The Perfect Mate: 5 Candidates to Play with Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik

A 40 goal sniper? Check.

Top line, playmaking center? Check.

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past week, you'll now know that the New York Rangers have snagged Brad Richards from the frenzy that is free agency.

He'll immediately have a role on the team's top line, playing with past marquee signing Marian Gaborik giving the Blueshirts a potentially wonderful 1-2 combo.

However every line consists of three players and while Richards and Gaborik have their places on the Rangers' top line secured, there is a rather large gap at LW.

After giving it some thought, here are five candidates who may become Brad and Gabby's linemate during the upcoming season.

Wojtek Wolski

Wojtek Wolski is currently the favourite to join the Blueshirts' top line.

The native of Poland was traded to the Rangers in January this year for defenseman Michael Rosival with the idea that he'd give New York some depth on the wing and some secondary scoring.

Unfortuantely, he's not yet found the scoring touch he had when he was in Colorado, (47 points in 62 games). But as a natural left winger he's expected to at least get a shot playing with Richards and Gaborik.

Whilst Wolski has been a disappointment during his time on Broadway, he can score goals and set-up his linemates, as we've seen with his previous clubs, he could easily return to top form alongside Brad and Gabby.

The fact is, the Rangers are short on left wingers, so with Wolski's natural position being LW, look for the Rangers to use his natural ability to fill the top line hole.  

Mats Zuccarello Aasen

A Norwegian import from the Swedish Elitserien, Mats Zuccarello has yet to really find his niche in the NHL.

He's played multiple positions and on multiple lines throughout his time in the NHL but, as expected with most rookies and international players, he's had plenty of ups and downs.

Only 5' 7", Mats is a tiny winger who has the speed to skate past defenders and has wicked accuracy on his zinger of a snapshot.

Although he is typically a RW, he shoots with his left hand so the transition to play on the left shouldn't be too difficult.

Plus he'd be a great compliment to his linemates, as Richards and Gaborik would take up much of the opposition defender's thoughts, leaving Zuccarello to skate around freely and be in optimal position to put away chances.

Ryan Callahan

While it seems unlikely that Coach Torts will break up the Callahan-Dubinsky-Anisimov line or even that Cally won't re-sign next year, this is something to consider.

Ryan Callahan endeared himself to hundreds of Rangers' fans last year due to his hard-working, blue-collar attitude and his surprising scoring touch.

Cally is only 26 and is only just entering his prime. His 23 goals last year is just an indication of what could come from the Rochester, NY native.

Whilst it would be unfortunate for Ryan to leave his second line, he would be the player to bring grit to a scoring first line.

Like Zuccarello, Callahan is a RW by nature and could face having to change his game slightly to accommodate being a LW but he's shown in the past he's willing to do anything to help his team succeed.

Ryan would be a little unorthodox with Richards and Gabby, but would definitely add some toughness, heart and grit to go along with their (hopefully) high scoring and skill.

Chris Kreider

This is currently my favorite scenario.

Chris Kreider, who spent last year with Boston College in the NCAA, is currently ranked as the Rangers' top prospect by such websites as Hockey's Future.

Kreider is a typical power forward who has spent most of his time at college playing as a LW while also putting up impressive stats: 47 points in 70 games.

After seeing Kreider play, he reminds me of Milan Lucic: big and strong but with good hands and the ability to rush the net.

Kreider is widely expected to make the jump to the NHL sometime this year and what better way to start your NHL career then playing with two All-Stars?

Kreide can be difficult to play against with his 6' 2", 205-pound frame and would offer a nice alternative in scoring with his "rush the net" tactic then to Richards' and Gaborik's "sniper" style of play.

Plus he'd have two of the game's current greats mentoring him on how to be an effective player in the NHL. 

There is no way to jump to the NHL better than this. 

Traded Player or Prospect

I have offered my suggestions as to who may be picked to move to the top of the depth chart next year, but Coach Tortorella or even GM Glen Sather may have different ideas.

The Rangers could go out and trade for a LW or they could look within the organisation and pick out a winger from their deep pool of prospects.

With the difficulty involved in predicting trades, especially with an unpredictable franchise like New York, I can only offer a few other prospects who may play with the Blueshirts' star acquisitions next year.

Carl Hagelin: The other LW NCAA Prospect, Hagelin is also regarded as one to watch in the juniors. However, it's quite likely that he'll stay in college for all of his eligible time to improve his offensive game. Besides, Kreider is a more experienced, decorated and frankly, talented LW who is also more ready to make the jump to the NHL.

Christian Thomas: Highly regarded in the Rangers organisation, Thomas could see himself on the big stage next year. However, he'd have to transition from a RW to a LW and despite being considered an elite prospect, that may hold him back in the Juniors/AHL.

Lewis Hughes is an aspiring sports writer and amateur journalist who also desperately needs Twitter followers. Follow him: http://twitter.com/#!/lah_8