New York Rangers restricted free agent primer

The New York Rangers will have a busy summer.  Some of the challenges they face will be upcoming free agent decisions

The New York Rangers enter the final month the NHL this season with some important decisions to make.  Last year’s first round draft choice Vitali Kravtsov, defenseman Yegor Rykov, and 2014 draft choice goaltender Igor Shestyorkin are expected to sign entry level contracts.  While the three Russian prospects are expected to be competing in Rangers training camp, the July 1st free agency window will have a significant impact on the players in camp this September.

The Rangers have five players entering restricted free agency as the entry level contracts of forwards Pavel Buchnevich and Brendan Lemieux along with defensemen Neal Pionk, Anthony DeAngelo and Frederik Claesson will expire.  Forward Connor Brickley acquired from the Nashville Predators during the season will become an unrestricted free agent.

While NHL General Managers are bracing for what promises to be an active off-season, Rangers GM Jeff Gorton will need to decide which of these players will continue with the team.  Gorton will also have his eye on the list of high profile free agents who will be available as well and is reported to be wanting to find players to accelerate the club’s rebuilding process.

Pavel Buchnevich

The 23-year-old Buchnevich is in his third year with the Rangers.  The sometimes enigmatic Buchnevich has 35 goals and 89 points in 164 NHL games. The Rangers will likely structure their offer as a two year bridge deal in the Jimmy Vesey range of $2.5 million per year.  Buchnevich, who is arbitration eligible, is looked upon to become a reliable 25 goal second line contributor.

Brendan Lemeiux

The rambunctious 22-year-old Lemieux, acquired from the Winnipeg Jets in the Kevin Hayes trade is a former second round draft pick who brings a physical game along with scoring touch.  As a checking line player, Lemieux should receive a three year deal similar to Jesper Fast in the $1.8 million per year range.

Tony DeAngelo

DeAngelo, 23, came to the Rangers in the Derek Stepan trade in 2017. The Rangers are the third NHL team for the former first round draft pick.  DeAngelo Is having his most productive NHL season this year with four goals and 24 points while showing a more physical side of his game.  The Rangers will likely offer DeAngelo a two year bridge deal at $1.75 million per season.

Neal Pionk

Pionk is coming off a college free agent contract signed in 2017.  While the 23-year-old from Minnesota-Duluth has showed a strong offensive game, he has struggled in the defensive zone in his second season which has seen him be a healthy scratch occasionally.  Pionk is arbitration eligible and the Rangers with a glut of young defensemen may extend a qualifying offer as they mull his future with the organization.

Fredrik Claesson

Claesson was signed and came to Rangers training camp and has played 30 games this season as part of Coach David Quinn’s eight defensemen rotation.  Claesson has been an inexpensive bridge defender but will likely be a numbers victim this summer.

Quinn likes the energy of the 27-year-old Brickley who has bounced around several organizations.  The journeyman may stick around on a two-way contract as a depth forward for the Wolfpack.

With a solid pipeline of propsects making their way to Broadway in the coming years, the biggest challenge for Gorton this summer will be to maintain cap flexibility.  Managing positional depth and sequence the arrival of players and potential free agent acquisitions will be a delicate balancing act.