Breaking: Rangers Closing In On Deal To Sign 33 Year Old Golden Knights Winger.

The New York Rangers need to strengthen their roster depth at right wing, and they will have plenty of choices when free agency opens on July 1.

According to Dane Walsh of Forever Blueshirts, the New York Rangers should explore chasing Vegas Golden Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault.

“It is evident that the New York Rangers need one or two more players to help them advance to the next level. “One option to consider is unrestricted free agent forward Jonathan Marchessault of the Vegas Golden Knights,” Walsh wrote. “This goes against the notion that the Rangers need to get younger, bigger, and stronger, but Marchessault could be a difference maker as a top-six right wing, playing either with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider or on any new line configuration.”

Marchessault, who was one of the Knights’ initial members when they originally entered the NHL, will be available for free agency on July 1.

Walsh feels Marchessault’s expertise and scoring abilities may dramatically improve the Rangers’ offensive lineup. However, this notion carries some risks that the Rangers should consider if they decide to pursue the forward in July.

Walsh contends that, despite the Rangers’ recent emphasis on obtaining younger, larger, and stronger players, Marchessault’s signing could be the move that propels New York over the postseason threshold.

The Rangers recently won more regular-season games than any other organization in 2024, earning the Presidents’ Trophy. The postseason, however, was a whole different scenario. Florida defeated New York in the conference finals, and the Rangers failed to reach the Stanley Cup Final for the tenth straight season.

Marchessault, who had a great 2024 season in Vegas, scoring 42 goals, Walsh believes, would bring a plethora of expertise and proven postseason experience to the team. The winger previously won the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, which helped the Knights capture their first championship.

“Marchessault is coming off a 42-goal season with the Golden Knights, setting an NHL career high in his 11th season. “He finished with 69 points, just short of his 75-point career high,” Walsh wrote. “He’s a seven-time 20-goal scorer and has hit 30 or more three times. He’s tough and reliable, and he’d be a significant upgrade for the Rangers.”

Marchessault’s 69-point 2024 season was a near-career high, falling just 6 points shy of 75. Walsh noted that in 102 career postseason games, Marchessault has 76 points and a plus-37 rating.

“His lack of size does not deter Marchessault when the games get more difficult,” Walsh stated in reference to the playoffs. Marchessault won the title and the Conn Smythe Award in 2023 after scoring 25 points in 22 postseason games.

In separate reports released in June, Greg Wyshynski of ESPN and Peter Baugh of The Athletic named Marchessault a top free agent.

Wyshynski classifies Marchessault as a “Tier 1: Impact Player” free agent, which is defined as a “established player who can play key roles immediately for a team” in his ranks.

“Marchessault has watched a roster of original Golden Misfits depart from Las Vegas owing to age and salary cap reasons. Wyshynski noted, “He’s the leading scorer in Golden Knights history and won the Conn Smythe Trophy during their Stanley Cup championship season in 2023.”

Baugh highlighted the Rangers’ right wing options, highlighting Marchessault’s high market worth. The reporter did, however, admit that signing him might be difficult for the Rangers.

“Marchessault feels like a long shot. He is coming off a 42-goal season and the 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy, so he will likely be costly. The 33-year-old would undoubtedly add to the Rangers’ squad if Drury could make a deal happen, and the veteran is a proven postseason performer,” Baugh said.

Walsh made sure to give some cautionary details about the financial elements and risks of signing Marchessault. The analyst believes it is critical for the Rangers to avoid long-term commitments that may not pay off as Marchessault ages beyond his current age of 33 years.

“If the Rangers are willing to pursue Marchessault, they must do so with some caution,” according to Walsh. “It would not be wise to overspend for the forward, as his production will inevitably start to decline in years to come.”

Marchessault just concluded a six-year, $30 million contract with a $5 million annual cap hit. Walsh believes the Rangers might offer the veteran a “two- or three-year contract, even in the $7 million per range,” which he considers “a great move.”

The Rangers enter the offseason with $13.7 million in salary space after the San Jose Sharks claimed Barclay Goodrow on June 19.