33-year old, Chris Kreider still has two year remaining on his $6.5 million AAV contract but has dealt with several injuries over the years, making him hard to trade. If the Rangers could manage to find a suitor, a buyout is very possible, though it would leave cap hits of $3 million in 2025-26, $4 million in 2026-27, and $1.5 million for the following two seasons.
On then other hand, Mika Zibanejad carries an $8.5 million AAV through the 2029-30 season and has a full no-movement clause, making it almost impossible to trade him unless he agrees to waive it.