The Rangers inked Adam Fox, acquired Wednesday from Carolina, Vitali Kravtsov and Igor Shesterkin (actual preferred spelling still to be determined) to three-year, entry-level deals. Adding Fox coupled with signing him and the other two already in the system bolsters the prospect base nicely. What once was a pipeline bereft of upper-end talent, now is brimming, which should help accelerate the rebuild. GM Jeff Gorton has done a fine job restocking the cupboard, boding well for future success.

The interesting part now is figuring out who remains and who goes. Does officially adding Kravtsov and either Kappo Kakko or Jack Hughes make it more or less likely that Chris Kreider remains in New York this year or signs a long term extension? What happens to Jimmy Vesey and Vladislav Namestnikov? How will the lines be configured? Will Ryan Strome and/or Lias Andersson remain at center? is Filip Chytil shifted back to center or remains as wing? With Fox joining the team and having a good shot top break camp, what does that mean for Neal Pionk? The same for Marc Staal, Brendan Smith and Kevin Shattenkirk, each of whom are buyout candidates. Do Ryan Lindgren and Libor Hajek open 2019-20 back at Hartford? Are you more of less interested in acquiring Jacob Trouba and/or signing Erik Karlsson? The same for Artemi Panarin, now that New York has improved the talent base.

The team's management meetings kick off this week. As noted above, those are just several of the discussions that may be part of their conversations. David Quinn, Gorton, Chris Drury, Glen Sather and others have to help set forth the path for this franchise for the next several years. That game plan is already somewhat in place and will get consolidated and consecrated during these meetings.

Rangers sign Vitali Kravtsov and Igor Shesterkin:

OFFICIAL: #NYR have agreed to terms on an entry-level contract with forward Vitali Kravtsov and with goaltender Igor Shesterkin. pic.twitter.com/HSQvRt6gbW

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 3, 2019

Kravtsov:

NY #Rangers have signed 2018 1st RD pick (9th overall) Vitali Kravtsov to a 3 year ELC.

$925,00 cap hit / $1,775,000 AAV
$832,500 Base + $92,500 SB in all 3 seasons
$850,000 in 'A' bonuses in all 3 seasons

*Contract includes a European Assignment clausehttps://t.co/Lp0ImA3cio pic.twitter.com/51jDxbVgPx

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) May 3, 2019

👀 @Kravtsov highlight 🎥. #NYR pic.twitter.com/Nw9Hy9fSQz

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 3, 2019

As noted by Joe Fortunato, the three-year ELC includes a European Assignment Clause, similar to what Pavel Buchnevich got when he was signed and what Igor Shestyorkin will likely get when he is kept. The Rangers aren’t bringing Kravtsov, who tallied 21 points in 50 KHL games last year for a weak Traktor squad and was drafted ninth overall last season, over to play in the AHL, and the seasoning he will likely need to get up to speed at the NHL level should come at the NHL level. Plus, even if he needs a brief stint in the minors, seeing the growth in Buch last year should give Kravstov confidence that the organization will develop him in the best way possible.

Shesterkin:

Igor 🖊 with #NYR pic.twitter.com/4ODuu6YCz3

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 3, 2019

Among goalies who have made at least 50 career KHL appearances, Igor’s career 1.68 GAA is the best in KHL history.

Learn more about Shesterkin ⬇️. #NYR pic.twitter.com/cVy3X2Gu4I

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 3, 2019

IG😏R! #NYR pic.twitter.com/0EUZcc1wBl

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 3, 2019

Shesterkin, selected in the fourth round, 114th overall, in 2014, signed a two-year ELC since he is 23 years old. He went 24-3-1 with 10 shutouts this year with SKA while leading the KHL with a 1.11 GAA and .953 save pct. Shesterkin is expected to participate at the Rangers prospect camp that will commence June 24 at Chelsea Piers in Stamford.

Where he fits in next season is up for debate. Alexandar Georgiev acquitted himself quite well as a rookie while Henrik Lundqvist's play slipped for the second straight second half of the season. The expectation as of now is that Hank will still close to 50 games as a starter. But will Georgiev be moved at the draft to acquire additional assets with the belief that Shesterkin is ready? He is the same age as Lundqvist when he came over and he is arriving in the US with the expectation that he will play immediately. That still remains to be determined and if Shesterkin will start the year in the minors or possibly the same can be said for Georgiev. Decisions loom here as well.

Fox:

OFFICIAL: #NYR have agreed to terms with defenseman Adam Fox on an entry-level contract. pic.twitter.com/ez1Vo25xrY

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 2, 2019

Adam Fox #Rangers
2016 3rd RD pick (66th overall by CGY)

3 year Entry Level Contract
$925,00 cap hit / $1,775,000 AAV

$832,500 Base + $92,500 SB in all 3 seasons.
$850,000 in 'A' bonuses in each season as well.https://t.co/QPrJwfLFld pic.twitter.com/uXkAlDna7f

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) May 2, 2019

I covered Fox when he was acquired. Unsure there is much more to say. The three-year ELC kicking in for 2019-20 means that he will be exempt for the Seattle expansion draft.

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