There were a couple of defensemen that signed yesterday to deals I would have been okay with the Rangers doing if the Trouba situation was resolved.What big long term free agent winger was worth not being able to be involved in the massive 2025 or 2026 UFA classes? The answer is none. Im not paying a 30 year old Guentzel 7 X $9 to ensure I have ZERO chance at draisaitl or rantennen 1 year from now or mcdavid (i dont think he ever hits ufa), kaprisov, eichel in 2026.
Very real possibility that Draisaitl comes to NY next offseason. Wife wants out of edmonton. And if you land Leon it’s likely in the range of 7 X $13.5. Then your lineup is likely
Panarin-Draisaitl-Perreault
Kreider-Mika-Laff
Cuylle-Trocheck-Othmann
Edstrom-Carrick-Rempe
The following offseason Panarin comes off the books and also will be easy to move kreider if they need the space to take runs at kaprisov and eichel.
There were NO winger deals yesterday that I looked at and said “I wish the Rangers did that”.
The Reilly Smith deal was a good move for the situation the Rangers are in.