There has been a lot of activity leading up to the Entry Draft on Friday. The New York Rangers made one of the biggest splashes with their acquisition of Jacob Trouba, but there have been other transactions.
The New York Rangers trade for Jacob Trouba has drawn most of the attention from fans of the Blueshirts, but the competition in the Metropolitan Division has been making some moves as well.
As for the Rangers, there is much speculation that they will still try to acquire a second first round pick by trading current assets. Whether that actually happens is improbable, but there is no doubt that Jeff Gorton is working the phones.
On the table still is the speculation that Vlad Namestnikov is the target of the San Jose Sharks. One year away from unrestricted free agency, the possiblity that the Rangers will seek to deal him is real.
Getting Trouba has created a logjam on the right side in the Rangers defense and increased speculation that the team will is making a push to deal Kevin Shattenkirk. Although he has a 10 team no trade clause and signed with his favorite team at a discount, he slots into the right side behind Trouba and Anthony DeAngelo and even rookie Adam Fox. While it is possible that the team will let Fox develop in the AHL to start the season, they didn’t trade two second round picks for Fox to let him languish in the minors.
At any rate, trading Shattenkirk is a possiblity and you can bet that they would be willing to entertain offers for DeAngelo as well.
Ranger buyout options
On the buyout front, the top speculation is that it is Brendan Smith who will be bought out rather than Marc Staal or Shattenkirk. Here’s the cap impact of those buyouts (from capfriendly.com):
Brendan Smith – Two more years on contract at $4.35 million per.
2019-20 $971k
2020-21 $3.14 million
2021-22 $1.14 million
2022-23 $1.14 million
Marc Staal – Two more years on contract at $5.7 million per with no movement clause
2019-20 $2.9 million
2020-21 $3.7 million
2021-22 $1.2 million
2022-23 $1.2 million
Kevin Shattenkirk – Two more years on contract at $6.65 million per with modified no trade clause.
2019-20 $1.48 million
2020-21 $6.08 million
2021-22 $1.43 million
2022-23 $1.43 million
As you can see, it may make more sense to try to deal Smith or Shattenkirk and eat some of the salary. It would get them off the books sooner and at less of a cap hit. With Staal’s no movement clause that would be more difficult. Stay tuned.