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Do Radko Gudas or Luke Schenn bring up any positive emotions when their names are dropped? Well, they are trade candidate for the Rangers at the end of the year, and GM Chris Drury can trade for them in order to bring some bite to a blue line that’s been missing it all year.The New York Rangers’ blue line was missing some bite this season. It arguably led to the collapse of the defense some nights, as the team moved on from Jacob Trouba, so did the intimidation factor.
While Trouba may not have been the perfect defenseman for the team near the end, he was never afraid to lay a hit.
If K’Andre Miller, who is an RFA and a physical, puck-moving defenseman, is moved this summer, they’ll have to consider adding someone on the left who could add some snarl on the left side. While Miller has some size at 6’5″, 210 pounds, the team will have to find the right kind of talent elsewhere.
There will be enough options available to bring the mean style of play back.
Radko Gudas, Anaheim Ducks
Gudas was pegged as a dirty player in the NHL, as he’d received four suspensions in four years. The games missed would total 21. However, he hasn’t been suspended since 2019, and has figured out how to play a heavy game without receiving major penalties or worse.
Gudas could be a player who would add some physicality to the Rangers team that lacks it, aside from Will Cuylle.
The veteran defenseman added 261 hits in total to the Anaheim Ducks defense this season, along with 178 blocked shots, as he’s not afraid to lay a hit or sacrifice his body to help his team win.
He’s a career plus-91, and his 49.9 expected goal share in 2024-25 was likely depressed by playing for a bad Ducks team – he posted marks of 53 or better the previous three seasons with the Florida Panthers.
Gudas is part of a rebuilding team, paying him $4 million AAV. The Ducks would undoubtedly love to part ways with players who aren’t part of their future plans. The Ducks could retain part of his salary to sweeten the deal.
Though we do have to ponder whether they’d part ways with their Captain, along with a no-trade clause (especially if the Rangers are on it).
Luke Schenn, Winnipeg Jets
Luke Schenn may be 35, but he remains one of the most punishing hitters in the NHL. He’d add 72 hits in 15 games after being acquired by the Jets from the Predators.
His total for this season? 300 in 76 games.
He’s already added two Stanley Cups to his name and is known for his leadership qualities in the NHL. He would add some stability to a chaotic Rangers lineup.
The team would have to figure out how to work his $2.75 million cap hit in the mix, but if the team moves on from some RFAs in July, it could be workable. They might be malleable, considering they have to re-sign Gabe Vilardi and Nikolaj Ehlers.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
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Several defensive free agent New York Rangers GM Chris Drury will be looking at in July
If you were GM Chris Drury of the New York Rangers, which defenseman would you trade for?