@Vitto79 Fast's cap hit is $1.85. It's a fine hit but doubt they pay him a substantial raise.
The Rangers didn't sign Panarin and Trouba to dangle them. They are main parts of the rebuild for the team to improve as soon as next season. There will be no more tanking going on at least not intentionally.
Trouba's contract will get done probably by early next week. Gorton is patient. Very patient. He isn't on a beach somewhere or sipping a mimosa. He's analyzing deals or engaging in talks. He's trying to maximize his prized assets (Kreider, Names, Fast, Buch) or get back/attach as little as possible to the anchors (Smith and Shattenkirk).
Ultimately he will pull the trigger one way or another but not until he's satisfied. The market is chess. Dzingel who had nearly as many goal as Kreider but a bad playoffs went for under $4 million. Vancouver just gave Michael Ferlund $3.5. Those definitely impact Kreider who is a superior player to both.