New York Rangers Remain Quiet Through Trade Deadline
With the trade deadline just two weeks away, the New York Rangers have seemed awfully quiet. The main reason for this being the injury McDonagh has sustained. When the Rangers captain was sidelined with a concussion, Keith Yandle was immediately dropped from all possible trade discussions.
Just a couple of weeks ago, Keith Yandle was almost guaranteed to leave the team, due to his upcoming status as an unrestricted free agent coupled with the Rangers ongoing Cap issues. Even though Yandle will be asking for much more than the Rangers can pay at the end of the season, they can ill afford to give up a point generating defenseman when they are down a captain on a depth chart that is featuring only two left side defenseman.
McDonagh’s injury left the Blueshirts with just two left side defenseman and it looks like they won’t be making any moves to trade for one. This leaves Gorton and the New York Rangers organization in an interesting position especially when you consider the rumors surrounding a plunge in next years Cap.
NHL Experiencing Cap Cut?
Told by an NHL & NHLPA source that 2016-17 cap could go down as much as $4 million. If true, interested in what that does to trade deadline
— MurphysLaw74 (@MurphysLaw74) February 12, 2016
Rumors have been swirling around the NHL possibly putting into affect a new Salary Cap. These rumors could be impacting the New York Rangers decision making processes surrounding the upcoming trade deadline.
If the Cap were to drop by 4 million dollars next year the Rangers would need to unload some hefty contracts. Contracts held by players such as, Rick Nash. Nash has not played in three weeks due to a lingering “deep bone bruise” and his return status has downgraded from day-to-day, to week-to-week.
The silence surrounding the Rangers organization during this seasons trade deadline may be forecasting future roster shifts. They may be gearing up for the projected drop in Cap space and prioritizing their assets. Nash has not played over a period of time in which the Blueshirts have seemed to hit their stride. This may show what his actual value to the organization truly is. If the team can continue to win without a big ticket player, what is the use in keeping him? They are after all playing immensely better than they were a month ago when Nash was healthy.
What the New Cap Could Mean to the Rangers
Other players that could see their time in New York come to an end if Cap space decreased would be Staal and Girardi. Even though Alain Vigneault does tend to favor these players over other, younger defensemen, they are underproducing at their current costs.
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This season could be Staal, Girardi, and Nash’s farewell tour on Broadway. This would allow the Rangers to rework some of their current players contracts. Possibly offering more money up to younger talent such as, McIlrath, Miller, Stalberg or Linberg, or they could use that money to give Yandle the contract he will be looking for in the off season.
The New York Rangers have a poor track record of managing and maintaining young talent. This potential Cap cut is most likely the reason why the Rangers have not been actively seeking out new talent this trade season. Holding off on the acquisition of new contracts could be a blessing in disguise.
The young core of Rangers have currently been producing at higher level than most of the veterans on the team. There is a direct correlation between the production of the younger players and the current upswing the New York Rangers have been riding during the past few weeks. It would be a shame if these Cap rumors came true and young talent was mismanaged yet again. Girardi is a trooper and is one of the most selfless players on the Rangers, but if it was between Girardi, Nash and Staal, or Miller, McIlrath and Stalberg I would keep the later and I hope Gorton would do the same.