Due to his $8 million salary cap burden, captain Jacob Trouba is the subject of the most scrutiny when it comes to possible contract buyout candidates on the New York Rangers this offseason. In order to give the Rangers greater flexibility under the salary cap, a reputable NHL Insider thinks another Blueshirt is more likely to be bought out.
Barclay Goodrow of the Rangers is the third player on Frank Seravelli’s list of players most likely to have his contract bought out this offseason. The 31-year-old’s contract with the Rangers still has three years at a salary of $3.6 million each, which is expensive for a fourth-line player, let alone one who is a two-time Stanley Cup champion and a respected captain.
In a recent essay, Seravelli stated, “He does his job, and he does it well, but his contract throws New York’s cap balance out of whack.” “Combine that with the possibility that the Rangers may purchase him this month, eliminating both the penalty and earning a special $247,222 salary cap credit for the next season, thereby raising their cap to $88.247 million? It seems obvious to do that.
Given that the Rangers are only expected to have $10 million in salary space for the upcoming season, that credit from this season along with the cap savings on his contract might be extremely beneficial. Ryan Lindgren, a restricted free agent with arbitration rights who can become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of 2024–2025, has to be re-signed. Braden Schneider is also an RFA, even though he will probably receive about $2 million for each bridge transaction. The greater cost is Lindgren.
This offseason, the Rangers will also need to add a defenseman and a right wing in the top six. Kaapo Kakko, a prospective RFA, was already re-signed by New York to a $2.4 million, one-year deal.
