Day: July 28, 2022

Rangers GM Chris Drury appears to have wrapped up his Summer activities with the news today that Kaapo Kakko and hte team have agreed to a two year bridge contract at $2.1M per year.  The contract means the Rangers will go into the season with around $900K of salary cap space, would be translate to around $4M of space at the deadline, excluding impacts from injuries and any other moves that might occur before then.

After being scratched in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, there had been speculation that Kakko might be traded for a center.  A possible trade failed, with the Rangers’ salary cap status playing a big part in limiting the options.  With the signing of Vincent Trocheck to a seven year deal on the first day of free agency, it made the likely return of Kakko much higher, with the main concern being that he might hold out going into training camp in September.