Rangers' Top Players to Target and Avoid at 2022 NHL Trade Deadline

The New York Rangers are primed to make a playoff run for the first time in several years. But despite sitting third in the Metropolitan Division with a 37-17-5 record, they will need reinforcements in order to do so.

The Metropolitan is tight, and with the trade deadline coming up March 21, the Rangers almost certainly will be buyers.

While the Rangers may have to part ways with some valuable young players and draft capital, adding some proven talent ahead of the deadline could help the team make its deepest playoff run since the 2014-15 season, when it reached the Eastern Conference Final.

Let's take a look at some possible trade targets for the franchise and one player it should avoid.

Anaheim Ducks winger Rickard Rakell has become expendable this year because of the emergence of 2015 fifth-round pick Troy Terry, who is playing on the team's top line alongside Max Comtois and Adam Henrique. 

Rakell is in the midst of a productive season despite playing further down the lineup, tallying 16 goals and 12 assists in 51 games. Eleven of his 16 goals have come at even strength, which would be an asset for a Rangers team that has struggled to score consistently at five-on-five.

The Rangers have scored just 110 goals this season in five-on-five action, which is one of the worst marks in the league, according to Natural Stat Trick.

Rakell has also been a consistent point-getter throughout his 10-year NHL career. In 550 games, he has 154 goals and 185 assists for 339 points. The numbers aren't eye-popping by any means, but the Blueshirts could undoubtedly use someone like Rakell, who would be a solid middle-six scoring option for any contending team.

The 28-year-old is also set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2021-22 campaign, so he shouldn't cost nearly as much as a player with term.

Phil Kessel is still a productive winger in the NHL at 34, and like Rackell, he is considered to be one of the top pending unrestricted free agents available leading up to the deadline.

Considering the Rangers could use a top-six right winger, Kessel should be on their radar. The 2006 fifth overall pick has six goals and 29 assists in 58 games for the hapless Arizona Coyotes this season. While his numbers aren't necessarily impressive, Kessel's playoff experience would be a significant add for a Rangers squad that doesn't have much postseason experience.

Kessel has played in the playoffs in eight of his 16 NHL seasons, winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He's a significant performer in the postseason too, tallying 34 goals and 47 assists in 96 playoff games.

It could be somewhat difficult for the Rangers to acquire Kessel, though. His experience and scoring touch should draw significant interest from around the league, and some of the top contenders will likely be eyeing him as the deadline nears.

Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux is one of the most enticing trade candidates this season. With 18 goals and 24 assists in 56 games for the woeful Flyers, he is one of the best forwards expected to be available at the deadline.

However, he is an obvious player for the Rangers to avoid.

Considering he plays in the same division, Philadelphia could try to ask for more from the Rangers in exchange for Giroux than it would from other teams. On top of picks, the Flyers could ask for some of New York's top prospects, and moving some of those players wouldn't be reasonable for a team that has undergone its own rebuild over the past few years.

In addition, Giroux would be a rental for the Rangers and after the season is done, he could end up re-signing with the Flyers, with whom he has spent his entire NHL career. Giving up significant assets for a player who could return to the team you acquired him from wouldn't make sense.

There are plenty of other options for the Rangers, some of whom could also be better fits than the 34-year-old, who has only 12 points in his past 28 postseason games.