The New York Rangers Salary Cap Situation After $88 Million Increase
The NHL Salary Cap will increase $4.5 Million to $88 Million in 2024-2025 after an announcement from the NHL and NHLPA.
That is welcome news to the New York Rangers after 3+ years of a flat salary cap and many teams will have breathing room with their financial situation.
After this seasons rise in the salary cap, there's a projection that in 2025-2026 the cap could rise by as much as 5%.
As Chris Drury will have to attend to Igor Shesterkin and his future contract extension, which could yield as much as $12 Million AAV per year, the Rangers would benefit an extra $4.5 Million added to the salary cap.
Shesterkin could end up being the highest-paid goalie in the NHL.
Stars K'Andre Miller and Alexis Lafreniere will be due for a contract extension and raises July 1st as well.
Salary Cap Outlook
According to PuckPedia the Rangers currently have $12.45 Million in salary cap space. Ten NHL teams have less cap space than the Rangers, despite 21 teams being in a better position.
The Flyers have less than a million in salary cap space, while the Utah HC has $40.85 in cap space, and will have to spend $18 Million to meet the cap floor.
The Rangers will be taking care of three RFA's in Braden Schneider, who is coming off of his ELC, likely a bridge deal for the defenseman. While it's likely the Rangers move on from Kaapo Kakko, who is looking at a raise from his current $2.1 Million AAV, and could sign a one-year prove it deal or another bridge deal could be in the works.
Ryan Lindgren, defenseman, 26 could be looking at a significant raise as an RFA who will want a longer deal after his $3 Million AAV expires this season. But in the end, due to his injury history the Rangers could look at other options for the defenseman.
It's also unlikely they sign UFA's such as: Blake Wheeler, Chad Ruhwedel, Alex Wennberg, Jack Roslovic as well.
With the significant raises in the cap soon, the team will be able to sign top-six talent and another defenseman, all the while making sure Igor Shesterkin will be a Ranger still.
Source: Forever Blueshirts
Where Rangers stand after NHL salary cap increases beyond expectations
| POLL | ||
Do you think the Rangers can afford a top-six winger? | ||
| Yes | 357 | 82.8 % |
| No | 74 | 17.2 % |
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