Hockey Trade Rumors

Much has been made in recent days about the New York Rangers and their salary cap situation following 2 mega free agent signings of Chris Drury and Scott Gomez.

In an effort to clarify the situation for HTR’s loyal readers, I’ve taken the time to do some cap analysis for the Rangers.
http://www.nhlnumbers.com/nyr.html

Using the data at NHL Numbers, I’ve listed the 07-08 Rangers current roster (excluding any unsigned RFA/UFA’s) and their cap number. I’ve also made estimations of which of the young Rangers will stick with the big club and how their salaries will affect the cap.

Scott Gomez 7.36
Chris Drury 7.05
Jaromir Jagr 4.94
Martin Straka 3.3
Paul Mara 3
Matt Cullen 2.875
Marek Malik 2.5
Michal Rozsival 2.1
Fedor Tyutin 0.988
Marc Staal 0.855
Stephen Valiquette 0.618
Thomas Pock 0.6
Colton Orr 0.538
Dan Girardi 0.538
Blair Betts 0.525
Ryan Callahan 0.513
Jason Strudwick 0.5
Ryan Hollweg 0.491
Nigel Dawes 0.462

Current Total: 39.753

Amount under Cap of 50.3: 10.547

RFA’s
Sean Avery
Petr Prucha
Marcel Hossa
Henrik Lundqvist

Sean Avery had a salary of 1.1 million last season. I think a nice bump in pay to $2M per year would be more than adequate. Petr Prucha has maintained that he would like to be a Ranger regardless of salary. Based on a salary of $550k last season, I estimate his resigning to be around $700k. Marcel Hossa made $600k last season, his raise should bring that to about $850k. Henrik Lundqvist should command a salary in the area of $4M per season.

Starting Number: 39.753
Sean Avery 2
Petr Prucha .7
Marcel Hossa .85
Henrik Lundqvist 4

New Cap Number: 47.303

UFA
Brendan Shanahan

Shanahan made $4M last year in his first season as a Ranger and has absolutely no desire to play anywher else. I estimate that the Rangers will offer Shanahan a $2M deal with bonus incentives to bring it to $4M, but having the bonuses not count against the cap will help. A player of Shanahan’s age is permitted to receive reasonable and attainable bonuses in his contract without having the bonus count against the cap.

Cap Number: 47.303

Brendan Shanahan 2

Total Cap Number = 49.303

Remaining Cap Room = .997M

Contrary to popular belief, the Rangers have enough cap room following the 2 signings. My figures show 8 defensemen on the roster with the additions of Staal and Strudwick. It is possible that Thomas Pock is placed back in Hartford and his salary may not count against the cap. I also have Nigel Dawes on the roster.

I hope this has cleared things up for HTR’s loyal readers.