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The New York Post‘s Larry Brooks reports multiple sources told him Ryan Strome and Andrew Copp intend on testing the free-agent market when it opens on July 13. As a result, the New York Rangers are eyeing the trade market for a second-line center.
Brooks was initially dismissive of the Rangers being linked last week to the Winnipeg Jets’ Pierre-Luc Dubois. He now reports they’ve had discussions with the Jets regarding the 24-year-old center, as well as teammate Mark Scheifele.
Brooks observed the Rangers have around $10 million in cap space this summer, hampering efforts to re-sign Strome and Copp. Salary cap space will be an ongoing issue as they attempt to address their second-line center spot. Defenseman K’Andre Miller and winger Alexis Lafreniere will be due for raises next summer coming out of their entry-level contracts.
Staple reported Filip Chytil has been the most-discussed Ranger amid general manager Chris Drury’s trade talks. He’s signed through 2022-23 with a $2.3-million salary-cap hit, becoming a restricted free agent next summer with arbitration rights. He also said Kaapo Kakko has been discussed but his disappointing performance in the final season of his entry-level contract hurt his trade value.
The Rangers must include more than Chytil or Kakko in a package offer if they hope to land Dubois, Scheifele, or Miller. The Red Wings might be unwilling to part with Larkin if they can get him signed to a contract extension this summer.