GDT: Free Agent Frenzy

[archanfelnsx]

St. Louis over Chicago? Yikes. I think your list has lost some credibility haha.

St. Louis is nicer then most people think. Lots of players who played there love settling down there. Chicago itself is not great, some of the suburbs though are top notch.

 

[kovazub94]

I get the feeling that there just wasn't a great deal of interest from the Rangers even if there was an offer.

...
c. Smart practice would still be to bring Fast back on a good contract and sort it out later.

Same. Something isn’t adding up

huh, i thought Jesper under $3M would have been a good value. 3 years at $2AAV? Feels like Gorton missed the bus on this one.

Don’t want to pick on you but I definitely feel that some of our posters don’t ever READ (just skim) other posts or if they do it doesn’t register.

@GAGLine was writing alarming posts for a couple of months. @RangerBoy came back and one of his first posts was about the Rangers constraints.

That’s why it was almost a guarantee that at least two of Lundqvist, Staal and Smith won’t be on the team (even though we spent pages of talking about Lundqvist’s future).

This is the only reason for Fast taking THIS contract elsewhere (have nothing to do with his like / dislike of big cities).

Otherwise I do sense the roster is not final and Gorton is working on trades and watching other teams with little cap room and still incomplete rosters.

 

[archanfelnsx]

Fast is getting older but for $2M they should have kept him as a veteran leader. The Rangers probably think they have enough vets but Fast is versatile enough to play up and down the lineup. Ideally he is a bottom 6 forward on your team with Kakko taking his place on that second line. Nothing but gratitude for him for everything he has done.

 

[howztheglass]

The Rangers will have $10,062,500 in performance bonuses with Alexis Lafrenière at $2,850,000. Max bonuses.

The bonus cushion is 7.5% of the $81.5M upper limit. $6,112,500. The Rangers can't exceed that amount.

The Rangers will need to leave $3,950,000 in space. So whatever number the Rangers end up with will need to leave that amount of space to start the season in January.

ARTICLE 50 50.5-50.5



Once the bonus is unreachable, the Rangers will have more space. Not right now.
Can't exceed the 7.5%. $6,112,500. The Rangers will have $10,062,500.



Any bonuses exceeding the $81,500,000 upper limit are rolled over to the 2021-22 cap.

The NHL MOU allowed teams to spread out their bonus overage in 2019-20 between the next two seasons. Just for this off season.





Re-sign the 4 arbitration bound group II free agents. Say it will cost $13M for all 4 players. The Rangers have around ~$8M left with Lafrenière at $925,000. Fill out the roster. Is Brendan Smith a defenseman or a winger? He has played more wing than defense in the last two seasons. The Rangers don't have much flexibility. Maybe they don't want to carry a bonus overage into 21-22. The Rangers have ~$4M to play with after leaving space for the bonuses. The Rangers couldn't give Jesper Fast $2M.

If Morgan Barron and/or Vitaly Kravtsov are on the team, they both have $850,000 in bonuses.

It is complicated.

Thank you for breaking it down in a much easier way to understand the Rangers bonus issues.

Some have said this would be a problem but broken down this way you can see there's a reason as to why the Rangers are not running out and buying players--not even shopping at the second tier--more AHL players.

 

[kovazub94]

The Rangers will have $10,062,500 in performance bonuses with Alexis Lafrenière at $2,850,000. Max bonuses.

The bonus cushion is 7.5% of the $81.5M upper limit. $6,112,500. The Rangers can't exceed that amount.

The Rangers will need to leave $3,950,000 in space. So whatever number the Rangers end up with will need to leave that amount of space to start the season in January.
Once the bonus is unreachable, the Rangers will have more space. Not right now.

When will unreachable amount get crystallized?

 

[NYR Viper]

So, for those a little slow before coffee, what is the total cap hit the Rangers can go into the season with? $70m? $65m?

 

[Jayan]

Are we done?

 

[kovazub94]

Figured we were/are very tight on the cap, but what I don't understand is why they couldn't keep such a valuable glue guy at $2M? Get rid of Smith FFS, even if you need to throw in a draft pick to get it done! It's lunacy any way you look at it!

1. Letting Smith go require a replacement D that should be extremely cheap. Would you like another JJ?

2. Smith allows the team to carry only 21 roster players since he could be insurance at either forward or defenseman positions.

 

[GAGLine]

So, for those a little slow before coffee, what is the total cap hit the Rangers can go into the season with? $70m? $65m?

It depends on which players make the team. Every potential bonus dollar above 6.1125 mil has to be subtracted from our cap space.

For example, if Kravtsov makes the team, he will cost us 1.775 mil against the cap. 925k for his cap hit and another 850k for potential performance bonuses. Whether or not he earns those bonuses is a separate issue.

 

[kovazub94]

Well, if the Rangers really do have a legitimate concern regarding the performance bonuses and arbitration awards, then I'm glad to know they're on top of it. Seems crazy that we couldn't fit a $2M contract but if that's the mathematical reality then so be it.

Same. There might be some wiggle room once the bonus limit is determined but Fast couldn’t and should not have waited on the Rangers situation to get resolved.

 

[howztheglass]

The best signing so far this off-season is the Kinkaid.

Kinkaid now allows the Rangers to expose a goalie other then Geo.

Shesty and Geo for the next couple years until Wall or Huska are ready to take away Geo back up roll.

Rooney will most likely be that 13th forward.

 

[NYR Viper]

It depends on which players make the team. Every potential bonus dollar above 6.1125 mil has to be subtracted from our cap space.

For example, if Kravtsov makes the team, he will cost us 1.775 mil against the cap. 925k for his cap hit and another 850k for potential performance bonuses. Whether or not he earns those bonuses is a separate issue.

So let’s assume worst case scenario and Kravtsov, Miller and Barron make the team (because I would imagine Gorton doesn’t want to stone-wall one of them if they prove ready).

Guys like Khoderenko and Reunanen do not have those bonuses correct?

 

[nyr2k2]

It depends on which players make the team. Every potential bonus dollar above 6.1125 mil has to be subtracted from our cap space.

For example, if Kravtsov makes the team, he will cost us 1.775 mil against the cap. 925k for his cap hit and another 850k for potential performance bonuses. Whether or not he earns those bonuses is a separate issue.

Thanks for explaining this in straightforward terms.

 

[Vitto79]

Are we done?

I would say no given all the Name still available but it’s going to be cheap bargains only

Does Strome w Smith attached have anyone bite for free? I think NYR wants Haula

 

[Rangers in 7]

Scarsdale? Greenwich? Various parts of NY, NJ, and CT? There are literally too many to list.

My dream home is somewhere in Colorado. I love cold weather. Mountains. Insane views. But also diversity too.

You can play for the Avalanche w/o living 20min from their practice facility.

Again — I imagine most vets with families that have tenure live in a sweet f***ing suburb that’s 30~ min away from their arena vs a rental property that’s 10-15 min away.

Hahah I wasn’t sure if you had a specific place in mind. I love 30 minutes by train from manhattan and it’s just lovely

 

[Vitto79]

1. Letting Smith go require a replacement D that should be extremely cheap. Would you like another JJ?

2. Smith allows the team to carry only 21 roster players since he could be insurance at either forward or defenseman positions.

I’d like Hajek or Reunanen to earn a spot . Smith going is ideal. 2 guys at min salary saves 2 million roughly off the cap

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

It depends on which players make the team. Every potential bonus dollar above 6.1125 mil has to be subtracted from our cap space.

For example, if Kravtsov makes the team, he will cost us 1.775 mil against the cap. 925k for his cap hit and another 850k for potential performance bonuses. Whether or not he earns those bonuses is a separate issue.

I think that’s one of the reasons why it’s so complicated for us to understand this. A lot is contingent on roster decisions. I’m sure the NYR want to give themselves as much space and flexibility as possible.

Not only to ice the best roster that the coach wants and make training camp meaningful. But also for player relationships. I saw an idea about starting Laf in the AHL for 1 game so the 82 gp bonus is impossible. IMO that’s a bad way to handle the relationship with your 1OA pick and the NYR will not approach it that way. They will give Laf and Co. every opportunity to earn the bonuses they are entitled to.

Full credit to you @GAGLine for being way out in front of the curve on this one.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

So let’s assume worst case scenario and Kravtsov, Miller and Barron make the team (because I would imagine Gorton doesn’t want to stone-wall one of them if they prove ready).

Guys like Khoderenko and Reunanen do not have those bonuses correct?

Imo id bank on Barron making it, Miller is gonna get a handful of games to prove he belongs and Kravtsov will play the year out in KHL but thats my opinion.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

I also don't think we are done making moves, I still believe one of Deangelo or Strome end up somewhere else and, id prefer given our makeup right now that Deangelo stays short term but I'm not sure thats what will happen.

 

[egelband]

I would say no given all the Name still available but it’s going to be cheap bargains only

Does Strome w Smith attached have anyone bite for free? I think NYR wants Haula

Who are the best players still remaining? Haula is definitely interesting. Who else? Tofolli? Matt Martin?

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

After sleeping on it, here on my thoughts on Fast. There are a few possibilities as to what happened:

1) The Rangers offered Fast the same contract as he would ultimately sign with Carolina, but Fast wanted more from the Rangers
2) The Ranger offered a shorter deal with more money and Fast opted for more years.
3) Fast saw his spot with the Rangers are uncertain as prospects/younger players start moving into the lineup and he wasn't sure what it meant for him — then decided he was better off leaving for a contender.
4) Fast was insulted by the Rangers assuming they would get the chance to match any offer.
5) The Rangers were insulted that Fast, who reportedly wanted to stay, was shopping himself around then using other offers to negotiate.
6) Jeff Gorton and John Davidson are really bad at their jobs and their diabolical secret motive is to destroy this team from the inside.

Personally, I think some combination of the first 5 is the most likely case scenario.

 

[kovazub94]

I’d like Hajek or Reunanen to earn a spot . Smith going is ideal. 2 guys at min salary saves 2 million roughly off the cap

Did you ignore the second point? Only one spot at LD is locked. Miller, Reunanen and Hajek will get to compete for the other two against Smith and JJ.

 

[broadwayblue]

The best signing so far this off-season is the Kinkaid.

Kinkaid now allows the Rangers to expose a goalie other then Geo.

Shesty and Geo for the next couple years until Wall or Huska are ready to take away Geo back up roll.

Rooney will most likely be that 13th forward.

Do people think Wall or Huska will play in the NHL?

 

[Ori]

Lias A. year will be remembered a year that drafting and NY management did a really poor job both developing and why did they end up with him.

 

[Vitto79]

Did you ignore the second point? Only one spot at LD is locked. Miller, Reunanen and Hajek will get to compete for the other two against Smith and JJ.

Gotcha I just think they will get another LD like a Greene to pair w Trouba and if so they need Smith our. JJ should be a spare