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New York Rangers Might Need to Trade Mats Zuccarello or Carl Hagelin

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By @chriswgamble

Getty Images

Getty Images

The New York Rangers currently rank 29th in the NHL in faceoff win percentage. It is, by far, the Rangers’ biggest Achilles heel this season. With Marc Staal signed to an extension, the Rangers could be compelled to move impending free agent Mats Zuccarello or impending restricted free agent Carl Hagelin in order to bring in a center.

Obviously, the Rangers would love to retain a player like Zuccarello. He is a fan favorite and does a little bit of everything. However, in the era of salary cap hockey there is only so much money to go around and rumors are already floating around that Zuccarello is looking to be paid with some reports stating a contract worth $5 million per year being what he is looking for.

Rangers’ GM Glen Sather has shown he is very willing to extend homegrown talent so an extension with Zuccarello is not off the table. We have also seen Sather willing to pull the trigger on a deal if an extension can’t be reached. Just ask Ryan Callahan about Sather’s willingness to trade a player he can’t extend.

On the other hand there is Carl Hagelin whose speed and skill set are enough to get you excited. However, that hasn’t translated to consistent production on the ice so far. He is almost the anti-Zuccarello, a tiny player who plays well above size and skill. However, there is still a chance the 26-year-old winger will still live up to his vast potential. The question is whether the Rangers want to be patient with Hagelin or try and turn him into an immediate asset through a trade.

The Rangers right now have some decent depth at wing. J.T. Miller can easily slide over to wing, a position he plays better than center at this point in his NHL career. There is also Anthony Duclair who can return to the Rangers if they make the Stanley Cup. No NHL team can ever have enough depth at wing but the Rangers truly need help at center where their depth is severely lacking.

It is important to note that nothing is imminent. This is a situation that Glen Sather is most likely working hard behind the scenes to remedy. I’m sure Sather would love to keep Zuccarello and Hagelin and bring in a center by only giving up minor league talent or draft picks but in the NHL you have to give up something to get something. Unless, of course, you are the Rangers acquiring Ryan McDonagh for Scott Gomez.

Expect the Rangers to be active leading up to the trade deadline, both with their own players and in trade talks. The Rangers are at a crossroads with Hagelin and Zuccarello and their time with the team could be coming to an end soon.

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