Lamoriello hire hurts Rangers plan to add Tavares this summer

Lamoriello (Getty Images)

The NY Islanders made it official by hiring Lou Lamoriello yesterday. Almost as soon as the hiring was announced it was revealed that he was already in contact with John Tavares to remain with the team.

Gorton’s Plan B?

At the end of the season Rangers owner, James Dolan made it very clear the Rangers were looking to add a star forward to the lineup this summer. The only person that really fits that bill on the UFA market is center, John Tavares.

If Tavares re-signs with the Islanders the Rangers will be forced to go to plan B. Gorton would have loved to add both Tavares and Kovalchuk to the lineup to give the team a great shot at the post season while developing their young stars. Now, if Tavares is off the table Gorton will need to commit to a full rebuild.

This could also mean the Rangers may opt to not add Ilya Kovalchuk this summer. However, it is widely believed that Kovalchuk is already pretty set on playing for the Rangers and grooming all the young Russians already here and on the way.

Anthony Scultore has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL since 2014. His work also appears at... More about Anthony Scultore

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