Should the New York Rangers target defenseman Jakob Chychrun?

[RangersManTristan]

 

With Norris trophy winner Adam Fox on injured reserve, the Rangers are looking a little diminished on the back end. Gallant will have to move some pieces around for their matchup with the Minnesota Wild tonight. Fox was listed as "Day to day" and will probably miss all games leading up the all-star break. Fox's injury was not extreme as he was just pinned up against the boards in an awkward position, but still concerning to see his season come to a halt.

 

This season, the Rangers have called up guys like Libor Hajek, Brendan Schneider, and Nils Lundkvist for help on the bottom pair of defense all year. While Schneider has looked the most promising out of the pack, it could be essential to increase his production by adding another part. 

 

There has been a lot of speculation about American skater Jakob Chychrun in past weeks. As we come closer to the trade deadline, playoff contenders all around the league have had their eyes on the young defenseman. The aggressive fast skater who practically floats on the ice is quick with the puck and is great at flipping the ice. He fits the style of the New York Rangers and would fit in well with Brendan Schneider on the last rotation. 

 

This season, Chychrun's points have been suppressed by the lack of help he has in Arizona. He has 8 points in 30 games which is definitely nothing special, but we have seen him produce in the past as he has shown a good share of potential.

 

Igor Shesterkin has led the Rangers to few wins himself this year as he singlehandedly carries the back line of the defense. Adding a guy like Chychrun would release him from some of the pressure we have seen him face in past games. 

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

First off, welcome to HF.net.
And a Ranger fan too....could use a few of those round here.

Adam Fox (and Trouba too) are definitely movers on the blue line and the young Rangers can ill afford to have either out for any length of time.
As we have seen, the Rangers' overall performance over the last few games has dipped some, and not having a do-everything player like Fox certainly plays into that.

Thing is, one does not simply replace an Adam Fox.
That guy has veteran chops and is only 23....you are simply not going to find a "similar" player out there, available and waiting for the Rangers to scoop him up.
But yea, you knew that....anyone paying attention does.

Jakob Chychrun as a guy to help alleviate SOME of Fox's missing abilities? Sure. In a vacuum NHL world.

I believe the Rangers are on a good, steady uprising track, and while getting a guy like Chychrun surely will help them (or other contenders for that matter), you have to consider Chychrun himself is a young, sought after defender...and will NOT be cheap to acquire.
If I am NY, I don't think I want to gut the farm system or take away from the NHL roster that, recent hiccups aside, is trending nicely towards perennial contenders.

And if you are Arizona, you WILL be asking for more than just spare parts from any would be trade partner for Chychrun....IF Chychrun even makes any sense to trade from their perspective.
Yotes have huge needs everywhere, but also some good young players they can still build around, a crap ton of draft picks, and some decent vets they can turn into more picks and prospects.
I really don't see a reason for them to trade away Chychrun, given his age, abilities, and position he plays.

Since the Rangers are not going to replace Fox one for one, they should be on the look out for smartly priced vets on either expiring or short term contracts that can help bolster their still mostly inexperienced group, while Adam Fox gets better.

Bottom line is, for all the hype in the world that a team like the Rangers may receive with regards to "being ready", I truly believe that while they are looking pretty good on the development and contending path cycle, they still lack any real depth and experienced to compensate if and when a key piece like Fox goes down.
The experience part, only time can remedy that, but the depth part? That is where looking for low cost, short term solid vets on the blue line comes in because it shouldn't cost them much in picks and prospects, give their current young blue liners a first hand look at how a veteran works, and give the team players that have "seen a thing or two" when dealing with yearly contenders like the Caps, Penguins, Lightning, Bruins and Leafs.

Some defensive options?
--Winnipeg looks like they are fading.... perhaps Nathan Beaulieu could be available.
--Seattle maybe could be persuaded to part with Mark Giordano, who is on the last year of his contract, is 38, but still plays very well, and probably wants a shot at the playoffs which the Kraken aren't gonna give him.
--Vancouver may have Luke Schenn available....solid, hard hitting defender who has two Cup rings.
--Calvin deHaan from Chicago should be very obtainable.
--Ben Chiarot from Montreal will make a damned nice addition to any would be contender
--Nick Leddy from Detroit is yet another option for short term experience and stability.

NONE of those players are gonna replace Fox, NONE of those players have the upside of a Jakob Chychrun, and NONE of those players will instantly turn the Rangers into a Cup contender.
But what those players WILL do is provide depth at reasonable costs (in either cap hit or term), give the team an experience boost they still sorely lack, and provide the Rangers with players who would be glad to be playing on a contender again or are just plain hungry to win after years of not being able to.

Then when the Rangers get their full compliment of players, combine with smartly acquired vets, they really COULD be a team to watch in the post season.
Targeting a Jakub Chychrun at the cost of gutting the team or parting with more than one good player to do it? Not worth it, IMO....again, that's even IF Arizona is braindead enough to trade away a guy they really can build around.

My 36 cents anyways.  

Welcome once again, and see ya round the boards!

[Brewin Flames]

The yotes won't give him up cheap, and if i am the Rangers, it all depends on the return.

[OccamsRazor]

They need to target Ghost that is the guy who can help them more in my mind...

[Brewin Flames]

Bruins radio seems to think they could use i guy with jam in front of the net, i'd not mind seeing him in black and gold....