New York placed veteran forwards Arron Asham and Darroll Powe on waivers yesterday, in the hopes that someone else will pick them up. Both are in the final years of their respective contracts, with Powe at $1.06M and Asham and $1M in terms of salary cap. Neither forward has particularly impressed in a Rangers uniform, although Asham did at least have his moments, including the Game Winner in the 5-0 rout of the Capitals in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Quarter Finals.
The moves would give the Rangers an extra $2M in Cap Space they could certainly use, with the decision to retain Brad Richards, along with the resigning of Ryan McDonagh, Carl Hagelin, Derek Stepan, Mats Zuccarello and Justin Falk, putting pressure on that number.
It doesn’t help either that Brian Boyle is projected as a fourth line center at $1.7M or even that newly acquired Danny Kristo, who is yet to play a game, carries a $1.3M hit.
The Rangers elected not to give qualifying offers to the injured Mike Sauer, nor to prospects Nick Palmieri and Jyri Niemi. Roman Hamrlik almost certainly won’t be back, and it’s very unlikely that Ryane Clowe or Matt Gilroy will return. Depth defensemen Logan Pyett, Mike Vernace and Sean Collins were looked to last year to be organizational depth, but were all found wanting when the Rangers needed them, and so will be sent on their way.
Brandon Segal got into one game for New York, got called up to the train-on squad, but is unlikely to return either.
The only UFA that figures to possibly return is Steve Eminger, who played regularly following Marc Staal‘s injury. While the additions of Justin Falk and Danny Syvret provide some limited NHL depth on the blueline, the Rangers could still use Eminger in the mix
Up front, the removal of Powe and Asham from the picture, coupled with the loss of Hagelin and Ryan Callahan for up to six weeks of the season, will put pressure on the Rangers to field an experienced line-up. As it stands right now, two rookie forwards would likely be needed to fill out the roster, something the Rangers are more than likely looking to address over the summer.
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