Photo credit: Sportsnet
Adam Gaudette makes it look easy. 😏
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 17, 2025 ‘ class=”lien_marqueur” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>New York Rangers don’t have the deepest center roster at the moment. While JT Miller was a great addition, it’s a steep dropoff afterwards as they’ll have to look to free agency to fill the gaps. Possible options in 2025 are Trent Frederic, and Adam Gaudette.The New York Rangers do have centers JT Miller, Vinnie Trocheck on lines 1 and 2, and Sam Carrick occupying the 4th.If Mike Sullivan decides to keep Mika Zibanejad on the wing where he’s been excelling, it could lead to a challenging scenario for the Rangers, who need a solid 3rd-line option.
That’s where free agency and Chris Drury come in, as they’ll try to add the kind of depth needed to keep the team in the hunt for a cup. But they’ll have to do it at a bargain, after signing their RFAs, there won’t be much of the $8.42 million of cap space left.
Of course, if they decide to move Carson Soucy ( $3.25 million) and Chris Kreider ($6.5 million) in free agency, they could have more flexibility of choice.
But, if Drury plays it tight to the chest and conservatively, here are a few options of players who could make an impact down the center.
Trent Frederic offers a kind of style the Rangers need. He plays a physical game and can score goals. The 27-year-old has developed into a solid two-way center and had a breakout year under Jim Montgomery in Boston. Now with the Edmonton Oilers playing in the Stanley Cup finals, he’ll get to play his best hockey as GMs across the league observe.
The last two seasons, he’s scored close to twenty goals (18 & 17), but injuries have plagued him this season. He’d be shipped off to Edmonton, thanks to Don Sweeney, and now has found himself in a favorable situation with the Oilers.
He’s played in all 16 playoff games this season, tallied four points (1 goal, 3 assists), leads the team in hits with 59, and has a cap hit of $2.3 million.
Adam Gaudette had a breakout year in Ottawa this season. In an unexpected increase of production, he managed to score 19 goals in 81 games under Travis Green. He’d be a factor against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round, scoring 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) in 6 games, fifth on the team in points.
Gaudette’s prior contract paid him a league minimum of $775K, but he will get a raise. His raise won’t break the bank and could be an affordable option who has found his game in the NHL.
He could be a sneaky add for the 3C position in New York, which hasn’t been settled.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
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Insider reveals several affordable Center options for the New York Rangers during 2025 free agency
Who should GM Chris Drury of the New York Rangers sign in July as the team’s next 3C?