from Bob McKenzie of TSN,

The New York Rangers know they shouldn't be in the high-rent(al) district at this trade deadline, but I'll be curious to see if they can resist the temptation.

Especially where it might concern Eric Staal.

The Rangers haven't had a first-round pick since 2012 and they don't have one this year either. Anthony Duclair, a third-round pick who developed like a first-rounder, was sacrificed‎ last year to get Keith Yandle, who is now an expiring contract who can't/won't be re-signed in New York.

Tuesday night's poor effort against New Jersey notwithstanding, the Rangers have played well enough over the last couple of months to not want to shop Yandle in the rental market in an effort to recoup some future considerations. They surely must think they still have a shot; that contending in the East is something they can still see if they squint a bit and don't look too closely in Washington's direction.

But the Rangers also haven’t played so well as to think they're just one notable player away to continue throwing caution to the wind and loading up the mortgage even more. Their current deadline philosophy calls for more cautious spending of lower-level future assets than first-rounders or blue-chip prospects. Or maybe they would consider moving a younger roster player. That is, if they're to add a piece at the deadline‎ - the operative word being if.

But you know how it is when you're in debt. The temptation is always there to go a little deeper. You know, in for a dime, in for a dollar.

And Eric Staal ‎may represent a unique opportunity.

more on Staal and the Rangers...