4 New York Rangers Could Have Cap Cuts In The Near Future – Hockey Writers – New York Rangers

President and general manager Chris Drury may need to make a number of tough decisions in the months leading up to the New York Rangers’ upcoming season.

Related: Rangers’ Projected 2024-25 Roster Is An Improvement Over Last Season

In 2024-25, more than a dozen names are playing on expiring contracts. Of those, six are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents. In particular, the Rangers will need to spend a lot of money on Igor Shesterkin and rising star Alexis Lafreniere.

The reality in the tough salary world is that you can’t keep everyone. Some fan favorites will be lost in free agency — and some under contract could be traded. Here are a few players who could be waived or opt to hit the open market on July 1, 2025.

Jacob Trouba

In the short term, you have to think that Jacob Trouba’s time with the Rangers will be over. This offseason, he has been in the news and it sounds like a trade with the Detroit Red Wings is possible. While it sounds like the front office wants to move on, he has some control over where he goes with his 15-team no-trade list, according to PuckPedia.

The captain has two seasons left at an estimated $8 million per year (AAV). The question is whether Trouba can change his mind before the 2025 Trade Deadline, or will a buyer on his approved list come with an offer for a veteran defenseman? As all expiring contracts will show, it’s hard to justify Trouba at $8 million. They will have to move him before free agency next year to free up cap space.

Ryan Lindgren

This offseason was the Rangers’ chance to lock up Ryan Lindgren; if not far, then in the medium term. But Drury chose nothing and instead settled for a one-year deal. That tells you the team may not be sure he’s a viable long-term solution among the top four defensive players.

We recently made the argument, that while Lindgren’s tenure as a Blueshirt has been respectable and stable, a short-term departure was the right move for the front office. His 2023-24 campaign cannot be ignored. Last season, he played in 76 games and was the team’s worst defenseman in terms of goals against (xGF), among players with double-digit games, according to Natural Stat Trick. The postseason wasn’t fun either. Only Barclay Goodrow finished with a lower xGF than the Minnesota native, among Rangers who played at least four games in the postseason.

Although it is not a foregone conclusion, the Rangers seem ready to lose Lindgren for nothing, following the end of this season.

Kaapo Kakko

While the Rangers still have several years of restricted free agency (RFA) remaining, the organization may part with a 2019 second-round pick, assuming they don’t make much progress in 2024-25. Simply put, Kaapo Kakko’s season hasn’t peaked yet. The Finnish forward has posted 40 points once in five seasons, which is his NHL career high.

Although Kakko was given opportunities to play within the top six for Rangers, he was unable to fill the spot. In addition, injuries caused problems. Now, after signing a one-year contract, this could be his last season to prove himself. If not, the Rangers could deal him in the near future or at the trade deadline to give Kakko a new opportunity elsewhere.

Chris Kreider

Chris Kreider has been with the organization for what feels like forever. The 6-foot-3, 226-pound wing player may have punched his ticket to a future Madison Square Garden retirement ceremony after his Game 6 championship hat trick against the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2024 postseason.

However, when this season ends, Kreider will turn 34 years old and no longer have a full no-movement clause. While it may be unconscionable for fans to watch him play elsewhere – tough decisions have to be made. The Rangers have several prospects on the wing, including Gabriel Perreault and Brennan Othmann, both of whom could challenge for starting roles in the short term. Kreider will likely stay with the Rangers this season to try to extend the Stanley Cup window — but after that, all bets are off on the salary cap situation.

Between now and a year from now – a lot can change. Rangers could look very different at the start of 2025-26. This upcoming season could be the last before many regulars find a new home.