Rangers Roundup: Jesper Fast update, Anthony Cirelli offer sheet, and more
The NHL’s Conference Finals continue tonight with the Vegas Golden Knights taking on the Dallas Stars in game three. While the rest of the league is neck deep in organizational meetings, here’s a few tidbits concerning the Rangers.
Jesper Fast update
On September 1st, I reported that Jesper Fast was heading to free agency. He has been with the Blueshirts for the last seven seasons and the 28 year-old was on pace for a career high 35 points before COVID-19 stopped the NHL cold. He finished with 29 points in 69 contests and was the defensive conscience on a line with Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome.
Last week, I followed up on the situation to see if there had been any change and it is status quo. If the Rangers want to keep Jesper it is going to take a very close to market offer in both term and salary to make it happen.
The rumor mill also has a few Metro teams now interested in the two-way forward. As we mentioned, the Nashville Predators were very interested at the last trade deadline. You can now include the Columbus Blue Jackets and Philadelphia Flyers to the mix.
Anthony Cirelli rumors persist
Lyle Richardson wrote today on Bleacher Report 8 Bold Predictions for NHL Free Agency. At the top of his list, the Rangers offer sheeting Anthony Cirelli.
I have adamantly said, there is no way that Jeff Gorton would do this, especially with four RFA’s of his own, Lyle makes the case. Obviously, Tampa is cap strapped and have Cirelli and Mikhail Sergachev to re-sign. One of them could be a cap casualty for sure.
The Rangers, however, have $68 million invested in 16 players for next season. They could get an additional $8.5 million if Henrik Lundqvist retires or perhaps an additional $3 million-4 million if they pick up part of his salary to facilitate a trade or by buying him out. That should give Gorton room to sign Cirelli to a lucrative, long-term deal worth between $6 million-7 million annually, provided he is willing to sign.
B/R
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