New York Rangers off-season playbook

VANCOUVER, BC – MARCH 13: New York Rangers Right Wing Pavel Buchnevich (89) is congratulated after scoring a goal against the Vancouver Canucks during their NHL game at Rogers Arena on March 13, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver won 4-1. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The priority restricted free agents on the roster

In looking at the restricted free agent forwards, Pavel Buchnevich, 24, is a bargain extension opportunity beyond the two-year bridge deals that we’ve seen recently that only seem to accelerate their cap impact in later years.  He’ll be a top six forward and coming off a 21 goal year averaging 0.6 point per game.  A two year deal is likely worth $2.9 million per year, therefore Gorton should lock Buchnevich up now for a multi-year contract of four to five years at manageable numbers $4-4.25 million per year that eats into his UFA years as much as possible.  He will undoubtedly become more expensive after a bridge deal on his current trajectory that would take him within a year of unrestricted free agency.

Brendan Lemieux, 23, is an energetic and gritty forward acquired from Winnipeg in the Kevin Hayes trade.  His combative play and good hands helped him become an instant fan favorite during his brief audition on Broadway.  Lemieux is a needed warrior type who brings sandpaper and a protective nature to a lineup of skilled players desperately in need of a big brother.  Gorton should extend Lemieux for three years at an affordable $1.8 million per year if possible.

The 2018-19 season saw Rangers Head Coach David Quinn’s rotisserie of defensemen.  Neal Pionk and Tony DeAngelo are a pair of righty shooting 23-year old defensemen of comparable size and style who are both up for contract extensions.  However, DeAngelo, with 30 points and a plus six clearly separated himself among the right side defenders with a strong and consistent season.  As with Buchnevich, the feeling is to extend DeAngelo with a four year extension at an  affordable $3-3.5 million per year if possible.  Should the Rangers acquire a top pair right shot defenseman this summer that would change the length of any deal for DeAngelo.

With regard to Pionk, his play declined with the increase of ice time which puts him on the opposite trajectory in a crowded blue line which translates to a one year contract at $1.5 million.  The Rangers could also go the arbitration route with Pionk and the feeling here is that if he is still here in the fall, he will be in Hartford and a spare part this upcoming season.

The others

The rest of the group of expiring contracts consists of players who are entering restricted free agency as depth players within the current Rangers roster.  The feeling is these players are pure depth who have yet to prove themselves as NHL regulars.  One of the objectives that Rangers President John Davidson announced is the restructuring of the Rangers minor league teams. The Rangers need to rebuild the Hartford Wolfpack roster and many of these players will be kept there or simply cut loose to make room for the pipeline coming up the system.

Fredrik Claesson, 26, was a seventh man all season. The Rangers can determine whether to extend a qualifying offer or cut ties with him.  Vinni Lettieri had an uneventful nondescript season and earned a one year extension as a depth forward.  Chris Bigras will likely opt for an arbitration ruling or take a two year extension at current dollars.  John Gilmour is a rule six unrestricted free agent who will likely be allowed to walk if he doesn’t want to be among the Wolfpack holdovers.