The NHL free agency season will open up July 1st, putting these next two weeks among the busiest of the year for general managers. While the group of players lacks overall star power there is still tremendous value available to fill out a roster and push it from playoff contender to making a deep run.
In the case of the New York Rangers some more scoring could help push them past the Eastern Conference Final next season. Age and injuries caught up with the Rangers this post-season and they ran out of gas against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The problem for New York will be the salary cap.
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There are several important restricted free agents the Rangers need to take care of both this year and next. With limited room available spending big money in NHL free agency doesn’t make sense. Fortunately they can find some help somewhat inexpensively.
Predlines
Derek Roy is coming off a one-year, $1 million dollar deal and a good showing in Edmonton with 22 points in 46 games. He wouldn’t have to play top-six minutes Derek Stepan and Derek Brassard handling that. If Roy could add depth at center and produce at the level he did in Edmonton, the Rangers would have added punch in the bottom six with a player able to play on the top two lines if injuries called for it.
Roy will likely not be signed the first day as he tests the waters hoping for a longer team deal. I’m not sure he finds one, and if NHL free agency drags on and the Rangers came with a one-year, $1.5 to $1.75 million dollar offer, I think that gets done and Roy starts contributing on a favorite to win the Eastern Conference.
What others players will find new teams and fresh starts as NHL free agency gets going in just under two weeks? Here are four more players that are likely to sign elsewhere and make important contributions.
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