rumors that perhaps one of, if not all three, will not be with the Rangers when training camp opens in September.

So, should Sather once again put faith—and a huge contract—into a big-name free agent? Well, let's talk about the list that is out right now, and keep in mind this is before teams have the chance to re-sign their own free agents. Also, let's discuss who the Rangers have first crack at: their own free agents.

If Gomez and Drury were to stay, and Sather re-signs Brandon Dubinsky and/or Blair Betts, then the Rangers won't have any money to invest in centers, as Artem Anisimov is also ready to become a regular player in the NHL.

On right wing, besides Gaborik, the list is headlined by Marian Hossa and Martin Havlat. There is the same issue with Havlat as with Gaborik in that they are injury-prone. Havlat, when healthy, is one of the best players in the game. However, would you risk putting a lot of money into a player like Havlat?

With Hossa, there are a couple of problems. One is that he is going to want a lot of money that the Rangers might not be able to give him. Two, is that Detroit will definitely want to bring him back, and if Detroit wins the cup this year, can you blame Hossa for wanting to return? 

The move that might make sense for the Rangers is—if they are keeping Gomez—to sign Brian Gionta. After a decent season for Gionta, the Rangers can get him at a lower price than players like Gaborik and Hossa, and maybe see if putting Gomez and Gionta will give the two players close to the career numbers that they put up in 2005-06.

However, with an emphasis on size, the best free-agent fit on right wing could be a player that the Rangers had this past year: Nik Antropov. He can score goals, provides the size that the Rangers need, and is still only 29 years old.

Also, it is obvious that the Rangers need Ryan Callahan back in their lineup next year, and it is also obvious that Callahan will get more than the $600,000 he was making last season.

In my opinion, the Rangers need something, but not a high-risk player with an even riskier contract. If one of these players wants to come to the Rangers at a lower price contract for one year and prove that they can play well and stay healthy for a whole year, then by all means. 

Still, the Rangers need to worry about guys who were in their organization last year, such as Callahan and Antropov, before going into the open market hoping to throw cash out to big name players along with many other teams.

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