The New York Rangers very likely could have had Adam Fox for free in about 16 months. Instead, they sent the 37th overall pick in 2019 and a likely second-round pick in 2020 to Carolina on Tuesday in order to acquire his rights immediately. Is the security and instant gratification worth the price? That’s debatable.
Regardless, the Rangers paying that price indicates a high level of confidence in Fox. Both the numbers and tape indicate that the front office is correct in their judgment of him as a high-caliber talent.
Fox has been an offensive defenseman throughout his entire amateur career, and that will continue to be his identity in pro hockey.