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Breakup day for the Rangers plus one player re-signed and one added
June 14, 2022, 9:58 PM ET [372 Comments]
Jan Levine
New York Rangers Blogger • RSS • Archive • CONTACT
The Rangers started their offseason by re-signing one player while adding another. In addition, Monday was breakup day for New York with the rationale for scratching Kaako Kappo first and foremost on the mind of many people. We also received some confirmation as to who was playing injured and of course, who AFS they want to return. 

The main theme, mentioned by many, was unfinished business. Hopefully, those players who are back or want to back use that as motivation this summer. Off-season planning already began with the signings while the draft and free agency is just around the corner. 

Vitali Kravtsov, originally selected by the Rangers in the first round, ninth overall, of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, has bounced back to the KHL the last two seasons. Relations between the two sides have been strained at best. But some thawing reputedly occurred during the season. 

New York inked Kravtsov to a one-year, one-way deal with an 800K salary and 75K signing bonus. Due to his original ELC expiring, he would need to pass through waivers to be sent down to the AHL. Kravtsov will get a shot at a top-nine spot on the right side. If he can hold down the role, Kravtsov would provide the Blueshirts solid production at a very low cap hit, a needed asset given the dollars already expended and available. 



New York signed Gustav Rydahl to a one-year deal. As the press release noted, Rydahl, 27, 6-3, 201 pounds, skated in 44 regular season games with Färjestad BK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) in 2021-22, registering 15 goals and 15 assists for 30 points and a plus-6 rating. On his way to winning the 2022 SHL championship, Rydahl posted six goals and six assists for 12 points and a plus-9 rating in 19 playoff games.

Rydahl is a big center who is not afraid to be physical. That is one of his better qualities. On the face of it, Rydahl should get a shot to be a bottom-six center, depending on how the team configures the third line. He could chip in 12-15 goals filling a third line center role or play on the fourth line also at a low cap hit.



Gerald Gallant addressed the media. In no surprise, the first question was why Kappo was scratched for Game 6. While Gallant answered the question, the rationale for the move and lack of communication to Kakko, as seen below, left many of us scratching our heads almost as much as the move itself. Hard still not to think more exists to the story, but the bigger failing was not communicating to a player why he was sitting. That is the job of the coach. Communication is a major component of the role. In this regard, Gallant and the organization failed. 

What went into scratching Kakko, “Trying to win a hockey game and just dressing my lineup. When we sit down and talk about our lineup that is what we do….we love the kid, he’s a good player, good young player, but we just thought the best lineup was trying to win that game.”

Was there something about his play that didn’t fit the situation, “it’s not about his game, it’s about the team game and the lineup. Like I told, most of the games we had some game-time decisions on certain people. That is the way we made it up, if this didn’t play, this guy plays, so that is how we went into the game. We weren’t sure what the lineup was going to be in warmups.”


I am not advocating firing Gallant. But his inability to make in-game or round adjustments during the playoffs is certainly concerning. Gallant is more a CEO type delegating a lot to his staff. But the system needs work, as well as communication. He was at the helm of a team that made it to the ECF and expectations will be raised heading into next season. 


Kakko Kaapo took the high road for the most part. He was honest, as far as we know, stating that no one told him he was going to or why he was scratched. His comment on whether being scratched would impact his contract was the first call. Saying now that it would or that he was annoyed does little to help his cause. Noting that he will use it as motivation puts Kakko in the best light. Would I be shocked if he is traded, no. But I do think that there is a lot more growth to his game that will be unlocked in the future.









Mika Zibanejad didn’t provide any great revelations. As the season just ended, he wasn’t able to fully articulate his feelings right now or provide perspective. He said that he would be in a much better position to do come September. 



Artemi Panarin: I think we all were expecting Panarin to reveal that he had been playing through an injury. His struggles and last season scratching due to an ailment certainly pointed to that condition carrying forward into the postseason. But either none existed or Panarin did not use it as an excuse. He did state that things didn't go as he wanted in the playoffs but he didn’t use an injury as a crutch or an excuse. For those calling for New York to consider moving him as he is not a postseason player is a ridiculous and shortsighted take. The Rangers would not have made the postseason if it wasn’t for what Panarin provided. 
No injury reported



Barclay Goodrow confirmed what we knew, he played through a fractured bone in his ankle. The good news is that his block of Victor Hedman’s blast did not result in a re-fracture, just a lot of pain. A solid first season for Goodrow. 

Chris Kreider: Should be captain Kreider. Clearly the emotional leader of this team. Got choked up talking out Zib, showing how strong the relationship between the two are. Didn’t have as good of a post season as his regular season, but he still had his moments, finishing with 10 goals in the playoffs. He ended the year with 62 total goals.







Ryan Strome may have recently bias and been influenced by the season just ending but he sure sounded like someone who wants to stay. Strome played through a painful pelvis injury the latter half of the regular season and all of the postseason. He also used the term unfinished business when describing his emotions. 

Strome was reportedly offered $5.25-5.5 mil a year likely for at least four years during the season, a deal he declined not to take. I can’t see New York offering more than that given the cap constraints in which they are in and other needs that exist. Strome may want to stay but the cap hit he likely wants probably won’t match to what the team can afford. He won’t lack for suitors in the open market. 







Ryan Lindgren is exhibit one on why key players should be rested down the stretch when there is nothing to play for. His ankle was injured in the final regular season game, impacting him in the playoffs, especially early on against Pittsburgh. Lindgren kept getting knocked down but found a way back up and on the ice repeatedly. 



Frank Vatrano could be one of the players New York brings back. His speed and shoot first mentality was sorely needed on the team. His cap hit and how management decides to build the third line will drive whether or not he returns. 



Tyler Motte is the player I really want in the squad moving forward. The problem is his performance after arriving in New York May have made him too pricey to return. His speed and physical play was a big asset to the roster and fourth line and he is capable of moving up if needed while providing value to the lineup. 

  

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