No chance Gardiner signs for 4 million per.
Also this screams "cap hell incoming"

Agreed...Gardiner definitely doesn't take 4, lots of teams would offer him more. The Rangers also have a ton of kids on the left side waiting for their shot, wasn't that the rebuild idea? I don't see adding Gardiner as part of the plan. There would be a better argument for it if he were RHD, but there's better options on that front anyway.

Disagree on cap space...if you look at the future outlook, their fine in cap. Krieder's FA year will be the biggest hurdle, and even then there's money to sign him for a modest raise with the cap going up and a chunk of Girardi's money going away. Karlsson changes that, but really the Rangers shouldn't go anywhere near him. There's money to sign say a 2C and Panarin. a 10m and 6m range player...and still retain Krieder. After that, when some of the kids start hitting RFA, Hank and Shatt come off the books. That's good for 15m...they'll have ample money to long term or bridge however they see fit.



That's a massive over payment for Fox, and really doesn't make a lot of sense when the Rangers are completely in the driver's seat on a deal. If you're looking to relieve cap, send the players away for their proper value somewhere else. Lots of teams would be interested in Vesey for much more than a player who essentially refuses to play for their team. Pionk alone for Fox is more in the ballpark, Carolina would receive a young RHD who can play now and doesn't cost much vs a guy who is largely unproven and is likely going to walk away for nothing in return. I would think they should take this and run.

While I get that your sending Shatt to San Jose to replace EK, there's a couple of problems here:
First, Shatt's value couldn't be lower right now (outside of being injured). I don't see how San Jose is going to send you picks and any sort of prospect for him.
Second, that trade would require Shatt to waive...why would he do that? The guy took a discount and less years to play in NY for his favorite team, you're sending him to the West Coast?
Finally, I really don't think the Rangers should want any part of EK. He's been an amazing player, almost revolutionary, but we all know the writing is on the wall. He played in only 53 games this season...not 73...53. A solid 30 games missed, more than 1/3 of the season! What are the odds that it get's better in the coming years? You want to throw 7 years at 10.5m a year at that? Sorry..but you're insane! Let some other team set their cap on fire for him. If he suddenly becomes Cal Ripken and never misses another game, God bless em for winning the gamble. I'd rather use my cap somewhere less risky. 10.5m should buy me one hell of a consolation prize!

There's more sensible approaches to fixing the Rangers D:

Give DeAngelo some leash, he's earned it. Trade for Fox this off season, get him on board for the coming season so he can get the growing pains out of the way. Let's see what he is now!
Throw your hat in the ring for Trouba. Lots of people will be competing, but take your shot anyway, he's worth it.
Develop Miller and Lundkvist properly, don't just throw them to the wolves like you did Skjei.
If you miss on Trouba (which is likely), maybe you throw the Jets' pick at the best RHD on the board at this years draft.
If half of this goes as you would hope, their fine on the right side.

Give Hajek and Rykov their time this upcoming season. Neither are served playing in the AHL. Once you see what they've got, you have a better handle on keeping or replacing.
Pray to God that Skjei finds his game again, help make this happen with a competent partner.
Lindgren is your backup/dark horse.
This should cover the left side, but if it doesn't LHD are a little easier to come by.

Try more like Karlsson 7 x 12 Panarin 7 x 11 and Gardiner 6 x 6.5 That Gardiner signing is a royal joke.