How did it go wrong for Nils Lundkvist and the Rangers —and where do they go from here?

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So Swedish defenseman Nils Lundkvist joins 2017 seventh-overall decide Lias Andersson as one other hyped-up European prospect who hasn’t labored out for the Rangers.

Fortunately for the Rangers, nonetheless, Lundkvist’s current commerce request won't upend plans for this upcoming season. The proper-handed blueliner had already fallen behind on the Rangers defensive depth chart after an underwhelming 25-game cameo on the correct facet of the third pair, primarily subsequent to his countryman Patrik Nemeth, final season.

The spot was rapidly snatched by Braden Schneider, who got here in and established himself as a dependable and bodily presence on the again finish regardless of being a 20-year outdated rookie. Schneider will get a crack at his first 82-game schedule this season, presumably selecting up the place he left off in rounding out the Rangers’ high three right-handed defensemen.

However again to Lundkvist. At 5-foot-10, 187 kilos, with an overemphasis on talent in his recreation, he didn't match the look or type of the Rangers’ defenseman corps. Nor did these traits translate nicely throughout his roughly three months within the NHL. That’s to not say it gained’t translate for one more crew, nonetheless, as he continues to develop and regulate to the North American recreation.

Braden Schneider performed nicely in his restricted time with the Rangers as a rookie and certain will likely be in New York for a full 82 video games this season.

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A part of the mutual choice to half methods stems from Lundkvist’s want for a shot at a top-four position and on the ability play, which the 22-year-old rapidly realized wouldn’t be potential in New York with gamers forward of him comparable to 2021 Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox and Jacob Trouba, who was lately named captain.

To be honest, he’s not a completed product, and there are groups that needs to be within the offensive-minded, still-developing Lundkvist. Right here’s a have a look at a few potential Rangers commerce companions:

Montreal

The Canadiens’ proper facet isn’t significantly jammed with David Savard on the high adopted by borderline prospect Justin Barron and veteran Chris Wideman. Lundkvist might actually problem for a job there.

The Submit’s Larry Brooks reported the Rangers are aiming for considerably of an equal return for Lundkvist. Given the Rangers’ present cap scenario, the membership would doubtless goal a prospect or a younger participant on a less expensive entry-level contract.

The Canadiens might provide left-handed defenseman Jordan Harris, who has 10 NHL video games to his identify and will add to the pool of expertise on the left facet. Everybody is aware of the Rangers are missing at heart depth, nonetheless, so 20-year-old Jan Mysak could be the extra attractive possibility in Montreal’s pipeline.

Nils Lundkvist’s reliance on abilities over physicality has not been a very good match for what the Rangers need on protection, however at solely 22 years outdated, he might have loads of suitors on the commerce market.

JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK PO

Detroit

Lundkvist would additionally fill a necessity for the Purple Wings. Behind Moritz Seider, who gained the Calder Memorial Trophy because the Rookie of the Yr final season, Detroit’s proper facet isn’t robust. There’s Filip Hronek, Gustav Lindstrom and Mark Pysyk, who will likely be out 4-6 months recovering from an Achilles tendon tear. The Purple Wings are extraordinarily younger on the correct facet, and Lundkvist would match proper in.

As for the Rangers protection, there’s a job up for grabs on the left facet. Zac Jones, Matthew Robertson and Libor Hajek come into coaching camp as the highest contenders for the spot. Jones is an analogous kind of participant to Lundkvist, however the UMass product has proven far more spark in his recreation. Robertson can be the big-bodied and bodily possibility, and Hajek is an NHL professional even when he did solely play 17 video games final season in a depth position.

Mailbag

Due to our Texts from the Blue Seats followers for all the time being down to speak hockey even in the summertime…

I’m curious to see how Alexis Lafreniere/Kaapo Kakko/Vitali Kravtsov are used. Will head coach Gerard Gallant truly give them an opportunity or will we see Sammy Blais and Dryden Hunt within the high 6?
— Keith Chinchar

Regardless of his variations with the Rangers final season, Vitali Kravtsov’s reasonably priced cap hit doubtless will immediate the crew to present him loads of probabilities to show he can stick.

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I, too, am curious, Keith. The hope is that Lafreniere and Kakko can set up themselves as high six gamers sooner relatively than later, however that doesn’t essentially imply their time is now. Lafreniere struggled to safe the spot final season, and Kakko was scratched within the closing playoff recreation, so it’ll be as much as them to grab the chance this time round. Kravtsov ought to get an extended look and will likely be given each alternative to make the opening-night roster, particularly together with his $875,000 cap hit. The experiments with Blais and Hunt within the high six might proceed this season. Gallant took a liking to Hunt, who gave the highest six a unique look, which ought to already be considerably modified with the addition of Vincent Trocheck.

Is that this crew completely different sufficient from final yr’s to make a deeper run?
— Steven Ovadia

Whereas the personnel pool might not be that completely different, the Rangers acquired some invaluable expertise from their run to the Japanese Convention Remaining. The thought was that their inexperience was going to be a hindrance, however as an alternative it appeared to have a motivating affect as they grinded by way of their first postseason as a crew. I believe that run will likely be one thing the crew refers to throughout the common season and particularly in the event that they make it again to the playoffs. The trade-deadline acquisitions final season made an enormous distinction, so I might anticipate comparable strikes to be made main as much as this season’s deadline that bolster the crew heading into the playoffs. Whether or not that’s a Patrick Kane-sized splash or the addition of a extra under-the-radar — and underrated — participant comparable to Tyler Motte is but to be seen.

With the Rangers signing Jimmy Vesey, a profession fourth-liner, for depth, couldn’t they've signed Tyler Motte as an alternative, or was Motte extra expensive? Why did we spend $750K for Ryan Carpenter after we might have used the cash to re-sign Motte?
— Tim Maher, Scott Bennion

In in search of a deal just like the $2.45 million deal he simply had, Tyler Motte grew to become a luxurious the Rangers couldn't afford.

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I believe if their monetary pursuits aligned, Motte might’ve been a Ranger once more, however the high-energy fourth liner is clearly looking for compensation that has priced him out of New York. Groups proceed to get their cap-space geese in a row, and when that occurs, Motte will signal. Motte is coming off a two-year, $2.45 million contract, which might be just like what he’s in search of now. The Rangers merely aren’t able to be paying that a lot for a fourth-liner.