Michael Grabner was one of the New York Rangers best free-agent signings this offseason. How does he compare to other NHL free-agent pickups?
Grabner is currently tied for the team lead in goals with 26 (after Chris Kreider scored his 26th against the Carolina Hurricanes on March 9) has 10 assists on the year and is number six on the New York Rangers stats sheet with a total 36 points.
While Grabner has missed the last five games due to a hip injury, in the 62 games he has played this season, his level of production for the New York Rangers this season has made him an absolute bargain.
New York Rangers
Breaking Down the Cost
This offseason Michael Grabner signed a 2 year, $3.3 million dollar contract with the New York Rangers. Grabner’s $1.65 million cap hit is small compared to other players on the roster performing with similar or lower stats.
His stats are bested only by J.T. Miller, who leads the team with 49 points (19 goals, 30 assists); Chris Kreider (26 goals, 20 assists, 46 points); Derek Stepan (12, 24, 46); Mats Zuccarello (12, 34, 46); and Kevin Hayes (16, 28, 44).
These are some of the Rangers core offensive players who have played multiple years on the roster. These players’ contracts range from on the high end $6.5 million per year (Derek Stepan) to $2.6 million per year on the low end (Kevin Hayes).
NHL Players With Similar Contracts
In sifting through other free-agent pickups throughout the league, it is hard to find another signing in this same price range that has been as successful as the signing of Michael Grabner.
Some players that signed contracts similar to Grabner’s – whether it be a contract with a team or a new contract with their current team – however, have less impressive numbers.
For example, Antonie Vermette was moved to Anaheim after spending the 2015-16 season with the Arizona Coyotes. Vermette signed a two-year $3.5 million deal with the Ducks and has eight goals and 14 assists for 22 points in 58 games.
Matt Cullen was signed to a single year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins after playing with the team last season. Cullen’s current deal is for just one more season and is priced at $1 million. He has 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points in 59 games.
When it comes to players who have slightly more expensive (yet still short-term) contracts, there is a similar trend.
One example comes in Carolina Hurricane’s right wing Lee Stepniak. Stepniak is a player who has bounced around from team-to-team over the past few seasons.
His current deal with Carolina is for two years at a totaled $5 million. Stepniak’s $2.5 million cap hit is slightly over Grabner’s and he has 12 goals and 17 assists for 29 points in 64 games.
Another example is Mikkel Boedker, a right wing for the San Jose Sharks. Boedker was picked up after playing a majority of his career with Arizona. The Sharks signed the 27-year-old to a four- year, $16 million dollar contract.
Boedker and Grabner have very similar playing styles – both have great speed, which helps their chances to skate around defensemen and a higher chance for breakaway opportunities. However, Boedker has totaled just nine goals and 13 assists for 22 points in the 64 games he has played.
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A Comparison to a Big Free Agent Signing
Grabner isn’t far off from performing as well as some of the biggest signings of free-agent forwards this offseason.
Take Kyle Okposo for example.
Okposo played with the New York Islanders for nine seasons before his move to the Buffalo Sabers this offseason. The signing of Grabner’s former teammate was one of the most talked about free agent moves this offseason.
In his seven-year contract with the Sabers, he is making $7 million per year for a total $49 million. In this first year, he has 19 goals and 24 assists for 42 points in the 63 games he has played.
Okposo is making over five times more than the New York Rangers left wing, yet Grabner has more goals on the year and is just six points behind him on the stat sheet.
Final Thoughts
Grabner is a great fit for the New York Rangers’ style of play. Their dump and chase approach to the offense is something that benefits players like Grabner.
Beyond this, placing the 29-year-old on a line with Miller and Hayes for most of the season has proven to be one of the best decisions by Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault, and will be vital to the Rangers continued success in the rest of the season.
The three forwards have great chemistry, and Grabner is able to feed off of his linemates’ passing and playmaking abilities. But this is not to downplay Grabner’s talent by any means. Not only does he have speed, but also can stick handle and can get to open areas of the ice and make plays on net.
Michael Grabner made one of the biggest impacts on the Rangers early in the season, and his play leading into the postseason will directly impact the Rangers’ success.
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If he keeps his numbers up over the next year on his contract, it would be logical for the Rangers to keep him on after the end of the 2017-18 season.