Montreal Canadiens’ Sam Montembeault on His Future
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault, when asked about his future with the team, stated: “I have one year left on my deal, I don’t make those decisions. All I can control is having a good summer.”
New York Rangers’ Potential Offseason Targets
New York Rangers GM Chris Drury appears eager to be active this offseason. While taking a significant swing on a player is a possibility, identifying available targets that align with the Rangers’ needs is key. The team might consider moving Vincent Trocheck, likely for a package of assets.
For established top-six forward and top-four defenseman needs, here are some potential considerations:
Free Agents (UFAs):
Alex Tuch could fit a positional need with his size and scoring, but his age (30) and role as a complementary player might make a significant contract questionable. Similarly, spending big on right-handed defenseman Darren Raddysh might not be the Rangers’ preference.
Potential Trade Targets:
The Buffalo Sabres might be looking to free up cap space to re-sign RFA forwards Zach Benson and Peyton Krebs. They possess an abundance of left-handed defensemen, raising questions about the availability of Bowen Byram (UFA after next season) or Owen Power (signed for five more years at $8.35 million).
The Dallas Stars are expected to re-sign RFA Jason Robertson but may need to make roster adjustments. Roope Hintz, with five years remaining on his contract at $8.45 million and a no-movement clause, is a player of interest. Mavrik Bourque is an RFA with arbitration rights.
The San Jose Sharks are reportedly open to moving their No. 2 overall pick and might consider dropping back to select a defenseman. The Rangers hold the No. 5 pick and are in need of a forward. The Sharks have young forwards and could use a defenseman. A trade involving Braden Schneider for William Eklund would be ideal, though the Sharks also have prospects like Filip Bystedt, Igor Chernyshov, and Quentin Musty.
The St. Louis Blues have Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou, both with contracts at $8.125 million through 2031. The Rangers’ No. 5 pick might not be enough to entice the Blues, and they lack other significant assets that would interest St. Louis.
Auston Matthews is considered a long shot. The Rangers are among the teams monitoring if Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies becomes available. At 23, Knies scored 66 points last season and has a $7.75 million cap hit for five more years.
The Rangers should consider Vancouver Canucks RFA forward Pavel Dorofeyev. To potentially sign-sheet him, they would need to acquire their 2027 second-round pick from the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Canucks might move Tomas Hertl and Adin Hill to free up cap space. The Rangers could potentially leverage their cap space to take on players like Hertl, William Karlsson, Nic Dowd, or Keegan Kolesar.
If the Ottawa Senators were ever to make Brady Tkachuk available, the Rangers would express interest.
