Rangers buying out two is better than just Shattenkirk

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The New York Rangers will have until Wednesday at 5PM to exercise at least one buyout. While Larry Brooks and some other outlets focus on Kevin Shattenkirk being that buyout candidate, despite the $6M penalty in year 2, we have a different plan.

Inside the Numbers

Here is a look at what buying out Shattenkirk means via CapFriendly.

2019/20 Savings: $5,166,667 / Cap Hit $1,483,333
2020/21 Savings: $566,667 / Cap Hit $6,083,333
2021/22 Savings: $0 / Cap Hit $1,433,333
2022/23 Savings: $0 / Cap Hit $1,433,333

Now this is what it would look like if the Rangers opted to buyout 2 contracts (Brendan Smith and Vlad Namestnikov) instead of Shattenkirk’s.

First Smith:

2019/20 Savings: $3,378,167 / Cap Hit $970,833
2020/21 Savings: $1,204,167 / Cap Hit $3,145,833
2021/22 Savings: $0 / Cap Hit $1,145,833
2022/23 Savings: $0 / Cap Hit $1,145,833

Then Namestnikov:

2019/20 Savings: $2,666,667 / Cap Hit $1,333,333
2020/21 Savings: $0 / Cap Hit $1,333,333

If the Rangers were to go that route the would save $6,044,834 now and only have a penalty in year 2 of $4,479,166. That’s almost a million more than just a Shattenkirk buyout with a lesser penalty in year 2 of over $1.5M.

Per the CBA, a team can use up to 3 buyouts in the 2nd window and to date the Rangers haven’t used a single one since 2013. Dan Girardi was considered a regular buyout. The CBA expires in 2020.

Let us know your thoughts below.

By Anthony Scultore

Anthony Scultore has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL since 2014. His work also appears at... More about Anthony Scultore

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