As the NHL season comes to a close, speculation about the future of players and teams is at an all-time high. And according to NHL insider Arthur Staple of The Athletic, there are two New York Rangers players who may not be returning to the team next season.
Staple, who has a reputation for being spot-on with his predictions, recently shared his thoughts on the Rangers’ roster for next season. And while there are many players who are expected to stay with the team, Staple believes that there are two players who may not be back next season.
The first player on Staple’s list is defenseman Brendan Smith. The 32-year-old veteran has been with the Rangers since 2017 and has been a solid contributor to the team’s defense. However, with the Rangers looking to rebuild and focus on younger players, Staple believes that Smith’s time with the team may be coming to an end.
Smith’s contract with the Rangers is set to expire at the end of this season, and Staple believes that the team may not offer him a new deal. With a cap hit of $4.35 million, the Rangers may look to free up some cap space and use it to sign younger players or make other moves to improve the team.
Staple also points out that Smith’s performance this season has not been up to par. He has only recorded 8 points in 48 games and has been a healthy scratch at times. With the Rangers looking to improve their defense, it’s possible that they may look for other options instead of re-signing Smith.
The second player on Staple’s list is forward Ryan Strome. Strome has been with the Rangers since 2018 and has been a consistent scorer for the team. However, with the emergence of younger players like Kaapo Kakko and Vitali Kravtsov, Staple believes that Strome’s time with the Rangers may be coming to an end.
Strome’s contract is also set to expire at the end of this season, and Staple believes that the Rangers may not offer him a new deal. With a cap hit of $4.5 million, the Rangers may look to use that money to sign younger players or make other moves to improve the team.
Staple also points out that Strome’s performance this season has not been as impressive as in previous years. He has only recorded 14 goals and 35 points in 56 games, which is a significant drop from his 59 points in 70 games last season. With the Rangers looking to build a younger and more dynamic team, it’s possible that they may look for other options instead of re-signing Strome.
While it may be disappointing for fans to see these two players potentially leave the team, it’s important to remember that the Rangers are in a rebuilding phase. With a talented young core and promising prospects, the team is looking to build a strong foundation for the future. And sometimes, that means making tough decisions and parting ways with veteran players.
However, nothing is set in stone yet, and there is still a chance that Smith and Strome could return to the Rangers next season. But if Staple’s predictions do come true, it will be interesting to see how the Rangers use the cap space and roster spots freed up by these potential departures.
In the end, the Rangers’ ultimate goal is to build a championship-winning team, and sometimes that means making difficult decisions. But with a bright future ahead, fans can remain optimistic and trust that the team’s management will make the best decisions for the team’s success.
So while it may be sad to see these two players potentially leave, it’s important to remember that change is a necessary part of growth and improvement. And with the Rangers’ future looking bright, fans can look forward to an exciting and competitive team next season.