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In March, I wrote about 4 gamers on the New York Rangers who gained’t be again subsequent season. I need to revisit the subject now that their season ended in a Game-7 loss to the New Jersey Devils on May 1. New York has dedicated loads of cap area to core gamers akin to Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Chris Kreider, amongst others, and with restricted free brokers Alexis Lafreniere and Ok’Andre Miller needing extensions this offseason, administration doesn’t have a lot to work with this summer time.
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The group shall be making some roster modifications, following their efficiency in the playoffs, and so they’ve already parted methods with head coach Gerard Gallant. Here’s a have a look at 4 gamers who’re unlikely to return for the 2023-24 season.
Vladimir Tarasenko
Vladimir Tarasenko was a major commerce deadline addition made by basic supervisor (GM) Chris Drury. New York felt they wanted an improve at proper wing in their high six. Tarasenko’s title was linked to a number of different organizations, however the Rangers acquired him from the St. Louis Blues in a multi-player deal on Feb. 9.
With the Rangers, Tarasenko scored eight targets and 13 assists in 31 video games. Before the commerce, he had 10 targets and 19 assists in 38 video games with the Blues. Aside from two consecutive injury-plagued common seasons in which he performed 10 video games in 2019-20 and 24 contests in 2020-21, his manufacturing in 2022-23 was among the many lowest of his NHL profession. His 18 targets have been the fewest since he scored eight throughout his rookie season in 2012-13, whereas his 32 assists have been his fewest since he totaled 22 throughout 2013-14.
His efficiency throughout the first-round collection in opposition to the Devils was inconsistent, as he completed with three targets and one help in seven contests. It’s unsure if Tarasenko is on the decline, however he’ll nonetheless seemingly command a multi-year cope with a mean annual worth (AAV) of $5.5-7 million per season on his subsequent contract, and it gained’t be with the Rangers.
Related: Rangers: 3 Free-Agent Destinations for Vladimir Tarasenko
The Rangers can not afford Tarasenko’s potential AAV if Lafreniere and Miller conform to extensions. Unrestricted free agent Tyler Motte ought to return subsequent season after being reacquired on the deadline. Motte can be one other contract that will get in the way in which of the previous Blues ahead returning subsequent season. Look for Tarasekno to signal a multi-year contract with one other playoff-contending membership this summer time.
Barclay Goodrow
Barclay Goodrow looks as if an unlikely participant to be moved, contemplating the contract he signed with New York following his commerce to the membership on July 17, 2021. He is not going to be a free agent till after the 2026-27 season, however administration must unlock cap area, and the 30-year-old has a modified no-trade clause that features a 15-team no-trade record.
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The Journal News reporter Vincent Z. Mercogliano talked about Goodrow as a commerce candidate in the May 2 version of The Jeff Marek Show on Sportsnet 590 The Fan. “A guy like Barclay Goodrow is someone I would keep an eye on,” Mercogliano stated. “He brings a lot of grit and defensive ability that they probably need more of, but (they are) also paying $3.6 million a year for a fourth-liner. If (the Rangers) were able to move that salary, that would maybe open some slots where (the organization) could target guys that would add speed to this lineup.”
Goodrow is underrated as a defense-first ahead, however Drury shall be exploring all his choices this offseason to enhance the membership. To Mercogliano’s level, the GM might purchase or signal gamers recognized for his or her velocity because it was a obtrusive weak spot throughout their first-round collection in opposition to the Devils, and to unlock cap area and enhance the roster, he is likely to be pressured to commerce a participant like Goodrow.
Kaapo Kakko or Alexis Lafreniere
Kaapo Kakko (second-overall decide) and Lafreniere (first-overall decide) have been chosen by the Rangers in the 2019 and 2020 NHL Drafts, respectively. Both have had blended outcomes in their time in New York. Neither has blossomed right into a top-six participant like different excessive picks in latest years, and former head coach David Quinn obtained criticism for the way he dealt with the enjoying time of his younger gamers. In Gallant’s two seasons behind the Rangers’ bench, he has favored enjoying veterans over younger forwards.
Do Kakko and Lafreniere have a future in New York’s high six? The Rangers is probably not the most effective membership for them to obtain regular minutes. If Tarasenko and Patrick Kane signal elsewhere this offseason, Kakko would have a chance to play a bigger role on the right wing. However, there may be additionally the prospect that administration provides offensive gamers, which is able to once more restrict Kakko’s ice time.
Lafreniere continues to be caught behind Panarin and Kreider. Both forwards are locked into long-term contracts, and Panarin has a no-movement clause. Kakko and Lafreniere’s futures with the Rangers are in query. Even if it’s unlikely each are traded throughout the identical offseason, it’s potential one shall be moved this summer time.
Patrick Kane
Aside from Game 2 in opposition to the Devils when he scored a aim and two assists, Kane struggled to be a difference-maker. He was clearly restricted by a hip damage that has bothered him for the previous few seasons. Unless he undergoes surgical procedure or therapy this offseason, his manufacturing will proceed to say no.
Like Tarasenko, Kane desires to play for a workforce whose Cup window shall be open for the following few years. At the second, it’s tough to know in which path the Rangers are headed. Their lack of cap area, their disappointing efficiency in the 2023 Playoffs, and the top teaching change have created uncertainty across the group. Kane would possibly need to signal with a membership that’s nonetheless in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Management has to determine whether or not signing him to a multi-year deal is in their finest curiosity.
Miller is one other younger participant who wants a brand new deal after an underwhelming postseason. Drury might commerce him as an alternative of Kakko or Lafreniere, however contemplating he’s a top-four defenseman, the membership will seemingly hold him. However, if Miller is traded, New York might deliver again Niko Mikkola on an reasonably priced contract.
The Rangers are at a crossroads this offseason. Panarin, Zibanejad, Kreider, Adam Fox, and Jacob Trouba are all signed to costly contracts with no-movement clauses (besides Fox). It is unlikely Drury will transfer Zibanejad or Fox, nor ought to he. Kreider and Trouba every have 15-team no-trade clauses, however they don’t start till 2024-25. Drury should make some robust choices this offseason to search out some cap area.
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