Let’s Make a Deal?

The NHL trade deadline is less then a week away and Larry Brooks of the NY Post says that the Rangers may be on the cusp of a couple of deals.

According to Brooks, the Rangers are making a strong push to aquire PP Quarterback Dan Boyle from the Tampa Bay Lightning.  He also says that Glen Sather and Co., is in talks with St. Louis to acquire Broadway regular Martin Rucinsky in exchange for (brace yourself) Marek Malik.

When it comes to Dan Boyle, I think he’s exactly the type of player that the Rangers need.  The question is: what’s the price?  I’m not willing to part with any big-time prospects (i.e. Dubi, Dawes, Callahan, Sauer, Sanguinetti, etc.) to make the deal.  However, I wouldn’t mind including someone like Greg Moore.  Where this situation becomes interesting is when it comes to Al Montoya.  Clearly never going to see the light of day in a Rangers uniform, it may be time to finally deal the former 1st round pick.  Tampa is certainly a team in need of goaltending help, so it’s not a stretch to see Montoya becoming a key part of the deal.  I know some of you may question whether Dan Boyle is enough of a return for as big a chip as Montoya.  However, Montoya is floundering down in Hartford and his stock is dropping by the day.  It may be time to cut ties while he still has the value that he does.  If Montoya is included in a deal, I’d make a provision that the Rangers have to sign Boyle to a contract extension.  If they’re only getting a rental in Boyle then its no dice.

As for the deal with the Blues, I think it’s the perfect team with which unload Malik.  John Davidson saw #8 every day during his first season with the Rangers (his best season by far as a Blueshirt).  With that memory in mind, the Rangers may be able to get more for Malik than if they were to trade him anywhere else.  Brooks is reporting that the Rangers would be asking for Rucinsky and a defenseman in return.  When it comes to Rucinsky, I just don’t see where he plays on this team.  Assuming that Dawes, Prucha, and Callahan stay put, there’s just no place on this team for the former Ranger.  Unless the Rangers plan on sitting him, it means that the 36-year-old will be taking the spot of one of those three youngsters.  If that’s the case, then it’s a travesty and will be a terrible move.  Rucinsky is not the player he used to be (4 G, 10 A on the season) and the youngsters on the Rangers right now are the most consistent players they have.  As for the defensemen involved in the deal, Barrett Jackman would look good on Broadway.  He’s that big, punishing defenseman that the Rangers sorely miss and would be a big help in the playoffs when those physical D-men are crucial.

So here we go.  T-minus 5 days until the deadline.  I would be shocked if this Rangers team looks the same as it does right now by Tuesday night.

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In other news, Brooks is also reporting that Sean Avery and Glen Sather have made some headway on contract negotiations.  They’re discussing both a one-year bridge and a new multi-year contract.  If I’m Sather, I try and lock him up for a couple of years at a discounted price while I can.  Avery hasn’t had the type of year that gives him a lot of leverage.  To lock him up for 3-4 years in the $2.5-$2.8 million range could turn out to be a steal a couple of years down the road.