How much is Adam Fox going to cost?
By Steve Paulus
One reason the New York Rangers traded Pavel Buchnevich was because of impending salary cap issues. While a surplus of talent on the wings was a major issue, Chris Drury repeatedly referred to the salary cap when talking about the trade. He knows that the Rangers are headed for trouble.
The Blueshirts are headed for salary cap hell with no fewer than 17 players or prospects headed to Restricted Free Agency after this coming season. That number includes stud players like Adam Fox, Alexis Lafreniere, Kaapo Kakko, Vitali Kravtsov and K’Andre Miller. While the Rangers and the rest of the NHL are hopeful for an increase in the salary cap, the belief is that no increase is due until 2023-24 at the earliest.
When it comes to players like Adam Fox, the Rangers have no choice. They have to sign the Norris Trophy winner and for a long time. Being recognized as the league’s best defenseman in his sophomore year is remarkable and his ceiling is limitless. The Rangers can sign him for the maximum eight years and they should.
An eight-year deal will make him a Ranger until 2030 when he will be 32 years old. But what is the price? Three prominent defensemen signed contracts in the last two weeks and provide a fair comparison. Here’s a look at what they got.