New York Rangers: what to do with pending free agents

K’Andre Miller, Restricted Free Agent (Arbitration Eligible)

This past season was a story of ups and downs for Miller. At best, he looked like a budding star, using his unique physical abilities – such as his long reach – to stifle other teams’ star players. He also added some memorable goals: the breakaway against the Flyers in December and the tying goal with 0.1 seconds left against Dallas stand out.

But, Miller struggled at times this season, including in the recent series against the Devils. After Games One and Two, Miller fell off and the Devils started to skate around him and Jacob Trouba. He had only one point, coming on the first goal of the series: a primary helper to Vladimir Tarasenko.

The bottom line: Miller has star potential, and it is very possible that he reaches that here in New York. Even through the struggles, there is so much untouched potential that Chris Drury won’t want to lose.

Prediction: The Rangers bring back Miller on a two-year bridge, similar to what they do to a lot of their young players (Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko for example), for around $3-3.5 million AAV.

Alexis Lafreniere, Restricted Free Agent (Arbitration Eligible)

When that ping pong ball came up with the New York Rangers logo in the summer of 2020, the amount of jubilation the franchise and fans showed will always be remembered. These emotions were because of Alexis Lafreniere.

Lafreniere, the first overall selection in the 2020 NHL Draft, had obvious star potential and was coming into a good situation in New York. But, he has not been the player New York has expected him to be.

Part of it has to be the situation: compared to other recent first-overall selections, Lafreniere came into the most talented lineup that already had two solidified top left wingers in Artemi Panarin and Chris Kreider. So, it was extremely difficult for the 21-year-old to get top-six minutes in his natural position.

In order for him to get top-six minutes, there has been a lot of shifting around for Lafreniere, especially under Gerard Gallant. But, this was barely at left wing, and playing at right wing has not given Lafreniere the same promise. A lot of Lafreniere’s struggles come from the situation, arguably.

But, this is not the only argument. Look at Lafreniere’s postseason compared to last. He had nine points in the Rangers’ deep playoff run last year but had zero in the series against the Devils. Was this because of the situation? Probably not: the kid line, with Lafreniere, Filip Chytil, and Kaapo Kakko made itself famous during the 2022 postseason, and Lafreniere was the biggest struggler of the three against New Jersey.

Let’s talk about some goods. First, and the most obvious, is Lafreniere is only 21 years old, just had the best season of his career (with 39 points), and seems to be improving. Second, he is three years removed from being the undisputed best player in the 2020 NHL Draft. Third, his minutes should continue to increase should he stay in New York.

If you’re Chris Drury, are you ready to let go of this much potential? Yes, he has not lived up to the bargain and the Devils series was low, but does that move the bar?

Think Lafreniere has to get the Kakko/Chytil treatment.

Prediction: Lafreniere gets a bridge for $2.5 million AAV. It will probably be for two years, but don’t rule out the Henrik Lundqvist treatment, which is giving them a one-year deal that might allow the Rangers to do more cap fluctuating.

Vladimir Tarasenko, Unrestricted Free Agent

The first splash the Rangers made this season was bringing in Tarasenko. New York brought in the winger, along with Niko Mikkola, in a trade with St. Louis, and Tarasenko immediately made an impact. On only his second shift as a Ranger, Tarasenko scored off a dish from his old friend Artemi Panarin.

Over his short tenure as a Ranger, Tarasenko had a huge impact. He provided New York with more offense and his shot was something that the Rangers did not have before he arrived. Tarasenko was also arguably New York’s best player in Games One and Two against the Devils.

He also provided another personality in the locker room; Rangers fans quickly fell in love with him and it was clear Tarasenko was happy to be here. If he is to come back, this has to be the primary reason.

It’s clear that the Rangers are in a cap crunch, and to get a primary scorer like Tarasenko, they will need to pay a decent amount of money. Many teams will want the Russian winger, as he slots into any team’s top six and top powerplay unit. There will be teams that give Tarasenko north of $4.5 million AAV if I had to guess.

Over the final half of the season, Tarasenko made it clear that he wants to sign for a cup-contending organization while also giving what was best for his family. He said there is not a bad word to be said about the Rangers. With all this good praise, can Chris Drury bring back Vladdy?

Prediction: This one is going to hurt. Even though Tarasenko was only here for a short amount, he felt like he was a Ranger for a few seasons. While Chris Drury and most Rangers fans would want him to stay, the current cap situation does not allow for it. Tarasenko will get a deal of $5-5.5 million annual value from another cup contender. Though a short time in New York, Vladdy will always be loved.

Patrick Kane, Unrestricted Free Agent

Kane and the Rangers were connected since the end of the 2021-2022 NHL season. With the winger reaching the end of his contract with the Blackhawks and Chicago being towards the bottom of the league, it was clear Kane was getting traded. Furthermore, he made it clear early on the Rangers were his preferred destination.

So, when Kane was finally traded for a second and fourth-round pick, not many were surprised.

But, the Showtime experiment in New York was tumultuous, to say the least.

Offensively, Kane impacted many games, and this was obvious. There were many games where he was one of New York’s best offensive players, and in his 19 games with the Blueshirts, Kane tallied five goals and seven assists.

Though, if Kane does not return, his time with the Rangers will be remembered for some of his flaws. First, as he admitted on the Rangers’ exit day, he was not 100 percent and was dealing with a hip issue that might require surgery. Second, in many crucial games, Kane looked lost and was one-dimensional. In three of the four losses against New Jersey, Kane did not tally a point, and after the series was over was a center of criticism.

What does the market look like for Kane? Though he is 34 years old, he is still a superstar and he is arguably the best American hockey player ever. If he gets surgery on his hip, he should be healthier next season. Will the Rangers make a move for him? Time will tell.

I think more Rangers fans would want Kane back than fans would admit. Though he is aging, he still provides offensive firepower and playoff experience, and while it did not pay off this year, Kane would accept another run with the Rangers.

But, would the Rangers want him back?

Prediction: The Rangers will make an offer for Kane, hoping he takes a pay cut to come back (similar to Tarasenko), but Kane will take his talents elsewhere. Some teams will pay him more for a short-term contract with a high annual value, and Kane’s Rangers tenure lasted 19 games.

Niko Mikkola, Unrestricted Free Agent

This might have been the most underrated move by Chris Drury and co: bringing in Mikkola in the Tarasenko trade paid off immediately for New York. When the defensemen came to New York, he was expected to be the sixth defenseman paired with Braden Schneider, but the Rangers were dealing with the injury with Ryan Lindgren, so Mikkola was slotted next to Adam Fox.

Though there were some growing pains, Mikkola quickly caught on and saw himself playing north of 18 minutes a game and he was playing well. In many games, Mikkola was one of the best defensemen for New York.

He provided defensive stability for New York throughout the back half of the season no matter who he was paired with, and no fan should be upset with his contributions.

But, this is a pretty easy decision to make.

The Rangers are dealing with cap problems as it is, and pile that on with other free agents that should be higher on Drury’s list, it’s hard to see Mikkola coming back. Some teams will offer him more.

Also, midway through the season, the Rangers gave Ben Harpur a two-year extension on his contract. He will probably be the sixth defenseman, next to Schneider, on opening night.

Prediction: Mikkola leaves and gets the best contract. The Rangers will not even offer him, with the hope that Harpur (or a prospect) fills the sixth-defensemen role (at least until the trade deadline).

Tyler Motte, Unrestricted Free Agent

In Motte’s second stint in New York, he provided the Rangers with exactly what he was brought for fourth-line stability. He dealt with injuries early on but quickly became a mainstay for Gerard Gallant and Co.

Motte provided penalty kill minutes along with increasing time on the fourth line, and as the season went on, he even had an offensive role. This was the biggest difference between his first and second tenure in New York: he had zero points in nine games as a Ranger last year, but in 24 this year, he had five goals and five assists.

What stands out for Motte is his effort – there were many games where he was one of the better offensive players for the Rangers, even though this was not what he was brought here for. He did more than what the Rangers brought him for and should be appreciated for this.

Motte has expressed the want to stay in New York, not only this season but last. Clearly, the Rangers see him as a key piece, as he was acquired in two straight trade deadlines.

Will Chris Drury let him go again?

Prediction: No, he won’t. Motte was one of the better players for the Rangers throughout his second tenure here, and with the desire to stay, Drury will offer him a contract. It should be around $1-1.5 million AAV. But, Motte will be a Ranger on opening night like he wants to.