The NHL has announced that the salary cap will rise to $88 million for the next season. This adjustment gives the New York Rangers an estimated $12.45 million in cap space for the upcoming offseason.
This positions the Rangers as having the 11th least cap space available this summer, a time when they aim to acquire a top-six forward on the right wing and possibly a defenseman. Additionally, the Rangers need to re-sign three restricted free agents, with Ryan Lindgren expected to receive the largest increase from his current $3 million average annual value.
Previously, we listed the five best Rangers contracts for the 2024-25 season. Now, it’s time to examine the less favorable contracts on their roster.
3 worst Rangers contracts ahead of 2024-25 season
3. Barclay Goodrow — $3.6 million AAV, 3 years left
While the Rangers do have some financial flexibility, there are a few contracts that are particularly burdensome.
We have compiled a ranking of the top five Rangers contracts for the 2024–25 season. It’s time now to examine the opposite end of the spectrum.
The Rangers are somewhat flexible, but some of the contracts that are in place are more ugly than others.
With 12 points in 80 games, Barclay Goodrow had his worst regular season since joining the Rangers prior to 2021–22. This was his lowest point total in his NHL career and his lowest points-per-game pace in his ten seasons as a professional.
Barclay Goodrow, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, made a significant impact in the postseason by scoring six goals in 16 games, a stark contrast to his four goals during the regular season. His overtime game-winner in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Florida Panthers was one of the standout moments of the playoffs.
While scoring is notable, it’s not where Goodrow’s primary value lies for the Rangers. He primarily serves as a fourth-line player who excels in penalty killing and as a dependable checking center. This role is crucial for the team, but questions arise about whether his salary and contract duration are justified. Comparing Goodrow’s cap hit to that of Jimmy Vesey, who plays a similar role (with slightly more offensive potential but without the Stanley Cup pedigree), highlights a significant difference, as Vesey earns just $800,000.
Goodrow’s average time on ice (ATOI) this season was 12 minutes and 34 seconds, the lowest of his three seasons in New York by a notable margin. His ATOI was higher than only Vesey, Will Cuylle, Jonny Brodzinski, and Matt Rempe among regular rotation players.
Drury won’t likely be aggressively attempting to transfer the contract, especially after another successful postseason in which Goodrow stood out among some underwhelming star performances. It’s still longer and more wordy than you would want for a fourth-line forward.
2. Mika Zibanejad — $8.5 million AAV, 6 years left
Mika Zibanejad’s eight-year, $68 million contract extension appeared to be an easy decision back in October 2021, following his exceptional seasons where he scored 41 goals and 75 points in just 57 games, and then followed up with 81 points in 81 games the next season. His initial year under the new contract saw him achieve 39 goals and 91 points in 2022-23.
However, his production took a dip this past season, recording 72 points, and his playoff performance was inconsistent, raising questions about the contract’s value compared to expectations at the time of signing.
At 31 years old, Zibanejad serves as the Rangers’ top center and is relied upon in all game situations, both offensively and defensively. Despite finishing fifth on the team in points and fourth in goals with 26, he struggled to maintain consistent scoring, particularly at even strength.
His postseason performance further highlighted these challenges. After a strong start with 13 points in the first eight games, Zibanejad’s production slowed significantly, managing only three points in the final eight games and going goalless in the last 11 games. In the six-game series against the Panthers in the conference final, he was limited to just two points, both coming in a Game 5 loss, largely neutralized by Aleksander Barkov, the Selke Trophy winner.
While Zibanejad is undoubtedly a skilled forward with strong defensive abilities, his ability to perform consistently as a top-tier center, capable of leading the Rangers to a Stanley Cup, remains uncertain. These concerns are magnified by his contract, which runs until 2030 with a no-movement clause, and carries an annual salary of $8.5 million.
1. Jacob Trouba — $8 million AAV, 2 years left
Jacob Trouba had a challenging season, both in the regular season and playoffs, despite being recognized with the 2024 Mark Messier Leadership Award as the Rangers’ captain. Since his acquisition from the Winnipeg Jets, his seven-year, $56 million extension has drawn criticism from fans due to its substantial financial commitment.
Despite his leadership qualities, physicality, and experience, Trouba’s on-ice performance has not consistently justified his hefty $8 million annual average value (AAV). He ranked in the sixth percentile overall among defensemen, according to Evolving Hockey, marking the worst performance among the Rangers’ defensive corps. His season was further hindered by a decline in play following a solid start, exacerbated by an ankle injury in March.
During the Eastern Conference Final against the Florida Panthers, Trouba struggled defensively and made a crucial error that led to a pivotal goal by Sam Bennett in Game 6. His play drew controversy, including a questionable elbowing incident on Evan Rodrigues in Game 3. Despite some positive moments, such as a shorthanded goal against the Carolina Hurricanes and leading the team with 72 blocked shots in the playoffs, Trouba also accumulated the most penalties on the team, with 11 minors and 22 penalty minutes in 16 games.
The prospect of buying out Trouba’s contract presents financial challenges, with $4 million in dead cap space over the next two seasons and $2 million in the following two years. His high salary and remaining term make him a difficult player to trade, especially with a 15-team no-trade clause for the upcoming season. This situation complicates the Rangers’ ability to make significant roster improvements, especially considering Trouba’s likely role as a third-pair defenseman next season.