Players New York Rangers Should Deal for to Fill Holes in Lineup

The defending Eastern Conference champs are by no means a perfect squad. After heading to the Stanley Cup Final, the New York Rangers lost key players such as Brian Boyle and Anton Stralman to free agency and bought out Brad Richards.

The Rangers ultimately found replacements to fill the holes, but at the midway point they have some gaps to address. The biggest need is down the middle, because the team could use some depth and help winning faceoffs.

There are a number of players whom the Rangers should seek to acquire ahead of the trade deadline, and here are some prime targets.

Nate Thompson, Anaheim Ducks

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Position: Center

Contract: Unrestricted free agent in 2018, $1,600,000

Age: 30

Vital Stats: 53.0 faceoff win percentage

Nate Thompson is an NHL journeyman who could join his fifth team this season if the Rangers made it worth the while of the Anaheim Ducks. He would be a nice addition who would serve a purpose for this year and future seasons because of his contract.

Not only can Thompson win faceoffs, but he is also a skilled penalty killer who will drop the gloves and play on the wing if needed. He is a solid utility player with a great contract, and he would be a nice pickup if Glen Sather can swing it.

Jay McClement, Carolina Hurricanes

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Position: Center

Contract: Unrestricted free agent in 2015, $1,000,000 cap hit

Age: 31

Vital Stats: 55.3 faceoff win percentage

Another pivot the Blueshirts should inquire about is Jay McClement, and there's a chance they could try for a package deal involving another Carolina Hurricane. McClement is another skilled faceoff ace who could fit in nicely on the third or fourth line for the Rangers.

He would be a pure rental, as his contract expires at the end of the season. The 6'1", 205-pound center is a veteran with nine years of experience, and if acquired he would win a ton of faceoffs and provide sound defensive-zone coverage.

Andrej Sekera, Carolina Hurricanes

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Position: Defenseman

Contract: Unrestricted free agent in 2015, $2,750,000

Age: 28

Vital Stats: 22:48 ice time per game

Andrej Sekera is a solid top-four defender on a floundering Carolina Hurricanes team, and he will likely fetch a pretty penny at the deadline.

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, via Nichols on Hockey, states that the Rangers have interest in Sekera, and it certainly would make a ton of sense. The Hurricanes will most likely want to stockpile draft picks in this year's deep draft, so there is a chance that any deals involving a pick will be a non-starter on the part of Glen Sather.

If the Rangers can work a deal around a lesser prospect and a third- or fourth-round pick, it would be a trade worth making for a rental who could be for all intents and purposes re-signed in the event that a deal can't be made with Marc Staal.

Sekera isn't going to replace Staal, but he would be a nice addition who could fill the void lost when Anton Stralman signed in Tampa Bay. 

Boyd Gordon, Edmonton Oilers

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Position: Center

Contract: Unrestricted free agent in 2016, $3,000,000 cap hit

Age: 30

Vital Stats: 56.3 faceoff win percentage

The New York Rangers need help in the faceoff department, and Glen Sather should give his buddies Craig MacTavish and Kevin Lowe a call. The Rangers bolstered up their roster in 1994 by dealing for Mac T and Glenn Anderson, and adding Gordon would be a wise move.

Adding Gordon would give the Rangers some flexibility in the development of Kevin Hayes, and it would give them the ability to send out two key centers for must-win draws. Dominic Moore is the only player who can win a faceoff to save his life, and the team needs to address that before the playoffs.

Not only will Gordon win faceoffs, but he is a solid penalty killer who can chip in minimal offense when needed.

Jeff Petry, Edmonton Oilers

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Position: Defenseman

Contract: Unrestricted free agent in 2015, $3,075,000

Age: 27

Vital Stats: 21:13 ice time per game

Much like the Carolina proposals in Slides 2 and 3, dealing with the Edmonton Oilers could be a package deal.

Jeff Petry is a 6'3", 198-pound defender whom the New York Rangers should keep an eye on if he becomes available. He was drafted 45th overall at the 2006 draft, and he's a puck-moving defenseman with some upside.

The Oilers rearguard is a solid skater who would fit in well with Alain Vigneault's system, and his booming shot would be a nice asset to the power play. Adding Petry would give the Rangers another right-handed shot at their disposal and allow for some flexibility.

Stats via NHL.com. Financial information via CapGeek archives.