Offseason Recap

The Rangers did all they could to keep much of their Stanley Cup championship roster intact. Of the twelve players filling the offenses four lines, only Nick Cousins will not return after the Rangers decided not to offer an extension.

The organization was forced to look for insurance due to Adam Fox and Kappo Kakko receiving qualifying offers and holding out into the preseason before accepting one-year contracts amounting to half of what they were seeking. The free agents signed were RW/LW Reilly Smith (1 year, $4.8M), C/LW Andrew Copp (3 years, $4,62M per season).

After Fox and Kakko agreed to terms, the Rangers traded away Barclay Goodrow to Vancouver for draft picks in order to free up cap space.

The 2022-23 roster, draft picks, and projected lineups

Free Agent Signings

G Braden Holtby signed to 1 year, $1,650,000
RW/LW Reilly Smith signed to 1 year, $4,800,000
C/LW Andrew Copp signed to 3 years, $4,625,000 per season

Rangers negotiations

C/RW Ryan Strome re-signed to 6-year contract worth $6.05M per season
LW Alexis Lafraniere re-signed to a 1-year contract worth $3.32M
C/LW Greg McKegg re-signed to a 2-year contract worth $1.12M per season
RW Sammy Blais accepted qualifying offer
RW Victor Kravtsov accepted qualifying offer
LD Libor Hajek accepted qualifying offer
RW Kappo Kakko re-signed to 1-year, $3.80M contract
D Adam Fox re-signed to 1-year, $5.00M contract

Rangers made qualifying offers to the following players:

RD Adam Fox, RW Kappo Kakko, RW Sammy Blais, RW Victor Kravtsov, LD Libor Hajek

Winning back-to-back Stanley Cup titles is normally a tough fete to accomplish, but within the last seven seasons, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning proved it’s possible. Now it’s up the the New York Rangers to join the exclusive club.

The addition of Alexander Radulov solved the Micah Zibanejad resigning problem, and Radulov turned out to be a valuable asset in the playoffs by finishing second in points (20), tying for most assists, and scoring 8 goals (including two game-winners). The Rangers want to keep him paired with Artemi Panarin, and Ryan Strome (UFA) on the 1st line where there’s great chemistry. To do so, the Rangers will need to re-sign Strome who is seeking a deal worth $5.80M.

For the 2nd line to remain intact, the Rangers would need to re-sign RFAs Alexis Lafraniere and Kappo Kakko. Both players were key to winning the Stanley Cup and Lafraniere won the MVP of the playoffs. Offers to Lafraniere and Kappo are on the table, but center Nick Cousins might be expendable. Lafraniere’s re-signing will be a top-priority.

Their will be an open wallet to bring back Elite-defenseman Adam Fox. New York is expected to make his re-signing a top priority.

Rangers key player negotiations