NHL: Brad Richards and 10 Bold Predictions for the New York Rangers Offseason

The NHL summer period is always an interesting time of the year. Free agents are signed and resigned, players are traded and teams rebuild.

This offseason will be no different for the New York Rangers.  

In this slideshow I will make 10 bold predictions of things to occur during the offseason for the New York Rangers.

1) Resigning RFA Line Will Be Glen Sather's Number One Priority

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 20: Brandon Dubinsky #17 of the New York Rangers yells back at referee Paul Devorski #10 after Dubinsky thought Devorski blocked him on a break away attempt against the Washington Capitals in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quart

Trading for or signing a big name player is always nice if the price is right but it is not worth it if you sell half the farm to afford it.

Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky, and Artem Anisimov are all restricted free agents this offseason and are expected to resign.

The question at hand is will this be a seamless process that goes smoothly so Glen Sather can have a ballpark figure of what he can spend on unrestricted free agents.

We all know the route Brandon Dubinsky went last time when he was a RFA. He sat out most of the summer before he even had a contract inked. 

Ryan Callahan is the future and face of the franchise. He is young and is a fan favorite and many peg him to become the next captain of the Rangers. He is expected to be the first player the Rangers resign.

Artem Anisimov is a speedy center who made great offensive strides this season. He has a lot of talent and has played well alongside Dubinsky and Callahan.

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Bottom line: Each player will should receive a raise and extended contract depending on how much the salary cap is increased for next year and if general managers offer deals that expire after the current CBA does

According to figures calculated by Cap Geek each player could receive a raise of $1.5 to 2 million a piece and it would allow the Rangers to take care of other business. 

2) Brian Boyle and Michael Sauer Will Also Return

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 17: (L-R) Goalie Henrik Lundqvist #30 and Brian Boyle #22 of the New York Rangers celebrate after the Rangers won 3-2 against the Washington Capitals in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley C

Brian Boyle had an uncharacteristic offensive year. He had 21 goals and 14 assists for 35 points.

This was a great year as he amassed his overall career marks this season.

Michael Sauer was also a breakout player in his rookie season. Sauer proved to be a formidable defenseman this season while he was paired with Ryan McDonagh.

He finally found his niche after spending many years in the minors. 

These two players are two of the many RFA's the Rangers will resign this offseason. 

3) Glen Sather Will Sign a No.1 Center

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 02: Brad Richards #91 of the Dallas Stars skates against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on April 2, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Glen Sather will sign a No. 1 center but I hesitate to say that the center signed will  be Brad Richards.

When you account for all the core parts the Rangers need to sign first, Brad Richards becomes an after thought.

Many fans believe Brad Richards would be the center and scorer the Rangers have been yearning for. It would also be a proper line mate and established player to play alongside Marian Gaborik.

Marian Gaborik had a down year offensively for the Rangers. This can be attributed to injuries, the line shuffling of linemates by John Tortorella, or he simply just couldn't perform this season.

Adding a legitimate proven center would serve three purposes. In this scenario we will use Brad Richards.

Brad Richards, 

1) would mentor young centers like Derek Stepan and Artem Anismov,

2) would play with Marian Gaborik and would help him get the scoring touch back, and

3) would help by playing the point on the powerplay.

Other options include free agents Tim Connolly, Brooks Laich and or making a trade in the offseason.

4) Bryan McCabe Will Be Resigned at a Reduced Rate

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 17: Bryan McCabe #28 of the New York Rangers attempts a shot against Boyd Gordon #15 of the Washington Capitals in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on

It may have not been a big improvement but nonetheless, the Rangers power play got better when the acquired Bryan McCabe from the Panthers.  

He carried a large $5.25 million salary when he was traded to the Rangers. The aging defenseman can still play but at age 35 I can't find many teams shelling out that amount to get him.

He likes New York and being on a playoff contending team. If Glen Sather can get the right price I see McCabe coming back to the Blueshirts for 1-3 years at maybe $2.5 to 3 million per.

5) Erik Christensen Will Be Traded

Lets face facts, Christensen is a shootout specialist but we have Wojtek Wolski and Mats Zuccarello fill that void.

Christensen could be dealt for draft picks or a prospect or two. He was great in spurts but not much was expected from a waiver wire signing.

A team that struggles in the shootout may inquire about his services.

I realize his moves are great like the one made in the clip above but it is a simple move to make because he is young and the Rangers don't need any more mediocre centers. 

6) Brandon Prust Will Be Offered a Contract Extension

Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 24: Brandon Prust #8 of the New York Rangers celebrates scoring the game tying goal during the third period against the Ottawa Senators at Madison Square Garden on March 24, 2011 in New York City. The Senators defeated the Rangers 2-1

Who would have though Brandon Prust would have turned out to be such a steal in a traded where he was considered to be the throw away piece.

Olli Jokinen was outcasted last season after a disappointing second half capped off with a dreadful shootout attempt with the season on the line.

Brandon Prust plays with heart, intensity, determination, and grit.

Prust is a big part of the team and I would be surprised if he was given the "A" when the  man is slide No. 7 is named captain. 

7) Ryan Callahan Will Be the Captain

Mike Stobe/Getty Images

NEW YORK - MARCH 22: Ryan Callahan #24 of the New York Rangers skates against the Florida Panthers on March 22, 2011 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Rangers defeated the Islanders 1-0. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

While this is contingent on my 10th prediction Ryan Callahan has been pegged to become the next captain.

Callahan represents the Rangers and what they stand for. He is a gifted scorer who isn't afraid to get dirty or throw a hit when needed.

He is a great penalty killer and sacrifices his body more than any man should. Twice this year he has been put out of commission blocking shots.

Earlier this year he broke his hand blocking a shot against Pittsburgh and a few weeks ago he broke his ankle blocking a Zdeno Chara rocket one-timer.

Callahan is the future and will serve the Rangers well as the captain.

8) Glen Sather Will Not Overpay for Free Agents

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 27: General Manager and President Glen Sather of the New York Rangers works the phones during the 2009 NHL Entry Draft at the Bell Centre on June 27, 2009 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Glen Sather has characteristically over paid and has traded for big name players in the past. This long list includes

• Eric Lindros
• Pavel Bure
• Darius Kasperitus
• Scott Gomez
• *Derek Boogaard: Not exactly a big name but was bad deal

The Rangers have a great core of young players and other talent to resign to lengthy deals.

The Rangers are in a good position with the kids they have and other talent waiting in the minors. Sather will show some restraint this offseason. 

9) Carl Hagelin Will Make Team out of Training Camp

Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images

LAKE PLACID, NY - AUGUST 8: Carl Hagelin #20 of Team Sweden skates against Team USA Blue during an exhibition game on August 8, 2007 at the 1980 Rink Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, New York. Team USA Blue defeated Sweden 5-3. (Photo by Phillip MacCall

 Carl Hagelin, the Rangers sixth-round draft-pick in 2007, will be a sleeper pick to make the team out of training camp.

In 44 games with the University of Michigan this season, Hagelin scored 18 goals and 31 assists, leading his team in each offensive category.

Hagelin will reported to the Rangers AHL affiliate team, the Connecticut Whale, and played for them until the Whale were knocked out of the Calder Cup playoffs. 

Hagelin hopes to show his skills on the big stage next fall.

10) Chris Drury Will Retire...but Will Become an Assistant Coach

Jonathan Klein/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 09: Chris Drury #23 of the New York Rangers skates in warmups prior to the game against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on April 9, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jonathan Klein/Getty Images)

Chris Drury is an integral part of the heart and soul of the New York Rangers.

However, this year he showed severe signs of aging and that his body was susceptible to wear and tear.

As an assistant coach he could do all the things he does now in the locker room and on the ice at practice, without his salary counting on the salary cap.

The Rangers have too much respect for him to send him to Connecticut like they did with Wade Redden.

With the young core of centers like Derek Stepan, Artem Anisimov, and Brian Boyle, Drury has not played well enough for a roster spot when you account for the fact that the Rangers will attempt to sign a big center this offseason. 

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