Can the Rangers sign Henrik Lundqvist if he’s cleared to come back after buying him out?
There’s some confusion with regard to the New York Rangers ability to sign Henrik Lundqvist if he’s cleared to resume his career.
The Blueshirts bought out Lundqvist back in September of 2020, and they are still paying $1.5M this season for that move. Our recent article on a possible path back to the Rangers for Lundqvist was questioned because of the cap penalty.
It was argued that the Rangers could not sign Lundqvist after buying him out. That is wrong.
The Rangers can sign Lundqvist, just like Flames signed Michael Stone
I reached out to Hart Levine who owns and operates the fantastic site, PuckPedia. “Teams can actually re-sign players the same year they bought them out,” he explained. “Calgary did that with Michael Stone a couple years ago, bought him out then re-signed him a week later.”
Back in 2019, the Flames bought out Michael Stone who was due to make $3.5M then signed him for less.
In a league where cap management has become more and more important, the Flames found a new creative solution to reducing a player’s cap hit. Stone re-signed with the Flames Wednesday on a deal that will pay him $700,000 this season; coupled with the cap hit the Flames incurred after buying him out last month, Stone’s total cap hit for this season will be $1.866 million.
The Province
So clearly there is a precedent, and while the spirit of the rule can be questioned, it is legal.
Latest NHL News
Golden Knights goaltender, Robin Lehner was on the Cam and Strick Podcast and gave one of the most candid interviews heard in years.
One of the biggest insights gleaned from his appearance was his need to get out of Buffalo. He also details how he feels the Sabres mishandled his injury which makes him sympathize with Jack Eichel. Read all about it here.
More About:News & Rumors NYR Features Trade Rumors