At the halfway point of the Rangers’ season, fans can’t really ask for much more. Despite defensive warts growing increasingly concerning, a far-from-peak Lundqvist & injuries to key forwards they’ve still fought through 42 games at a 110-point pace. Granted, that’s only good for 4th in an absurdly tough Metro division – but those same 4 teams are also tops in the entire league. All their acquisitions this past off-season have paid off. Vesey started off hot & has shown plenty of promise. Grabner & Holden are two absolute home run bargain-bin fetches. Kreider, Hayes & Miller were signed at friendly (for now) price tags and are having career years. Zibanejad proved pre-injury that he’ll be a two-way stud up the middle for years to come. With he, Buchnevich & Nash ready to step back into the lineup soon after this 5-day vacation there’s a lot to look forward to this second half.

As for what the Blueshirts will do personnel-wise, it’s an interesting time. All moves at the deadline have to have some foresight attached with an expansion draft looming. There’s no slam dunk trade options that will fulfill the team’s dying need for a top-flight RH blueliner to pair with Mac though anyway. Even if St. Louis would part with Shattenkirk it wouldn’t make sense to pay a steep rental price for a guy that’s just gonna sign here this summer. Bringing in another guy under contract for next season won’t happen as they’re already pushing the limits of who they can protect from Vegas. So the odds of Jeff Gorton making the annual Rangers “splash” aren’t high since there aren’t pressing needs anywhere else. That doesn’t mean there’s not a smart move to be made.

See ya, Michael Grabner.

Hear me out – there’s a pretty significant trickle-down effect by moving Grabs. I’m not saying “trade him just to trade him”. He’s clearly been a key to the Rangers success, but they’re deepest on the wings & there’s little doubt Vegas has a bullseye on him. So why lose him for nothing? Coming into the season, names like JT Miller were being thrown around as pieces NY may have to move to acquire anything worthwhile at the deadline. Grabner’s success, skill set & peanuts contract have his value as high as it can be, so Gorton can now make a subtle move without sacrificing upside. A decent pick & an expiring defenseman (Franson, for example) would be a nice haul. No, a guy like Franson isn’t a season-altering add but like I said, that guy isn’t out there. The big man would certainly be an improvement over Girardi/Klein on the right side though, then comes off the books…which is key.

If the Blueshirts are gonna ink Shatty, they gotta make some cap room. Right now they have around $2M. Going into next season, they’ll have about $10M including Grabner (assuming cap doesn’t move) – but they’ve got some guys to sign. Zib has to be locked up long-term so say goodbye to $6M. Then guys like Fast, Lindberg, Pirri, Puempel & even Clendening will at least be extended qualifying offers. That leaves nada for Shattenkirk. Moving Grabner helps there immensely. First, knock off his $1.65M. If Grabs is gone though, Holden is probably the next Vegas target & the Rangers don’t wanna lose him – so buy out Girardi. Saves almost $3M next year AND Holden can now slide in safely to Girardi’s spot on the protected list.

Without Grabner or Holden available, who’s next? Raanta? Maybe…but there will be so many proven starters & younger, controllable future goalie options available that I’m fairly confident the NHL’s newest franchise won’t bother with a 28 year-old career backup who’s gonna bolt as a UFA after 1 season. You know what that means? That means they’ll take Kevin Klein & his $2.9M off the Rangers books. Listen, Vegas isn’t trying to build a winner right off the bat. They’re trying to acquire a competent roster with value – and a veteran RH defender with a relatively cheap expiring contract certainly has that. Don’t forget, they need to pick 30 players that total $44M so they’re not just bargain-hunting. Klein can come in & eat 20 minutes a night along with a decent piece of their salary floor before being shipped at the deadline for some sort of future asset.

Think about it. Trade Grabner for a pick & a d-man that can help down the stretch then come off the books. Buy out Girardi. Protect Holden. Lose Klein to Vegas. Keep the rest of the squad intact & add Shattenkirk. Hardly disrupts what the Blueshirts have going this season while making them exceptionally better afterwards. It all fits – but the first domino has gotta fall.