The New York Rangers acquired Mika Zibanejad from the Ottawa Senators this past off-season. While the move was made to get younger, New York also saved cap space. Unfortunately Zibanejad signed a bridge contract with the Senators, a deal that will soon expire. Kevin Hayes and J.T. Miller are also on bridge deals, so let’s see how these deals will pan out.
Three of the brightest youngsters on the New York Rangers carry similar circumstances. Rangers fans want to see Mika Zibanejad, Kevin Hayes, and J.T. Miller thrive. At no point will you find a Rangers fan booing when Zibanejad scores, Hayes makes a dirty dish, or Miller dekes out the defense.
But things are not quite that simple for the Rangers. For every spectacular play that Zibanejad makes, the Rangers see dollars going out the window. Each time Kevin Hayes finds twine, Jeff Gorton sees an opportunity missed. Thus, the life of a bridge deal.
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Bridge Deals R’ Us
Mika Zibanejad was signed to a bridge deal by the Ottawa Senators, not the New York Rangers. When the Rangers brought him over they could have extended his contract, but waiting to see how he performed in the big apple made sense.
Kevin Hayes’ season last year was below his capabilities, which led some to speak against an extension. However, extending Hayes at his lowest moment would have been a stroke of brilliance. In the Salary Cap era, finding opportunities to get bargains based on anomalies separates the best managements from the worst. Kevin Hayes was an opportunity.
J.T. Miller played tremendous hockey last year, serving as the most obvious case for an extension. Rather than reaching a long term agreement with their young forward, the Rangers opted to worry about his contract later. Miller’s play will earn him a much larger chunk of change, so once again New York missed out.
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Remember, Players Have Say
While it’s fair to scold the Rangers for failing to jump on opportunities, it must be remembered that the players have say, too.
Mika Zibanejad likely was not getting an extension one way or another, but perhaps he wanted to see how he fit in anyway.
Kevin Hayes came off a year that he must have known was an anomaly, not the norm. There’s little to no reason for a player to talk extension when his value is at its lowest.
J.T. Miller could have considered an extension coming off a fantastic season. However, Miller also could have seen how well he was adapting to the NHL game, and knew he would only get better. Miller betting on himself would make plenty of sense, and would be the correct move in the long run.
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What Now?
Now, the Rangers watch each Mika Zibanejad shift, knowing the right plays will cost them money. Zibanejad will demand a pretty penny this off-season thanks to the Senators failing to lock him up.
Zibanejad serves as a preview of what’s to come for the Rangers with Kevin Hayes and J.T. Miller. While Zibanejad was hurt this season, his terrific play when healthy is only raising his price. The Rangers will not want to let him go, so the wallets will open.
As for Hayes and Miller, the two are set to top Zibanejad’s numbers both on ice and off the ice. Hayes plays more time with less experience than Zibanejad, while Miller is touted as one of the best young forwards in the entire NHL.
We shall see what Mika Zibanejad brings in this off-season for his long-term NHL contract. When we do, we will know what the Rangers are in for with Kevin Hayes and J.T. Miller. No matter what the numbers are, it’s impossible not to go back and wonder what the extensions could have been.
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Regardless, let’s hope Zibanejad, Hayes, and Miller make the Rangers pay. That’s what helps the team win games.