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Rangers might have salary cap room to maneuver

BY STEVE ZIPAY | steve.zipay@newsday.com

May 6, 2008

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After physicals and farewells today, the offseason turns into a numbers game for the Rangers.

"It should be an interesting few months," said Chris Drury, who will travel with his family to California for the summer before returning in September as possibly the Rangers' elder statesman at 32.

Sunday's disappointing finale in Pittsburgh served to highlight the holes (defense, size, power play) that the franchise will attempt to fill in the summer through free-agent signings and in training camp from within. It also illuminated the increasing presence of young players - 11 of the 20 who dressed were under 25.

The NHL's salary cap is expected to rise to between $55 million and $56 million next season, up from $50.2 million, and the Rangers should have plenty of space to maneuver - especially if the front office sheds most of their over-30 free agents, or signs one or two to reasonable short-term deals.

By not re-signing captain Jaromir Jagr, unrestricted free agents Brendan Shanahan and Martin Straka (who are likely to retire) and defensemen Paul Mara and Marek Malik, the Rangers would create an estimated $19 million in cap space. That would leave room for a younger replacement for Jagr, although the Penguins' Marian Hossa is the only true free-agent sniper available and will command $8 million on the open market.

The cap hits of Scott Gomez ($7.3 million), Drury ($7 million) and Henrik Lundqvist ($6.9 million) lock in $21.2 million. The Rangers have committed $5.5 million in cap space to five defensemen, with the most to Christian Backman ($2.3 million).

Brandon Dubinsky ($633,000) and Ryan Callahan ($575,000) will be restricted free agents in 2009-10 and could be extended. Petr Prucha ($1.6 million) and Dane Byers ($608,000) are under contract for next season. Other forwards under contract are Blair Betts, Colton Orr and Ryan Hollweg (a total cap hit of $1.66 million). Add goaltender Stephen Valiquette, who could be re-signed for about $700,000, and that's another $5.8 million, for an estimated total of $32.4 million in cap hits for 16 players.

Of the team's top restricted free agents, the Rangers presumably will sign Nigel Dawes, and possibly Fredrik Sjostrom and Greg Moore. Prospects Lauri Korpikoski, who scored the Rangers' first goal Sunday, and center Artem Anisimov will get long looks in camp.

One of the biggest decisions, of course, is whether Jagr wants to return and at what price. The 36-year-old right wing, whose $8.36-million salary resulted in a cap hit of only $4.94 million because his former team, the Washington Capitals, was still on the hook for some of the money, is an unrestricted free agent who says he wants to play for several more years, possibly in the NHL or his native Czech Republic. After Sunday's game, he indicated that he would discuss the situation with his family and play where it makes him happy.

Then there is the question of Sean Avery, the controversial and unpredictable left wing who earned $1.9 million and endured an injury-filled season. He broke off contract talks during the winter, saying the two sides were far apart on financial issues. Both sides must determine how much Avery - who likes the bright lights and wants to stay in New York - can contribute, and at what price.