While the Stanley Cup Final rages on, NHL general managers are getting busy. We have seen some trades, waiver claims, and swirling rumors of buy-out candidates, gearing us up for an exciting offseason. The New York Rangers were at the forefront of the activity, placing veteran Barclay Goodrow on waivers on Tuesday.
Goodrow, who has three years left with an annual cap hit of roughly $3.6 million, was claimed by the San Jose Sharks. The move reportedly ruffled some feathers, but Rangers general manager Chris Drury needed the cap space, not just for this season, but for the next offseason when key players like Igor Shesterkin and Alexis Lafreniere will be due huge paydays.
With Goodrow off the books, the Rangers now have just north of $12.8 million in cap space to attack their remaining roster holes. A first-line right wing is a must, while locking up Braden Schneider and deciding on Ryan Lindgren’s future are also high priorities. Drury is searching for big bodies and talented forwards who can mesh with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider on the top line or complement the bottom six.
Across the country, there is a Vegas Golden Knights roster that has little cap flexibility and notable names needing new contracts. It’s the perfect place for the Blueshirts’ GM to start his search, with several options to choose from.
Free Agent Forwards on the Golden Knights
The Golden Knights are notorious for using long-term injured reserve (LTIR) to their advantage, bolstering their roster ahead of each playoff run. After adding Tomas Hertl and re-signing Noah Hanifin, Vegas is left with just under $1.2 million in cap space, with some notable players unsigned for next season.
It is almost certain that some of their unrestricted free agents (UFA) will play elsewhere in 2024-25. How their general manager, Kelly McCrimmon, decides to manipulate the roster via trades or signings will ultimately determine who is available. From the Rangers’ perspective, their situation is ripe for the picking. Here are some options.
Jonathan Marchessault, RW
One of the original ‘misfits,’ Jonathan Marchessault, has been a prominent member of the Golden Knights since the expansion draft. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as postseason MVP in 2023 when Vegas won the franchise’s first Stanley Cup. He doesn’t have the size Drury seems to be on the hunt for, at 5-foot-9, but there is no denying his postseason prowess.
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