The New York Rangers and GM Chris Drury should look into adding more depth options in the forward core. One decent option, last played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and offered some skill, Max Pacioretty. Should GM Chris Drury jump to make it happen?
The New York Rangers are working with a tight amount of cap space left and still could use some signings on the offensive side of the puck.
At the moment, they could wing one more deal for a veteran on a league minimum contract ($775K). The free agent who could fill that role would be Max Pacioretty.
Pacioretty spent the last two seasons playing an ancillary role in the lineup for the Washington Capitals and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
He's played a total of 84 games split between the two franchises and scored 36 points (9-27). Fans should recognize that if Drury does go after Pacioretty, it won't be for the 30-goal scorer he was, but the depth finisher he is now.
The 36-year-old has dealt with a bout of recent injuries but still has plenty of hockey left to play.
An original-six tour to finish out his NHL career would be a storybook ending, only solidified by winning an actual Stanley Cup.
Pacioretty may not be able to play every night, but could be utilized as a 14th forward or a bottom-six role.
He'd still be able to play on the power-play and would give the Rangers some extra firepower where it's been lacking lately.
While there's no urgency for the move, the team should look into acquiring meaningful veterans if they want to remain in contention.
Pacioretty has played over 939 games in the NHL, scoring 681 points (335-346)
