Free agency is just around the corner. It is never too early to think and plan ahead. Managers across the league are doing that for their draft boards and free agency plans. Today we focus on the New York Rangers and their free agency situation. There are key contract extensions to be given out. One key area entering free agency is the New York Rangers backup goaltender options. They will need someone to backstop Igor Shesterkin and form a tandem in the net. But what does that look like? Who is available? With $11 million in cap space, let’s take a look at realistic options for Chris Drury.
New York Rangers Backup Goalie Options
Jaroslav Halak
In terms of the cheapest but most effective option, bringing back Jaroslav Halak makes sense. The Rangers backup goalie was effective this season for the club. Things did not start well for Halak. In October, he went on to post a .867 save percentage and a 3.69 goals-against average in three starts. Things got better in November and slowed down again in December. It was a constant theme where he would rotate months from being good to bad. When all was said and done, Halak was a reliable backup goaltender. He went on to finish the season with a 10-9-5 record, 2.72 goals against average, and a .903 save percentage. In addition, his 1.1 goals saved above expected was sufficient given his time in the crease. Halak is coming off a contract where he was making $1.5 million. He may be getting older, but in the same role behind Shesterkin, it is a great option to have and will not cost a ton.
Antti Raanta
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Another New York Rangers backup goaltender option is a familiar face. Antti Raanta played for the Rangers years ago. Ever since leaving the organization, he has been a steady goaltender. These past two seasons he has been with the Carolina Hurricanes. Given that he and Frederik Andersen are free agents, one will likely be done. If the Rangers are looking for a quality backup, Raanta fits the bill. His first season in Carolina saw Raanta post respectable numbers. He went on to finish with a 2.45 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage. In addition, Raanta went on to be the playoff starter in the 2022 NHL Playoffs. His 3.4 goals saved above expected stood out as well as his 2.26 goals against average and .922 save percentage.
Fast forward one season and Raanta still helped shut the door for Carolina. His save percentage and goals against average were the best among the trio of goalies used in the organization. His 1.3 goals saved above expected was second best. Raanta again did see playoff action. The veteran goaltender has good hockey left in the tank. He does not have to come in and be the everyday starter, but he is reliable and can give provide relief to Shesterkin. Raanta is coming off a contract making $2 million per season. Like Halak, his age is up there and can be brought in at a cheaper cost.
Mackenzie Blackwood
This one will make your head spin but hold that thought real fast. Mackenzie Blackwood is a pending restricted free agent. However, he will likely not receive a qualifying offer from the club. That now makes him a free agent. The huge upside with Blackwood is his age, but there are concerns surrounding him. Blackwood’s biggest concern is his health as he was hurt on three separate occasions this year.
His level of play never fit the billing for the Devils. There was room for optimism in the 2019-20 season. Blackwood had his best year to date with 7.9 goals saved above expected, 2.77 goals against average, and a .915 save percentage. However, it was downhill from there. His next three seasons saw him post subpar numbers. Here’s how it looks for the young goalie:
2020-21
- GSAX: -8.5
- GAA: 3.04
- Save Percentage: .902
2021-22
- GSAX: -12.7
- GAA: 3.39
- Save Percentage: .892
2022-23
- GSAX: -0.9
- GAA: 3.20
- Save Percentage: .893
It is safe to say that his level of play has regressed. In addition, he has fallen out of favour. The writing on the wall for his exit was when the team turned to Akira Schmid in the playoffs. However, Blackwood still has the potential to be a good goaltender. The fit makes sense for the Rangers to get younger in net for a backup role. Not to mention, it will not cost a ton to bring him in. His qualifying offer was $3 million. Given the Rangers’ cap space situation, they could bring him in for lower. Playing with and learning from Igor Shesterkin could go a long way for him.
Alex Lyon
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This next player on the options list for New York Rangers backup goaltender is intriguing. The journeyman around the league helped catapult the Florida Panthers to the Stanley Cup Finals. This is a player who has never played more than ten games at the NHL level until this season. Bouncing around from the Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes, he found a home with the Panthers. The issue is that he is a free agent. Florida will have a tough time keeping him in the fold. Not just for a cap space purpose but already having Sergei Bobrovsky on the books as well as recently extending Spencer Knight. But Alex Lyon showed what he can do at the big league level given the chance.
With injuries sustained and Spencer Knight entering the player assistance program, it was his time to shine. Lyon went 9-4-2 and helped guide the Panthers into the postseason. He would finish with 2.89 goals against average and a .912 save percentage. Not to mention he was deemed the starter to open the first-round series against the Boston Bruins. It was tough as he saw his numbers take a bit of a dive, but Lyon was still solid for the club. He is only 30 years old. Given the flashes he showed, taking a chance on him would not be the worst idea.
Adin Hill
Out of all the New York Rangers backup goaltender options, this may be the least realistic. However, it is worth entertaining. A contract will be difficult to pull off given the salary cap the team has available to them. But upgrading in net is not a bad idea. Part of the Vegas Golden Knights goaltending carousel this postseason, Adin Hill has made a name for himself. He has ten wins under his belt and that’s with not being named the postseason starter.
During the regular season, Hill posted a 2.50 goals against average and a .914 save percentage. He went on to play as expected finishing with 0.9 goals saved above expected. Fast forward to the playoffs and Hill has been a machine. Hill currently has a 2.11 goals against average and a .934 save percentage. In addition, his 8.2 goals saved above expected is good for third among all playoff goaltenders. Hill picked a great time to elevate his game and it has Vegas one win away from hoisting the Stanley Cup.
Hill originally signed a two-year deal with the San Jose Sharks. Vegas went on to acquire his services and the rest is history. His current AAV of $2.175 is set to rise. It might be steep for Chris Drury to entertain, but it is worth exploring. If that does not work, Laurent Brossoit is also a free agent who also played for Vegas this season.
Main Photo: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-USA TODAY Sports
Salary Cap Numbers Come From Cap Friendly
Statistics Come From Money Puck
