Rangers could use some reinforcements as NHL trade deadline nears

GREENBURGH — The concept of reinforcements is exciting, and it would be welcome if it comes to pass.

But they are not necessarily a necessity for the Rangers as the March 8 NHL trade deadline approaches.

“We’re obviously going to do what we can with what we got,” defenseman Braden Schneider told Newsday after Friday morning’s practice. “So no matter what, I think we’re content with what we’ve got, but if something’s added, then that’s great, too. But I think we [have] a really deep team right now and we’re [going to] keep doing our best to keep winning.”

Winning is something the Rangers have done exceedingly well in their first season under coach Peter Laviolette.

Entering Saturday night’s game in Toronto, the Rangers (40-17-3, 83 points) have won 11 out of the last 12 games and have recorded points in 13 of their last 15 games (12-2-1).

They lead Carolina by five points for first place in the Metropolitan Division and trail Florida and Boston by one point for the overall league lead. They also tied the 1972-73 Rangers team for the fewest number of games (60) needed to win 40 games.

So yes, this is a quality team with legitimate Stanley Cup aspirations. And as such, there is an industrywide belief that general manager Chris Drury will look to fortify his squad by next Friday.

The most obvious areas of need are a top-line right wing to skate with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider and a third-line center to replace Filip Chytil, who was lost for the season with what is suspected to be a concussion. The addition of a physical, crease-clearing defenseman also could help.

Which prompts a question: What would it cost to make those improvements?

That is the unknown. But what is known is that, according to industry website CapFriendly.com, the Rangers are expected to have $4.383 million in available cap space by the deadline and have five picks in June’s NHL Draft, including a first-round selection that could be used in a deal.

During his tenure, Drury has shown no compunction about making deadline deals to put his teams in the best position to compete for a Cup. Two years ago, Drury acquired Frank Vatrano, Justin Braun, Andrew Copp and Tyler Motte to strengthen a team that reached the Eastern Conference Final before losing to Tampa Bay in six games. Last year, he brought in Motte, Vladimir Tarasenko, Niko Mikkola and Patrick Kane to round out what was thought to be a Cup contender, but the Rangers lost to the Devils in the first round of the playoffs.

His willingness to make trades to compete for a title hasn’t gone unnoticed or unappreciated by his roster.

“This time of year is exciting whenever your team is trying to make a splash, go for it and win a Stanley Cup,” Vincent Trocheck said. “Management [does] their job to do whatever they think is going to make our team hard to compete against in the playoffs. Whatever they do, [we] have confidence in their decisions.  It’s an exciting time of year for us.”

Mackey re-ups

The Rangers announced that defenseman Connor Mackey has signed a two-year contract extension. Mackey’s deal is a two-way contract (meaning he gets a lower salary if he’s playing in the minors than if he’s in the NHL), and it’s reportedly for $775,000 at the NHL level. He has 11 points (two goals and nine assists) in 36 games with AHL Hartford this season.