NHL Roster Freeze Ends: What To Expect From Rangers; Eichel, Goodrow and more

The NHL roster freeze ends at 1 p.m. ET today. Now that the Seattle Kraken expansion is complete, it is clear to all teams where they stand and what they can do next.

Chris Drury is no different and perhaps one of the biggest players in the NHL as of 1:01 pm on the clock. Let’s dive into what we can expect from the New York Rangers.

Rangers set to announce Barclay Goodrow signing

Shortly after the Rangers acquired Barclay Goodrow for a 7th round pick from the Lightning, they began contract negotiations. It’s very possible that they made the majority of the deal before the NHL roster freeze began. This is also probably why they left him unprotected, knowing that he was unlikely to change his mind and sign with Seattle.

Today, the Rangers are expected to announce that they have reached a deal with Barclay Goodrow worth $ 21.6 million. The contract is expected to be 6 years at $ 3.6 million AAV.

“He’s a guy that we targeted and who obviously came out and made a deal with Tampa early on to get the upper hand,” Drury said via NHL.com. “I think he’s pretty versatile. I could see him doing all kinds of different things for Gerard (Gallant), whether it was more time in the middle, whether it was face-offs in the d zone. But we think he has a pretty complete game. He will be able to help a lot of different areas.

By signing Goodrow, 28, the Rangers strengthened their last six. The 6-2 forward played 55 games for Tampa Bay last season, amassing six goals and 20 points, plus a plus-16 rating and 52 penalty minutes. He also scored six points in 18 playoff games while helping the Lightning win the Stanley Cup for the second time in a row.

Rangers about to trade for a cross; probably Jack Eichel

Jack Eichel is expected to be traded before the NHL Draft tomorrow night. The Sabers have made it clear that any trade for the 24-year-old will require a high first-round pick.

The two favorites to land Eichel are the Rangers and the Wild. While that first-round pick is a key part of the deal, the Rangers have 15 and have the assets to move forward. Meanwhile, the Wild is at 21. Just a note, the Coyotes who hold pick 11 lost this for a Combine violation, allowing all teams to earn a spot.

As speculation about Eichel’s mounts, can tell you the Rangers still haven’t had access to his Sabers medical records. So, there is nothing close at this point.

– Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) July 22, 2021

The Rangers have the option to trade Ryan Strome and his $ 4.5 million AAV. The Senators are interested in his services; The same goes for the Sabers and the Kraken right now. If Ottawa takes Strome and picks 15 for their 10th, that will improve the Rangers’ package. It is unlikely that the Wild could do anything to progress so drastically.

As for the package, the Wild should essentially empty their future by abandoning Marco Rossi and Matt Boldy, two prospecting centers. Then there’s Eichel’s entire cap of $ 10 million for the next five seasons, and the wild dead cap space starting next year of $ 12 million, $ 14 million, and $ 14 million. Unless a third team gets involved, I just don’t see it.

The Rangers’ package is going to be stiff, but they’re overloaded with defensive and wing prospects who just won’t all be able to play here. If Strome didn’t move into another deal, he could be part of an Eichel trade. It is also possible that Pavel Buchnevich will be moved due to his RFA status. Zac Jones is the most prevalent defender in the case, but it could also be Matthew Robertson.

Here are two possible packages:

• Buchnevich, Chytil, Jones, Georgiev and a first-round pick
• Kravtsov, Chytil, Jones, Georgiev and a first-round pick

Last note, if the Rangers miss Eichel, I think they will go after the other supposedly available center, Evgeny Kuznetsov.

Forever Blueshirts has covered the Rangers’ interest in Jack Eichel since February. Our information comes from team sources, so it’s no surprise that they are one of the last remaining teams.

Rangers are still looking for a veteran left-back

It turns out that the rumor that there was a deal for Mark Giordano with the Kraken wasn’t true, or at least never existed. Elliotte Friedman has previously said that after Giordano’s entry in the draft was unlikely to be moved today. He also said the Rangers are still looking for a veteran left-back.

Is it possible that the Rangers pitch for Ryan Sutter in free agency? Or could they work a trade with the Kraken that’s overloaded on the blue line for Carson Soucy? All possible options.

Finally, the Rangers are expected to buy Tony DeAngelo today.

#NYR likely to buy out Tony DeAngelo before #LNH Draw on Friday (probably tomorrow). This will be a 1/3 buyout and will only come with a cap of $ 383,333 in 2021-2022 and $ 833,333 in 2022-2023 by @CapFriendly

– Blue Shirts Forever (@ 4EverBlueshirts) July 21, 2021

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