5 free agents the Rangers can sign to get back to the playoffs

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - APRIL 8, 2018: SKA St Petersburg's Ilya Kovalchuk before Game 6 of the 2017/2018 Kontinental Hockey League Western Conference final best-of-seven playoff between CSKA Moscow and SKA St Petersburg at CSKA Arena; CSKA Moscow won the game 3 - 2. Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS (Photo by Stanislav Krasilnikov\TASS via Getty Images) /

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Photo by Stanislav Krasilnikov\TASS via Getty Images /

3. Ilya Kovalchuk

Former New Jersey Devils and Atlanta Thrashers forward Ilya Kovalchuk is arguably the best player in the world who isn’t in the NHL. He’s a proven asset, someone who can produce a top forward. After spending some time in the KHL, Kovalchuk is interested in coming back to North America.

The Rangers have expressed interest in him. And yes, it totally makes sense for a team that just said they’re rebuilding to sign a high-priced guy like Kovalchuk. First of all, rebuilding teams need veterans too. The young players need leaders to look up to. Kovalchuk is a step below a diety in Russia. He’d be a perfect guy for Pavel Buchnevich and their other young forwards to look up to.

Secondly, maybe New York isn’t ready to blow it all up yet. Yes, they did better their future at the trade deadline by trading Nash, Ryan McDonagh, Nick Holden, and Michael Grabner. However, New York still has Lundqvist in goal. Should you really burn it down if you have an aging goaltender? Nope.

The Rangers owe it to Lundqvist to rebuild as quickly as possible. It would be a tragedy if King Henrik has to retire without a Stanley Cup. Kovalchuk would make the Blue Shirts much better. They need wings. Kovalchuk would immediately become their best wing, even if he’s aging. And the KHL is a step above the AHL. Kovalchuk has averaged roughly a point per game while overseas. This tells you how darn good he is.

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