For years, nee decades, the New York Rangers could fairly be accused of hyper-spending money on free agents and elder statesmen in their efforts to win a Stanley Cup NOW.
A quick look at the Rangers progress in free agency this season on NHL.com shows a commitment to the organization’s youth movement and rebuild.
Having won nothing with the old roster, ownership and management made the decision to pull the plug early on the 2017-18 season and trade away older talent that had brought not much more than grief, frustration and derision form the Madison Square Garden faithful.
For some in the arena, the trading away of favorites may have seemed like a gut shot bu this is a business that depends on success.
Indeed, want to know how successful any of the former Rangers have been since being dealt? Meh.
Instead, New York as a franchise committed to resigning their restricted free agents and are set for the coming season.
The list on NHL.com says it all.
Group 2
FAs: Chris Bigras (re-signed), Steven Fogarty (re-signed), John Gilmour (re-signed), Kevin Hayes (re-signed), Vladislav Namestnikov (re-signed), Boo Nieves (re-signed), Rob O’Gara (re-signed), Brady Skjei (re-signed), Ryan Spooner (re-signed), Jimmy Vesey (re-signed)
All of the restricted free agent talent has been signed. Sure some of that may be asset-driven for future deals but the club remains focused on building a better Rangers squad; not the mediocre, season-ending failures of the last few decades.
The last restricted free agents to sign were Kevin Hayes and Ryan Spooner. Both avoided arbitration by agreeing deals this week.
Hayes, 26, struck for 25 goals, a career high, and 44 points last season and signed a one-year deal.
Hayes will ice for just north of $5 million in the one-year deal.
Spooner also avoided arbitration with a two-year agreement with a $4 million cap hit each year.
Spooner may be a on short leash after coming up short in Boston and forcing arbitration a year ago with the Bruins.
He flashed some brilliance early after the trade deadline deal and a continuation of that success will be welcome.
The Rangers now have $5,676,000 in cap space left. Difficult to recall a Rangers salary line being this far above the line.
Rumors have circulated over the off season that the Blueshirts would bring in a veteran leader to help with the kiddie korps. Rick Nash’s name has been floated but no firm moves have been made.
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