It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We’re nearing the end of the 2024-25 season, but thoughts have already drifted to that of the off-season. Teams that didn’t make the Stanley Cup Playoffs have already gotten to work reshaping their rosters. We’ve already seen a few trades made, but more could be coming. The work really picks up with the NHL Draft and start of free agency looming.
One team that’s already gotten to work on some major roster moves is the New York Rangers. This edition of NHL rumours deals with how they may not be done yet.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
New York Rangers May Not be Done Clearing Out Salary Cap Space
Rumour: Arthur Staple of The Athletic said the Blueshirts may not be done making moves to make salary cap space. Staple said the Rangers are trying to get some cap flexibility ahead of free agency this summer.
Analysis: The Rangers have already done some major moves by dealing Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks. Kreider was a long-time fixture in the Rangers lineup, but Rangers General Manager Chris Drury needed to make room.
Getting Kreider’s $6.5 million cap hit off the books was key. However, more work may need to be done. New York has $16 million cap space, but only has 16 players under contract coming into the 2025-26 season.
Drury will probably have to do more trimming from the cap in order to get the funds to make changes. The Rangers were among the favourites to make a deep post-season run. However, the team never really got off the blocks and fell way short of expectations.
A number of changes have already made made with Mike Sullivan replacing Peter Laviolette behind the bench. However, Drury likely isn’t done making over the roster.
What It Means
One name that Staple mentions is K’Andre Miller. The former University of Wisconsin product is a restricted free agent and one wonders what his fate will be. According to Staple, the Rangers likely won’t offer a lot of term. The Rangers could offer a two-year bridge deal at around $5 million to get Miller to unrestricted free agency. New York could also deal Miller and try filling the roster spot with someone else.
One wonders if Miller could be an offer sheet target. Staple stated that a team could come in and force Drury’s hand. An average cap hit of $4.68 million and $7 million would yield the Rangers a first-round and third-round choice as compensation.
Staple added that the Rangers have expressed interest in signing Los Angeles Kings defenceman Vladislav Gavrikov to bolster their blueline. However, getting more cap space would be needed.
The Rangers could also deal the inconsistent Alexis Lafreniere and his $7.45 million cap hit. However, it could be a problem getting fair trade value back. We could also see names like Mika Zibanejad and Carson Soucy in trade rumours. However, both players have full no-trade clauses. Dealing Zibanejad and Soucy would save $8.5 million and $3.26 million, respectively. That money could net savings that the Rangers could apply to fix other areas in their lineup.
Main photo by: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
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