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The New York Rangers Struggles with the Salary Cap

By Matthew Braver

NY Rangers (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NY Rangers (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 29: Alexis Lafreniere #13 of the New York Rangers celebrates his third-period shorthanded goal against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on September 29, 2022, in New York City. The Devils defeated the Rangers 5-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 29: Alexis Lafreniere #13 of the New York Rangers celebrates his third-period shorthanded goal against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on September 29, 2022, in New York City. The Devils defeated the Rangers 5-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

What would contract offers look like for Lafrenière, Miller, and Chytil?

Lafrenière will almost definitely command the highest AAV from the Rangers, due to the contracts that the #1 overall picks in 2018 and 2019, Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes, signed with the Devils. When he commands this AAV it is the question. Lafrenière can sign a bridge contract like the one the Rangers just signed with Kappo Kakko this offseason in the one to two-year range worth probably around $5 million.

A bridge contract would push this inevitable offer he will receive a little longer to have more current salary cap flexibility. I eventually see Lafrenière getting around a $7 million AAV due to how he compares to Hishchier and Hughes.

Hischier signed a seven-year $7.25 million AAV contract in 2019 and Hughes signed an eight-year $8 million AAV contract in 2021. That is more than Lafrenière is going to make because they have not produced on the same level in the NHL yet. Is that really the case though?

Lafrenière has been stuck on the third line both of his first two seasons in the league and has not played on the first power play unit. Lafrenière has simply not been given the same amount of ice time as Hughes and Hischier. In his career so far Lafrenière has scored one goal per 61 minutes on the ice. Hughes has scored one every 68 minutes and Hischier has scored one every 69 minutes. That is also with all of his goals coming at even strength.

Lafrenière may not have as many assists as the other two players, but if each of the players plays 18:04 per game (Hughes’ TOI) their points per game would be Lafrenière 0.5, Hughes 0.65, and Hischier 0.69.

In two seasons, Lafrenière has recorded just two power-play points, which bodes well for him if he can receive consistent first-line power play minutes in 2023. If he fills Strome’s spot on the powerplay, Lafrenière has significantly more opportunities to produce. This position on the first powerplay saw Strome record 32 points in two years.

If Lafrenière can see a few more minutes on the ice next season and Strome’s spot on the first power play unit, he will likely produce the same amount of points or more as Hughes or Hischier.

If the Rangers can convince Lafrenière to take a bridge contract and save between $2 and $3 that would be a massive step towards keeping as much of the 2022 core together as possible. The Rangers risk Lafrenière being worth more than $7 million after his bridge contract, but regardless, signing him to this bridge contract is important to the team cap flexibility.

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