New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider is considered the top rental player on the market and has been for some time. Yet, through it all the Rangers have maintained that they would like to re-sign their All-Star winger. It seems GM Jeff Gorton has finally decided that it’s time to talk details if the two sides are going to work out a deal ahead of the February 24th NHL Trade Deadline. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports that Gorton and Kreider’s agent, Matt Keator, will sit down within the next few days to discuss a contract extension. While LeBrun thinks that it could be a tough extension to work out given Kreider’s status as arguably the second-best potential free agent this summer behind only Arizona’s Taylor Hall. In a weak market, Kreider could capitalize more on a bidding war than he likely would be able to re-signing with New York before testing the waters. However, the career Ranger may also see that he is on an up-and-coming team and wish to stay at the right price. Gorton and Keator will discuss what that number might be in the coming days and a decision on Kreider’s future, one way or another, will be made within the coming weeks.
- He may be 39 and noticeably declining with each season, but the Anaheim Ducks remain interested in bringing back veteran goaltender Ryan Miller for another year. That is, if he wants to play another year. The Orange County Register’s Elliott Teaford writes that Miller has earned the ability to decide how his career will end. Despite his struggles this season, Miller would have value on the trade market if the Ducks were to make him available, but Teaford believes that he will have the final say on a potential move. Miller could decline the opportunity to play for a playoff team down the stretch, as he did last season. He could also accept the trade with the knowledge that he would be welcomed back to Anaheim as a free agent this summer. Miller may also land with a legitimate Cup contender and decide to call it a career after a long playoff run. Or, and the only future the player himself is considering at this time, Miller may just stay in Anaheim and revisit his options in the off-season. While a decision on where Miller will play for the rest of the season must be made within the next few weeks ahead of the trade deadline, there is still time to consider his future beyond this season. However, the cushy role of backup to workhorse John Gibson in sunny Southern California is not a bad way for Miler to continue his career into his 40’s.
- A notable AHL rookie signed an extension on Tuesday. Former Brown and Boston University forward Max Willman signed on for another year with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the team announced. Willman, 24, played five seasons of college hockey, a tenure extended by a senior season at Brown lost to injury. While Willman struggled to get back to full strength with BU last season, he still managed to make enough of an impression on the Philadelphia Flyers to earn a deal with their affiliate. Willman looked like his old self to begin the year, scoring at a point-per-game pace with the ECHL’s Reading Royals. Since being called up to Lehigh, he has three goals and five points in 15 games. The Cape Cod native works hard and plays a smart game and if he can stay healthy and continue to improve, it is not out of the realm of possibility that he could one day be signing an NHL contract.
If the Rangers re-sign Kreider, they are going to have some serious player decisions to make. The team has a $6,083,333 cap hit that they have to carry next season because of their buyout of Shattenkirk. That limits their cap space. Stome, Fast, DeAngelo & Lemeiux all need new contracts. If they sign Kreider for say, $6.5 million a season, the Rangers are going to have to either move on from some of those players or find away to move out bigger contracts
Kevin Hayes got over 7.1 long term. Ain’t no way Krieder signs for 6.5. None, zippo, nada.
Rangers w/5 guys RFA w/arb rights, and 4 UFAs, not including the buried Beleskey. Coupled with the $6.083MM Bleeping-kirk buyout, as Eric stated above, with the additional $1.41MM in buyouts to Girardi & Spooner, means the Rangers are between a rock and another rock. Would be nice to see them keep Kreider, but some tough decisions have to be made by Gorton & Co. Maybe he wants to test the waters, though.
Rangers need to buy out Smith ($4,350,00) and Staal($5,700,000)=( $10,050,000) if correct would be 1/3 of their salaries. If Kreider wants to be a Ranger for the rebuild then can resign for $7-8 million, then give Lundqvist the rest of year to make a decision on moving on or if he accepts buyout or trade or retirement , still believe Georgiev will be traded, even move Lemieux and his $925K , Rangers are in pickle they need to decide now not later , doubt team will make playoffs and they can clear salaries of books and add some draft picks with what they get for Georgiev think they have over $4 million in cap space as is, They need to keep Kreider as Mac indicated.
G. – CapFriendly provides the Calculator tool that muddies the waters for us Barcalounger Bobs. Here’s what I found:
Staal: 2020-21=$3,566,667 2021-22=$1,066,667
Smith: 2020-21=$2,783,333
2021-22 $783,333
This means perpetuating their buyout cap hits for two more years, not just one. I agree with your ideas, though, but it seems like the Rangers will never get out of basically losing a good player’s contract due to their buyout penalties. Eventually, they have to stop the cycle of stupidity and get their heads above water.
Well said, Jabo!
Thanks! Hope you didn’t flat-line through it, since it isn’t the most riveting reading! More thanks are, as usual, due to the good folks at CapFriendly.
Also forgot to mention props to Eric above who got the conversation started. Kreider may end up being the most interesting guy to predict for his next destination, assuming he has to leave NYR.