While the Stanley Cup Final is underway, NHL general managers are busy. We’ve seen trades, claims of waivers, and rumors of candidates emerging, setting us up for an exciting season. The New York Rangers were leading the charge, signing veteran Barclay Goodrow on Tuesday.
Goodrow, who has three years left and a $3.6 million salary per year, was wanted by the San Jose Sharks. The move reportedly upset some, but Rangers general manager Chris Drury needed space, not just this season, but next season when key players like Igor Shesterkin and Alexis Lafreniere will be given big paydays.
With Goodrow off the books, the Rangers now have north of $12.8 million in cap space to attack their remaining roster holes. A starting right wing is needed, while locking up Braden Schneider and deciding the future of Ryan Lindgren are also top priorities. Drury is looking for big bodies and talented forwards who can pair with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider on the top line or fill out the bottom six.
Across the country, there is a Vegas Golden Knights roster with little flexibility and notable names in need of new contracts. It’s a perfect place for the Blueshirts’ GM to begin his search, with several options to choose from.
Free Agent Forward for the Golden Knights
The Golden Knights are notorious for using long-term injury reserve (LTIR) to their advantage, bolstering their roster before each playoff game. After adding Tomas Hertl and re-signing Noah Hanifin, Vegas is left with less than $1.2 million in cap space, and some notable players not signed for next season.
It is almost certain that some unrestricted free agents (UFA) will play elsewhere in 2024-25. How their general manager, Kelly McCrimmon, decides to manage the roster through trades or signings will ultimately determine who is there. From the Rangers’ point of view, their situation is ripe for the picking. Here are some options.
Jonathan Marchessault, RW
One of the ‘misfits,’ Jonathan Marchessault, has been a key member of the Golden Knights since the draft. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the postseason MVP in 2023 when Vegas won the franchise’s first Stanley Cup. He doesn’t have the size Drury seems to want, at 5-foot-9, but there’s no denying his postseason potential.
The 33-year-old UFA scored 42 goals in the 2023-24 season. He is coming off a six-year contract that pays him $5 million a year. His next contract remains to be seen, but as he enters his age-34 season, he is likely to command a similar price tag. Marchessault is an interesting candidate to fill the right wing position alongside Zibanejad and Kreider. His shooting and finishing ability would be a welcome sight for the Blueshirts.
The Quebec native isn’t a great 5-on-5 player, finishing with a 49.26 Corsi-for (CF%) this season, according to Natural Stat Trick. If the goal is to add him to the right side of the starting lineup, that could be a downgrade for a duo that already struggles to produce consistent power.
Anthony Mantha, LW or RW
Anthony Mantha brings size and skill, a very important combination for the Rangers. The 6-foot-5 winger signed his final contract with the Detroit Red Wings before dealing with the Washington Capitals and eventually the Golden Knights at the recent trade deadline.
He scored 58 points for his two teams this season, but his production didn’t live up to his $5.7 million AAV signing. At just 29 years of age, Mantha is an interesting option due to his fit at Rangers and the fact that the contract period is not as dangerous as it would be for an older player.
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Mantha’s 54.41 CF% was third in Vegas, while his 50.47 CF% against Washington was good for fourth. He’ll be the puck-possession player the first line has been looking for, but his inconsistent production could be a distraction.
Chandler Stephenson, C or LW
Chandler Stephenson also has ties to the Capitals and Golden Knights. At 30 years old and on the heels of an AAV of 2.75 million, Stephenson could be getting paid. After putting up more than 60 points in the previous two seasons, 2023-24 was a down year for the forward, who scored just 51 points.
He is a good looking guy, winning 52.6% of his draws this season, and has good puck handling skills. At 6 feet and 209 pounds, the Canadian is physical and versatile, moving throughout the system to fill different positions. While he’s not a candidate for the top role the Rangers need, Stephenson could have the depth to help bolster the bottom six, especially after another year of injuries to Filip Chytil.
Vegas’ Role Players Available in Free Agency
With Goodrow’s departure, the Rangers could look to add some outside help to their fourth line if they choose not to use inside help from players like Adam Edstrom, Matt Rempe, and Jonny Brodzinski. Both William Carrier and Michael Amadio are reliable depth additions that Drury can follow.
Carrier has been a constant presence in Vegas’s bottom six during their playoff run, using his size (6-foot-2, 220 pounds) to be a tough presence on the forehead. He’s reliable defensively and has a good five-of-five metrics as a fourth-stringer, posting a 53.89 CF%.
With just 39 games played this season, Carrier is injury-prone, but when he’s healthy, he’s proven to be a very effective player. His teammate, Amadio, came up during his three seasons with Vegas. The 6-foot-1 forward has scored 27 points over his past two seasons, posting 16 and 14 goals, respectively.
Both forwards would be inexpensive additions to the Rangers. They can add a veteran on the fourth line and increase the overall depth of the roster. There are a number of interesting options available in the Golden Knights camp that Drury should carefully consider. The Rangers need help going forward, especially on the right side, and Vegas has free options that could provide what the Blueshirts need.
