This upcoming offseason should be an interesting one for the NY Rangers. The club has been adamant that it’s not rebuilding. If anything, it’s just going through a slight rebuild.
If that’s indeed the case, the team might want to look into a veteran addition or two to solidify its depth down the middle. At this point in the season, the NY Rangers are going with Mika Zibanejad, J.T. Miller, and Vincent Trocheck down the middle.
Now, assuming that the club trades Trocheck, there will be an opening for another center. It’s also plausible to assume that Noah Laba could take over a full-time spot next season. That means there could be room for at least one more center.
That’s why the Blueshirts would do well to check in on impending UFA center Scott Laughton.
Laughton started the season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but was part of a last-minute trade deadline deal with the LA Kings. The 31-year-old is an impending UFA and seems likely to hit the market. There has been no talk of his re-signing with the Kings just yet.
So, that situation could create an opportunity for the NY Rangers.
With that in mind, it’s worth considering what Laughton brings to the table.
How Laughton Fits into NY Rangers Lineup
As it stands, the NY Rangers could use a more defensively responsible center. Laughton is just that. He plays a tough, gritty style and is not afraid to mix it up from time to time. He’s the sort of reliable forward that Mike Sullivan can throw over the boards when things get tough.
While Laughton won’t score a ton, he can chip in double digits in goals. Plus, his versatility on the penalty kill and the power play are skills the NY Rangers have lacked this season.
It would be a stretch to see Laughton taking reps on the third line. If the Blueshirts feel that Laba deserves a shot higher up in the lineup, Laughton would be a solid fourth-line pivot.
That placement depends on the NY Rangers deploying Zibanejad and Miller as centers. Sullivan, at times this season, has deployed Zibanejad and Miller on the wings. In that case, having Laughton could allow the club to move him up and down the lineup.
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Laughton Wouldn’t Be a Prohibitive Acquisition
Laughton is in the final year of his current five-year contract. His $3 million cap hit looks good. However, he should command a raise this coming season. The raise notwithstanding, should not make Laughton a prohibitive acquisition for the NY Rangers. As long as Laughton comes in around $4 million on a two to three-year deal, the Rangers would do well to bring him aboard.
The club should be wary of signing Laughton to a long-term deal. At 31, a multi-year deal in the four or five-year range could backfire in the long run. As such, the NY Rangers should avoid overpaying.
That said, Laughton is among the best forwards in a thin free-agent class. That’s why the club should move early to see if there’s a match there.
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