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Possible Rangers free agent target ‘likely going to market,’ not re-signing with Sharks
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- Possible Rangers free agent target ‘likely going to market,’ not re-signing with Sharks
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Though the 2026 NHL free agent class is diluted heavily due to one star player after another re-signing with his current team, it appears one top target is "likely going to market," per NHL insider Elliotte Friedman. And the New York Rangers should take notice.
Friedman reported on his latest 32 Thoughts podcast that contract talks between Mario Ferraro and the San Jose Sharks are not going anywhere, roughly five weeks before the 27-year-old defenseman can become an unrestricted free agent July 1.
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"I was just checking around and I heard that it's likely he's going to go to UFA," Friedman said Friday . "It just doesn't sound like there's been a lot of movement with him and the Sharks … again, anything can change with one phone call, but that one seems likely going to market."
Ferraro could be an intriguing option to slot in on New York's second defense pair, and partner either with Will Borgen or Braden Schneider . It'd be the second straight offseason that the Rangers made a major upgrade on the left side of their defense corps, after signing Vladislav Gavrikov to a seven-year, $49 million contract to play on the top pair alongside Adam Fox last summer.
Gavrikov was a smash success during his first year on Broadway. And Ferraro would be a popular addition, cut from the same cloth as heart-and-soul former Rangers blueliner Ryan Lindgren . Ferraro led the Sharks with 150 blocked shots last season, tied for 16th among all NHL skaters in that category. Schneider led the Rangers with 140 blocks as a point of reference. Ferraro also had 137 hits, fourth most on the Sharks, and tops among their defensemen .
Like Lindgren, it's fair to question how Ferraro will age playing this brand of hockey, considering his size (5-foot-11, 200 pounds). But he did play all 82 games this season, averaging 21:02 TOI. And he played at least 78 games in each of the past three season after having trouble staying healthy earlier in his career.
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Though not a big-time scorer, Ferraro is a capable puck mover, checking off another box for the Rangers. And if signed, that would greatly deepen the New York's blue line, allowing rookie Drew Fortescue to gain valuable pro experience with Hartford of the American Hockey, before pushing Matthew Robertson for playing time on the Rangers' third pair.
Why Rangers could consider free agent defenseman Mario Ferraro
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
If it all sounds too good to be true, well, it just might be. One of the things that made Ferraro such an appealing trade candidate the past two years was his affordable $3.25 million salary-cap hit . If he hits the open market this summer, Ferraro's going to look to be paid handsomely, and likely will have his demands met by some team out there.
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Due to his age, skill set, and intangibles, you can argue that Ferraro sets up as the best left-shot option out there among free-agent defensemen. Interestingly, the right side is more loaded with options, including Rasmus Andersson of the Vegas Golden Knights , and Anaheim Ducks teammates Jacob Trouba and John Carlson .
Let's see if the Sharks let Ferraro get to July 1 without a contract. All of their top defensemen, except for Dmitry Orlov , are free agents this summer. Ferraro is the most important one, and Friedman's report seems to indicate that he's ready to test the waters.
The Rangers can't pay Ferraro more than Gavrikov's $7 million AAV, nor should they want to. But if they can slot him in at their price — as they did with Gavrikov last summer — then Chris Drury and Co. must make it happen.
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