I'm with you on Hank retiring not sure about Strome though.

Lundqvist isn't leaving 5.5 mill on the table.

I just don’t see Hank going through another year like this with another team. I’m torn on Strome. Glad we turned Spooner into him in that deal. Great chemistry with Panarin and really found some game. Other side is due for a raise, selling at a high and takes way too many penalties. I see a one year deal from arbitration and either an extension down the line or moves at the deadline

I’m pretty sure Hanks contract was front loaded, so next season he gets $5.5M but it’s an $8.5M cap hit. $2M is a lot to leave on the table obviously but he makes that a year in endorsements in NYC/Sweden etc. Who knows if he retires, but he won’t be a NYR next year. Worst case scenario is a buyout and if he refuses to waive his NMC and forces a buyout, he would be hated by the fan base as it’s a $5.5M dead cap hit and $1.5M dead cap hit the following season when it doesn’t have to be. He waives, it is $4M retained and probably a 3rd round draft pick, he doesn’t waive and wants a buyout and plays elsewhere, would be horrid. It’ll be retirement or waiving for his own sake imo

I think he would want to go out on his own terms, not because he fell to no. 3 goalie on the depth chart. He definitely has another year, maybe 2 to be effective in this league. No chance he retires IMO, I would say 60% he gets bought out, 40% he waives.

No thanks from the Flames

Rangers will still owe some cap hit even if Lundqvist retires, due to the "front loading" of the contract. Still not determined how much performance bonus the Rangers have carried over till this season.
Lundqvist retires? He's on a good team, does he really want to retire in his last NHL season?

With my scenario his extra cap hit and I don’t think many bonuses from the young guys will fit pretty easy. Still be ok if a buyout was given. He’s a very prideful and competitive guy and the Rangers really want to move forward with their two young goalies. He was ok with being a part of the rebuild but the three goalie situation has been too much for him. I don’t know if they’ll buy him out or not, is there a trade destination available?

Hank might be willing to be traded to a 'true contender". Trouble is these true contenders probably don't have 8.5m in cap space to take him without sending similar money back to the Rangers. That cap dilemma for so many teams.