New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin, center, celebrates his goal against the San Jose Sharks with teammate Alexis Lafreniere (13) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)
Whether fans want to admit it or not, most of the New York Rangers who took the ice for their Game 7 loss to the New Jersey Devils will return for the 2023 season.
That’s what happens when 14 members of last year’s team are still under contract while two others are RFA’s.
With Peter Laviolette now named the next head coach for the Bluesshirts, all eyes now turn to the offseason and the 2023 NHL Draft to see where the Rangers will go to improve their team. New York will need to make important decisions on some younger players while also determining which of their current pending free agents they will let walk.
In short, there’s a lot of pressure on general manager Chris Drury to get the right players on the major league team to put them over the hump in a tough division and conference.
That being said, let’s take a look at the moves the Rangers need to make over the next month to move past their playoff woes.
Cap Space (Per CapFriendly): $11.7 Million
Offseason Checklist
Trade Barclay Goodrow
Trading Goodrow is arguably the first move Drury should make before free agency to add significant cap space to their haul. Taking $3.6 million off the books would give New York over $15 million in space which should be more than enough to bring back their young core, while also keeping them involved in some of the bigger names of free agency. While it would hurt the fourth line now, it’s a move that sets the Rangers up nicely for the season.
Re-sign K’Andre Miller and Alexis Lafreniere
Both Miller and Lafreniere are RFA’s this offseason which means New York will have their rights unless they are beaten by a better offer. It’s doubtful that either of the two young players will end up…
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