Karel Vejmelka and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen are on the Rangers' radar, giving New York a way out of the Connor Hellebuyck sweepstakes.
Elliotte Friedman said on 32 Thoughts that both goalies are among the names the Rangers have scouted.
Friedman doesn't see New York chasing Hellebuyck himself. But whatever Chris Drury does in net could set off a chain reaction across the league.
The need is real after Saturday's 1-0 overtime loss in Columbus. Igor Shesterkin is out for the season with a knee injury, and Joonas Korpisalo is on injured reserve until at least Nov. 9.
Dylan Garand has carried the load with a .927 save percentage and a shutout.
Friedman has pushed back on any panic. Even so, he believes the Rangers feel they can do better as they push to stay near the top of the Metropolitan.
Vejmelka is the name that jumps out. He has three more years at $4,750,000 after this one, a deal Friedman called pretty good value even for a 1B.
Igor Shesterkin's injury left Chris Drury hunting for help
His start in Utah has been rocky at .879, though he's still won five games and posted a shutout.
He's the smart play. A goalie under control at that price beats paying $8,500,000 for one who's been sitting out.
Hellebuyck is the luxury sedan everybody admires in the showroom. The Utah netminder is the dependable pickup that starts every single morning.
Luukkonen is the other option. The Buffalo goalie carries an identical cap hit but sits at .860 this season.
That one comes with a twist. Buffalo is the team most linked to Hellebuyck, so a Sabres deal for him could shake Luukkonen loose.
There's a long shot too. Friedman heard that Scott Clemmensen was in Calgary when Anaheim visited, likely to get a look at Ville Husso.
Husso is at .935, but Friedman doubts the Ducks part with him given their thin depth in goal.
Winnipeg isn't in a hurry either. Friedman believes the Jets prefer no deal over a bad one, and after Saturday's loss, Adam Lowry and Scott Arniel made it clear the room has moved on.
Paying someone to stay home isn't easy, though. “I don't care how much money you've got, nobody likes that,” Friedman said.
The Rangers visit Toronto on Thursday, one day before Hellebuyck's suspension window closes. Whatever Drury decides, the goalie market could look very different by the weekend.
Should the Rangers trade for Karel Vejmelka instead of chasing Connor Hellebuyck?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Dylan Larkin trade reportedly nearing in Detroit
