The NY Post’s Larry Brooks reports that the Rangers will
likely offer salary arbitration to one of their restricted free agents so that
the team can open a second buyout period later this summer. Reports earlier this week indicated that
Chris Drury is a goner when the spring buyout period begins on June 15th,
but there have been conflicting reports about Wojtek Wolski’s future with the
team. Jesse Spector said that Wolski is
likely on the way out as well while Brooks maintains that Wolski will be
retained.
The guess here is that the Blueshirts will buy out Drury and
then wait to see what happens in free agency, on the trade market, and with
Christian Thomas this summer. If Thomas
is deemed ready and the Rangers are able to add a significant offensive piece
or two, Wolski might be dispatched during the possible second buyout period
later this summer. If Thomas seems like
he needs another year in juniors and the Rangers aren’t able to add Brad
Richards or another big piece, Wolski might be kept for the final year of his
contract as New York
hopes he’ll provide secondary offense.
Whichever restricted free agent is offered arbitration - probably
Mike Sauer or Brian Boyle - might not be too pleased about the delay of payday,
but for the Rangers this is strictly smart business. It will give them the opportunity to delay an
important decision after seeing how the early part of the summer plays
out.
Arbitration was a likely solution for a couple of the RFAs
anyway, but there’s obviously added incentive with the buyout clause.
- Brooks also reports that Chris Kreider has told the Rangers
he’ll stay at Boston
College for another
year. There have been continuous reports
this offseason that Kreider didn’t feel ready for the NHL and intended to
remain at BC, so this should come as no surprise. However, many felt that the Rangers would
push really hard to get Kreider signed at the post-draft prospect camp. Kreider is obviously standing firm with his
decision.
- Hockey Independent founder BD Gallof reports that the
Toronto Maple Leafs have offered a first-round pick, a player, and a prospect
for the rights to RFA Brandon Dubinsky. Gallof believes the Rangers are more interested in trying to sign Dubi,
but the Leafs are on the hunt for offense. Gallof goes on to say that the Rangers are looking to add players that
can help now as opposed to more picks and prospects, so the rumor makes little
sense.
I can’t see the Blueshirts parting with Dubi unless his
contract demands are really unreasonable. If that offer by Toronto
is real, it’s certainly significant, but still probably not enough to sway
NY. Dubinsky is really the only left
winger currently on the Rangers’ roster with a future in New York, so chalk this up as nothing more
than internet chatter for now.
