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The Rangers’ performance bonus issue gets complicated

By Steve Paulus

Nov 7, 2019; Raleigh, NC, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (23) is congratulated by center Artemi Panarin (10) and right wing Kaapo Kakko (24) after scoring a third period empty net goal against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Rangers won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2019; Raleigh, NC, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (23) is congratulated by center Artemi Panarin (10) and right wing Kaapo Kakko (24) after scoring a third period empty net goal against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Rangers won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Rangers right wing Kaapo Kakko (24) Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
New York Rangers right wing Kaapo Kakko (24) Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

The Rangers’ bonus situation

While all of this speculation is valid, it is based on one fact, that the team will pay out the maximum in performance bonuses.  Realistically, that won’t happen.

The team has $13,200,000 in performance bonuses built into their roster for 16 players.  Seven of those players should automatically make the Rangers NHL roster next season and their total performance bonus exposure is $10,062,500.   Here’s that group:

  • Alexis Lafrenière  $2,850,000
  • Igor Shesterkin: $2,850,000
  • Kaapo Kakko:  $2,650,000
  • Adam Fox:  $850,000
  • Filip Chytil:  $350,000
  • Julien Gauthier:  $300,000
  • Ryan Lindgren:  $212,500

The key question is how realistic is the possibility that these young players will max out on their performance bonuses.  The answer is that if they have good season, the odds are strong.

Here are players due performance bonuses money who could possibly make the team:

  • Vitali Kravtsov:  $850,000
  • Morgan Barron:  $850,000
  • Justin Richards:  $500,000
  • K’Andre Miller:  $300,000
  • Tarmo Reunanen: $132,500
  • Austin Reuschhoff: $107,500

How realistic is a big performance bonus payout?  It’s worth taking a look at performance bonus targets:

Performance bonus targets

Performance bonuses are broken down into two categories.  Category A bonuses are for hitting team targets and each category pays a maximum of $212,500.  The most a player can make is $850k, meaning that the player has to achieve four of the targets to make the maximum. Here are the targets for a forward:

  • Top six forward on the team in average ice time
  • 20 goals
  • 35 assists
  • 60 points
  • .73 points per game average
  • Top three forwards in plus/minus on the team
  • End-of-Season NHL All-Rookie Team
  • NHL All-Star Game (selected to play or plays)
  • NHL All-Star Game MVP

Category B bonuses are for league-wide  recognition and max out at $2 million. All of the targets are laid out in the CBA.

  • Top 5 in balloting for Hart, Norris, Vezina, Selke or Richard  Trophies
  • Top 3 in balloting for Lady Byng
  • Jennings Trophy winner
  • Top 3 in balloting for Calder Trophy
  • 1st or 2nd Team All-Star
  • Conn Smythe Trophy winner
  • Top ten in the NHL in goals, assists, points or points per game

While we don’t know what specific targets are in each player’s contract or how much a player would be paid for each, there is one example that reveals how bonus payments are structured.  That would be Connor McDavid.

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