New York fell short of becoming back-to-back Stanley Cup champions by one game. They brought back almost all of their starters who led them to a victory in the 2021-22 Staley Cup Final, but had to wait until the preseason before Adam Fox and Kappo Kakko agreed to re-sign for lower amounts than they were asking. This time around, successful negotiations to re-sign key players for another run is going to be more challenging.

Fox and K’Andre Miller have already told the front office they aren’t interested in re-signing. Nonetheless, Fox will be made a qualifying offer of $5,000,000 and if another team makes an offer and signs him (and we don’t match it), the Rangers will get a 1st-round pick in return. Miller’s situation is different. A qualifying offer would be less than a million dollars and the Rangers will just have to wait and see what offer they’d have to match. Miller will still be offered a long-term contract between $4.50M and $5.00M.

Find a trade partner for Kreider or buyout?

The Rangers tried to trade Chris Kreider by the deadline but couldn’t find any interested takers. Kreider turns 32 and has reached his potential while having 3 years left on his contract totaling over $19.00M. 

A buyout of Kreider’s contract would be $2.16M per year for 6 years, and would free up close to $4M per season in cap space.

Rangers key player negotiations

The Rangers will draft in the 27th spot.

Review the scouts recommended picks and conduct interviews to fill in the unknowns. If that scout’s recommendation is available in the draft, I must select him. If he is not, then the GM will decide who to pick.

Needs TBD.

Make sure to sign draft picks and have them play in the preseason to get evaluated. Also play last year’s picks (or at least 2 of them).