Whereas the Stanley Cup Closing rages on, NHL common managers are getting busy. We’ve seen some trades, waiver claims, and swirling rumors of buy-out candidates, gearing us up for an thrilling offseason. The New York Rangers had been on the forefront of the exercise, inserting veteran Barclay Goodrow on waivers on Tuesday.
Goodrow, who has three years left with an annual cap hit of roughly $3.6 million, was claimed by the San Jose Sharks. The transfer reportedly ruffled some feathers, however Rangers common supervisor Chris Drury wanted the cap house, not only for this season, however for the following offseason when key gamers like Igor Shesterkin and Alexis Lafreniere might be due enormous paydays.
With Goodrow off the books, the Rangers now have simply north of $12.8 million in cap house to assault their remaining roster holes. A primary-line proper wing is a should, whereas locking up Braden Schneider and deciding on Ryan Lindgren’s future are additionally excessive priorities. Drury is trying to find massive our bodies and gifted forwards who can mesh with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider on the highest line or complement the underside six.
Throughout the nation, there’s a Vegas Golden Knights roster that has little cap flexibility and notable names needing new contracts. It’s the proper place for the Blueshirts’ GM to begin his search, with a number of choices to select from.
Free Agent Forwards on the Golden Knights
The Golden Knights are infamous for utilizing long-term injured reserve (LTIR) to their benefit, bolstering their roster forward of every playoff run. After including Tomas Hertl and re-signing Noah Hanifin, Vegas is left with slightly below $1.2 million in cap house, with some notable gamers unsigned for subsequent season.
It’s virtually sure that a few of their unrestricted free brokers (UFA) will play elsewhere in 2024-25. How their common supervisor, Kelly McCrimmon, decides to control the roster by way of trades or signings will in the end decide who is on the market. From the Rangers’ perspective, their state of affairs is ripe for the selecting. Listed below are some choices.
Jonathan Marchessault, RW
One of many authentic ‘misfits,’ Jonathan Marchessault, has been a distinguished member of the Golden Knights because the growth draft. He gained the Conn Smythe Trophy as postseason MVP in 2023 when Vegas gained the franchise’s first Stanley Cup. He doesn’t have the dimensions Drury appears to be on the hunt for, at 5-foot-9, however there isn’t a denying his postseason prowess.
The 33-year-old UFA scored 42 objectives in the course of the 2023-24 season. He’s coming off a six-year contract that pays him $5 million yearly. His subsequent contract stays to be seen, however getting into his age 34 season, he possible will command an analogous price ticket. Marchessault is an intriguing candidate to fill the right-wing void alongside Zibanejad and Kreider. His shot and talent to complete can be a welcome sight for the Blueshirts.
The Quebec native just isn’t the prototypical playmaker at five-on-five, ending with a 49.26 Corsi-for (CF%) this season, per Pure Stat Trick. If the objective is so as to add him to the best facet of the primary line, that may very well be a draw back to a duo that already struggles at even-strength manufacturing.
Anthony Mantha, LW or RW
Anthony Mantha brings measurement and ability, a mix that may be a precedence for the Rangers. The 6-foot-5 winger signed his final contract with the Detroit Purple Wings earlier than being dealt to the Washington Capitals and ultimately the Golden Knights at the newest commerce deadline.
He scored 58 factors throughout his two groups this season, however his manufacturing has not lived as much as the $5.7 million AAV he signed for. At simply 29, Mantha is an intriguing choice resulting from his potential match on the Rangers and contract time period not being as detrimental as it could be for an older participant.
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Mantha’s 54.41 CF% was third on Vegas, and his 50.47 CF% with Washington was good for fourth. He can be the puck-possession participant the primary line has been searching for, however his inconsistent manufacturing may very well be a downside.
Chandler Stephenson, C or LW
Chandler Stephenson additionally has ties to the Capitals and Golden Knights. At 30 years previous and on the heels of a $2.75 million AAV, Stephenson may very well be due for a pay increase. After placing up over 60 factors in every of the final two seasons, 2023-24 was a down yr for the ahead, who tallied simply 51.
He is an efficient faceoff man, profitable 52.6% of his attracts this season, and has good puck-handling abilities. At 6 ft and 209 kilos, the Canadian has a bodily presence and is flexible, shifting all through the lineup to fill totally different positions. Though not a candidate for the top-line function the Rangers want, Stephenson can be a pleasant depth add to assist solidify the underside six, particularly after one other injury-riddled yr for Filip Chytil.
Vegas’ Position Gamers Out there in Free Company
With Goodrow’s departure, the Rangers may look so as to add exterior assist to their fourth line ought to they select to not make the most of inside assist from gamers resembling Adam Edstrom, Matt Rempe, and Jonny Brodzinski. Each William Service and Michael Amadio are dependable depth provides whom Drury may pursue.
Service has been a presence in Vegas’ backside six throughout their playoff runs, using his measurement (6-foot-2, 220 kilos) to be a heavy presence on the forecheck. He’s dependable defensively and has good five-on-five metrics for a fourth-line ahead, posting a 53.89 CF%.
With simply 39 video games performed this season, Service is an damage threat, however when wholesome, he has confirmed to be a really efficient participant. His teammate, Amadio, has emerged throughout his three seasons with Vegas. The 6-foot-1 ahead has scored 27 factors in his previous two seasons, posting 16 and 14 objectives, respectively.
Each forwards can be comparatively cheap additions for the Rangers. They’d add a veteran presence to the fourth line and improve the roster’s general depth. There are a number of intriguing choices obtainable from the Golden Knights camp that Drury ought to intently contemplate. The Rangers want ahead assist, significantly on the best facet, and Vegas has free-agent choices who may present simply what the Blueshirts want.
