The New York Rangers and Vegas Golden Knights are polar opposites. One is leading the Pacific Division with 33 points entering Monday. The other is 4-6-0 in their past ten games, with rumors of sell-offs getting louder by the day. You can probably guess who's who at this point.
That faltering team is tied with the Philadelphia Flyers in points for a wild card spot, where a simple win will catapult them ahead of that team. Of course, the group being referenced is the New York Rangers, whose free fall has created chaos and anarchy in the NHL.
An underrated Stanley Cup contender to start the season is TIED with the Flyers in points? A team with talented stars such as the unextended Igor Shesterkin, Artemi Panarin, and Adam Fox? There's no way, yet here they are with a record of 13-10-1.
It's a simple reminder that not everything is meant to last in life. That includes world records, social norms, and jobs. Eventually, things will change and the fond memories we once had will feel like yesterday. That's what Ranger fans are experiencing, which is unfortunate for the legendary franchise.
Therefore, the possibility of selling might be a reality. So let's assume the Rangers don't recover from their slump. The Golden Knights hold onto first place in the Pacific Division (or stay in a playoff spot, at least), searching for that home run piece or two. It could set up a potential trade between both squads.
Is that home run piece a reunion with "Golden Misfit," Reilly Smith? No, it isn't. As enticing as reuniting with a former Golden Knights star sounds, there isn't much of an issue with the forward position offensively. Plus, Smith is 33 years old and in the twilight of his hockey career (three goals and nine assists this season). However, another Rangers superstar could be what the Golden Knights need to win their second Stanley Cup in three seasons.
The Vegas Golden Knights should call the New York Rangers about Igor Shesterkin
Yes, the superstar is Igor Shesterkin, whose current $5.67 million AAV deal expires after this season. If the New York Rangers have fallen out of playoff contention in the next two months, that should be a name Kelly McCrimmon should consider.
Why? For one, you'd have the best goaltending tandem in the NHL. Shesterkin and Adin Hill would be an excellent netminder duo, making it tough for opposing teams to score. Hill's turning a corner with a record of 3-1-1, a GAA of 1.97, and a save percentage of .925 in his last five games entering Tuesday.
Why not pair him with the Russian netminder with a proven track record? The former Vezina Trophy winner has an acrobatic style not seen since the Marc-Andre Fleury days. Having the duo in a goaltender-friendly system would do wonders for the Golden Knights.
Plus, you don't even need to keep him for the long haul. The Moscow native's asking price is said to be around the $12-$13 million range, which would be too pricey... for a long-term deal. Kelly McCrimmon has proven that doesn't matter to him as long as he's building a winning team. The only downside would be giving away a boatload of prospects, which McCrimmon doesn't care about, either.
Is a Shesterkin trade realistic?
The proponents above for a Shesterkin acquisition would make the Golden Knights Stanley Cup favorites. They would have the best goaltending tandem in the NHL (on paper) and wouldn't have to commit to a long-term deal, keeping him as a rental. Plus, Kelly McCrimmon is known to have other teams retain a player's salary, making this trade much more manageable.
As enticing as it is, there are other pressing needs for the Golden Knights. For example, a defensive-minded defenseman will help the blue line recover. Considering the Golden Knights are thin on the prospects' side, pulling off a trade of that magnitude would be tough.
Shesterkin isn't playing at the highest level, either. He's allowed 3.69 goals per game and has a save percentage of .903 in his last five games. It wouldn't help the Golden Knights much, considering they haven't been the best defensively, either.
If he's traded anyway, Shesterkin would also want an extension or record-breaking deal. Therefore, that puts the Golden Knights further out of the equation for this deal. McCrimmon has turned his attention to current players hitting free agency next season, meaning money will be taken up elsewhere.
Now, that doesn't mean Adin Hill's getting an extension any time soon. That's specifically true with a litany of goaltending prospects waiting in the wings. Instead, a player like Keegan Kolesar will get that deal, keeping a gritty fourth-line player with the Golden Knights.
Still, crazier things have happened at the trade deadline. Nobody expected McCrimmon to acquire names like Noah Hanifin or Tomas Hertl at last season's trade deadline. It might be the move fans won't expect, which would land another superstar in Sin City. As Kevin Garnett once said...
"Anything is possible!"