At the time of writing, the New York Rangers have only $623,476 in both projected and current cap space. Beneficial roster additions such as forward Reilly Smith and the re-signing of defenceman Ryan Lindgren cost $3.75M and $4.5M in 2024-25 respectively. In a potentially tight financial situation going forward, with the eventual need to re-sign Igor Shesterkin, Alexis Lafreniere and K’Andre Miller, here are a few strategies to manage the limited cap space.
Rangers’ Cap Space Improvement for During the 2024-25 Season
Analyzing Kaapo Kakko‘s Performance
It will be important to keep an eye on 23-year-old Finn right-winger Kaapo Kakko. Everyone must acknowledge his extensive resume, including kicking off his NHL career as the second overall pick in 2019. He ranked number one in the NHL Central Scouting’s final ranking of International skaters in 2019. Kakko’s 2019-20 rookie season saw him notch 10 goals and 13 assists (23 points) in 66 games. This makes him compare to Carolina Hurricanes right-winger Andrei Svechnikov and Buffalo Sabres defenceman Rasmus Dahlin. Kakko had the third-most points by an NHL teenager that season behind those two. He is an accurate shooter, notching a 14.3 shooting percentage this past season, in the league’s 84th percentile.
Sadly, it is no secret the young player had a rough season in 2023-24. Kakko played only 61 games, missing many due to a lower-body injury. By the end of it, he notched 13 goals and six assists.
Kakko will come at a $2.4M-cap hit this 2024-25 season, and is a 2025 RFA. The question is, will he improve? He is only 23 years old, so there is still a long way up he could go. But due to the Blueshirts’ financial concerns, if that does not happen, his relatively expensive price may not be worth it.
Analyzing Jimmy Vesey‘s Performance
The 31-year-old left-winger and Boston native Jimmy Vesey’s NHL career hit a peak so far offensively with the Blueshirts. He notched 35 points in 81 games (17 goals and 18 assists) in his 2018-19 season with them. This season, he notched 13 goals and 13 assists in 80 games. Although he is a good player and veteran presence, the Rangers are in a tight financial situation and need money for contract renewals.
His cap hit for the 2024-25 season is only $800,000, and he is a 2025 UFA. So, in a way, the strengths Vesey has plus his affordable cap hit may be appealing to trade partners next summer. However, this depends on his performance this coming season. If it’s better, there would be every reason not to trade him at his low cap hit.
Vesey is good on the penalty kill, currently sitting on the Blueshirts’ second penalty kill unit. In the 2023-24 season, with him on the ice during penalty kills, the puck stayed in the offensive zone 35.5 percent of the time, which puts him in the league’s 78th percentile. The puck also stayed in the neutral zone 16.6 percent of the time with Vesey on the ice during penalty kills, in the league’s 82nd percentile. He is also a decently accurate shooter with an 11.2 shooting percentage this past season, in the league’s 63rd percentile.
So, he may be a bargaining chip for a good return in 2025 if necessary.
Rangers’ Cap Space Improvements for the 2025 Off-Season
Jacob Trouba
Trouba was the ninth overall pick in 2012 by the Winnipeg Jets. His excellent shot-blocking (184 this past season) and physicality (191 hits) and predominantly his leadership warranted him deserving of the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award, and his spot as the Blueshirts’ captain. But his cap hit for the next two seasons will be $8M before he becomes a UFA in 2026. Although Trouba is an excellent player, it is clear that cap space is needed for other players, especially goaltender Igor Shesterkin. Arthur Staple of The Athletic reported Shesterkin will see an eight-figure salary upon a new contract once his current one ends at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Main Photo: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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