NHL Free Agency 2012: Zach Parise and Others the New York Rangers Will Target

The NHL trade deadline came and went with a dud, aside from a few minor trades, so with the playoffs slowly approaching, teams will likely reassess their needs for the offseason based on their playoff outcome. The New York Rangers are one team that can already be penciled in as a free-agent buyer.

The team has a youth-oriented squad that is a conglomerate of the Hartford Wolf Pack and some veterans. It is obvious the team is defensive-minded, so offense is an area the Blueshirts will likely target.

During the buzz that was the trade deadline, Glen Sather felt no pressure to make a whim move because he knew the team would be a buyer in the offseason.

With that in mind, let's take a look at some of the players that will be on Sather's radar come the opening of free agency on July 1, 2012

Salary Cap Information

Here is what the Rangers' financial state of affairs will look like for the offseason.

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Key RFA'S

-[D] Michael Del Zotto

-[F] Mats Zuccarello

 

Key UFA's

-[F] Brandon Prust

-[G] Martin Biron

-[F] John Mitchell

 

Players Likely to Hit Free Agency

- [F/D] John Scott

- [F] Ruslan Fedotenko

- [D] Steve Eminger

- [D] Jeff Woywitka

- [F] Sean Avery

- [D] Anton Stralman

 

Projected Cap Space via Cap Geek

SALARY CAP: $64,300,000

CAP PAYROLL: $48,358,334

BONUSES: $1,462,500

CAP SPACE (14-man roster): $15,941,666

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Zach Parise

There is no guarantee that Zach Parise will hit unrestricted free agency. There is a slim chance that the coveted power winger is retained by the New Jersey Devils but their financial woes may make it highly improbable.

Rich Chere of The Star Ledger noted that Parise has been told that the possibility of the team entering bankruptcy shouldn't affect the ability to re-sign him, but Chere also noted there is always a chance the Devils could lose him for nothing.

If Parise hits free agency, NHL Insider Darren Dreger feels the Rangers are one team that will definitely have Parise on their radar.

Parise is a American speedy winger with a goal scorer's touch. Those three characteristics rank high on John Tortorella's checklist.

He likes having American players because often he has experience in being their coach on the international level. If Tortorella has coached a player he has an idea on how that player will fit in his system.

This advantage combined with Parise's skill set makes him valuable to the Rangers. Adding Parise to the fold would really enhance the Blueshirts' offensive firepower.  

Ryan Suter

With Michael Sauer's future in jeopardy, the Rangers will most definitely inquire about Ryan Suter. There have been absolutely no updates on Sauer's condition and he hasn't been anywhere near the team in quite sometime.

He was sidelined after enduring a brutal but legal hit from Dion Phaneuf.

With the Rangers currently using a fluctuating pair of defenders from a group that includes Stu Bickel, Anton Stralman, Steve Eminger and Jeff Woywitka, it is an area they will look to address.

The Rangers currently have a top pairing of Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi. The second pairing involves Michael Del Zotto and Marc Staal. 

You may be asking, where does Suter fit in?

In a best case scenario this is how the defense could look:

McDonagh—Suter

Staal—Girardi

Del Zotto—Erixon

Now, in this scenario it would be possible to rearrange the defense pairings for optimal balance. If the Rangers had six capable defenseman, Tortorella could really balance out the work load of his defenseman while still having a shutdown pair on the ice during the game. 

It wouldn't matter whether you were a top- or bottom-pair defenseman because there wouldn't be any weaknesses on the back end.

Can you imagine a defensive core of Suter, Girardi, McDonagh, Del Zotto, Staal and Erixon?

With a defensive grouping like that, the Rangers could really spread things out.

Rick Nash

Rick Nash isn't a free agent but whether or not he becomes a Ranger is based on the free-agency market. Sather would love to sign a free agent rather than part with assets to acquire a top player, but let's just look at things from a "what if" scenario.

Sather is most certainly going to give Columbus a buzz this offseason. With fewer bidders in the Nash-stakes, it is conceivable that the asking price will become drastically lower.

The unique situation that Columbus GM Scott Howson has in with regard to Nash is that he is dealing with a player who possesses a tight no-movement clause.Nash is in the driver's seat for all negotiations.

Howson may have an ideal asking price, but Nash will always control his destination. 

Howson can attempt to squeeze Nash but ultimately, I think the team's owners will treat their loyal soldier and franchise player with some respect and dignity.

Nash has a career high of 79 points on a team with virtually no support. If paired with players like Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards on the Rangers, it is fair to say that he shouldn't have a problem hitting at least 80-plus-points. 

Nash's size, shot and power-play prowess will drive the Rangers to pursue him come the offseason.

Ray Whitney

Call me crazy but if the Rangers decide to bulk up on defense, if they strike out on Parise and decide to not chase Nash, Ray Whitney could be a low-risk, low-cost addition on offense.

It is widely expected that Chris Kreider will join the ranks next season or sooner so he could be paired with Richards.

Adding Whitney would make a lot of sense because he would add vital secondary scoring.

Whitney is pushing 40, but he would be a great fit for the Rangers. Why? Whitney already has 62 points and is on pace for 72. He hasn't showed any sign of slowing down and if the Coyotes relocate he could decide not to move with them.

Whitney would add scoring, power-play experience and veteran leadership to a relatively young hockey club. Whitney was a vital part of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006 when they won the Stanley Cup, and he could have a similar impact for the Rangers.

Given the Rangers' current team makeup, adding a complementary piece like Whitney would not set back the youth movement and wouldn't jeopardize the future. 

If the price is right, Whitney would be the perfect piece to add this offseason.

Tom Urtz is an NHL Featured Columnist.

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