5 Rangers' Trade Targets to Replace Igor Shesterkin
The New York Rangers will be without goaltender Igor Shesterkin for the season, after the Russian netminder hurt himself trying to make a save Friday night against the Washington Capitals.
General manager Chris Drury is now tasked with trying to find a replacement in net for this season, as the Rangers are now without their two best goaltenders. There's been some talks about Jonathan Quick coming out of retirement, and while that's certainly a possibility, Drury could find a new goaltender on the trade market.
Here's five trade targets for the Rangers to consider:
Samuel Montembeault
Montembeault is currently on the shelve for another week or so, but he could be the option the Rangers pursue. The veteran netminder is a pending unrestricted free agent, he's signed to a reasonable cap hit at $3.1 million AAV, and he doesn't have any trade protection to get in the way. The Canadiens have Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler, so moving Montembeault for a Rangers depth player, or mid-level prospect could be the play.
Jordan Binnington
If anyone can handle the bright lights on Broadway, it's Binnington. The veteran goaltender is becoming the second fiddle in St. Louis behind Joel Hofer, and is a prime trade target for the Rangers. He's also a pending UFA, and is a perfect short-term fix for the Rangers before Shesterkin returns next season.
John Gibson
Gibson, like Binnington and Montembeault, only has this season left on his contract, so it's the ideal situation for the Rangers, and Drury to consider. The Red Wings are rebuilding, they have two other players they're currently working on trades for, so moving Gibson wouldn't necessarily be a shock to their dressing room. Gibson isn't in Detroit's long term plans, so moving him for a player or a couple of pieces now make complete sense.
Darcy Kuemper
The UFA train continues as the Los Angeles Kings have Darcy Kuemper, who they could dangle. They acquired the veteran goaltender for Pierre-Luc Dubois a couple of years ago, and don't expect to see this type of return heading back to the Kings if a deal is completed. The Rangers have picks, they have prospects, and they'll have the financial resources to add Kuemper easily once Shesterkin is moved to LTIR.
Arturs Silovs
The Penguins have been rumored to be interested in a couple of the Rangers blueliners, so perhaps there's a deal to be made here between a couple of rivals. There would certainly be a hard bargain coming from Kyle Dubas, as he won't be chomping at the bit to move Silovs, while also helping out the Rangers. Defenceman Scott Morrow was recently named a potential trade target in this proposed deal.