NHL Rumors: 3 free agents with Peter Laviolette ties Rangers can sign

NHL Rumors: 3 free agents with Peter Laviolette ties Rangers can sign, No. 1: Conor Sheary, W

Again, the Rangers need to address the winger position this offseason. Tarasenko and Kane are likely to be gone, so here’s what their depth looks like:

• Left Wing: Chris Kreider, Artemi Panarin, Alexis Lafrienere, Jimmy Vesey
• Right Wing: Kaapo Kakko

As you can see, the team needs to add some players to fill out the depth with not only Tarasenko and Kane hitting free agency, but also Tyler Motte. When looking at the former wingers that played for Laviolette, Conor Sheary is probably the top option available.

Sheary knows the Metropolitan Division, well before joining the Capitals in 2020. He started his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2015 and won the Stanley Cup in each of his first two seasons. He was traded to the Buffalo Sabres in 2018 before rejoining Pittsburgh during the 2019-20 campaign.

Later in 2020, Sheary signed a one-year contract with the Capitals. In 53 games, Sheary scored 14 goals and dished out eight assists. Before the end of that first season, the winger signed a two-year contract extension with the team.

In the 2021-22 campaign, Sheary put up 19 goals and 24 assists in 71 games while recording 15 goals and 22 assists in 82 games this past season.

The Rangers need to fill out their depth chart because it’s not a given that either Tarasenko or Kane could make a return with the team’s current cap situation. Adding Sheary would be a solid addition.