This playoffs proved to me if/ when the Rangers win a cup it’ll be the kids that lead them there. I can’t see them winning while Panarin, Kreider and Trouba (feel like Mika will still be pretty good into his contract) are still the go to guys. In 3 years they won’t be anymore and the young core will step up, especially considering their performance this playoffs being among the better 5 on 5 players on the team. With that being said, I hope they don’t make a stupid series of trades to make futile attempts at a cup.

Rangers 2C will be either Copp or Strome. If Copp prices himself out, then Drury will sign Strome, who has already talked about wanting to stay. They will also most likely use Laffy on RW on the top line and Kakko as RW on the 2nd line because they need both getting top 6 minutes asap. They have Cuylee and Othemann both looking ready to jump to the NHL level and would not surprise me if one of them makes the team as a LW (most likely Cuylee) on the 3rd line with Goodrow and Blais. Vartrano is likely gone in free agency and Motte depends on his asking. Nemeth is gone one way or another, and Chytil could be gone as well, depending on how Cuylee looks in camp.

Nothing in that trade for Arizona. Yea Rangers have cap issues, and won't be able to return the good team that had at the end of the 21/22 season.

Thanks for the reply. I'm curious why you don't see a competitive window now and for the next 3 years? With the forward group, top 4 blueliners, and Shesterkin you guys are knocking on the door.

Kravtsov is a first round talent.
Georgiev could be a starting goalie or a trade chip that would get back a decent draft pick.

Thanks for the reply.

Both Copp and Strome are in the $5-6 million dollar range so I don't see how they can sign either of them.

Curious why you think Laf will make a good RW after the failed experiment of this past season? Othemann is interesting but he would need to crack the top 9 and not be wasted on the 4th line; assuming of course that Laf is on the LW behind Kreider and Panarin. Same issue for Cuylee.

Also, why do you feel Chytil is gone? How would you move Nemeth when the market for cap space is going to be competitive.

Welcome to CapFriendly! Sometimes, it's not too friendly.

I think you've overlooked the reality of Arizona's financial condition in expecting them to retain $2.925 million for four years.

IMO, Nemeth will be traded or bought out, so the Rangers have cap space to sign either Strome or Copp in the $5.5m/year range, but not both. Laffy did quite well at RW on Mika's line later in the year, so not sure why you consider that a failed experiment. He isn't replacing Kreider or Panarin yet, but he is 20 and maturing rapidly and he has to get top 6 minutes next year, so the only place is RW with Mika and Kreider. Same for Kakko, and he will be RW on Panarin line.

I said Chytil may be gone, not definitely, depending on Cuylee and Othmann making the team. Cuylee was close to make this years team and had a great season in juniors and is physically mature enough to play in the NHL, so I would not be surprised if he makes the team and Goodrow slides into center the 3rd line with Blais on RW and Cuylee on LW, leaving Chytil without a job, and then they move him to make cap space. Chytil has promise but can't win a faceoff to save his life and has not been consistent enough to move to the 2nd line. Also, if they move Chytil, they can afford to sign a guy like Motte.

I think they’ll be competitive, but I don’t see them clearing the next hurdle and advancing further until more of the young guys who make up a significant part of the lineup continue to grow and develop into better players. Who knows maybe next year is a break out year for Kakko, Laf and Chytil. If it is and 5 on 5 scoring improves and overall team defense they very well could be able to get there sooner rather than later.