Rangers need to move some salary
Colin Stephenson of Newsday: The New York Rangers second buyout window opens up on Monday. The Rangers are now over the salary cap ceiling and will need to move some salary.
They also have two remaining restricted free agents in Tony DeAngelo and forward Brendan Lemieux to re-sign as well.
Trade candidates to include Chris Kreider, Vlad Namestnikov and Ryan Strome.
Buyout candidates include Kevin Shattenkirk and Brendan Smith. Both players have two years left on their deals.
Shattenkirk is at a $6.65 million cap hit and would save them $5.2 million this year, but would carry a $6.1 million hit next year, followed by two years at $1.433 million.
Smith is at a $4.35 million cap hit and would save them $3.38 million this year, but would carry a $3.15 million hit next year, followed by two years at a $1.15 million.
If the Rangers don’t want to go the buyout route, a Kreider trade seems like the most likely option. He has a year left on his deal and could be looking for a seven-year deal at around $7 million a season on an extension.
Ristolainen likely dealt but no guarantee
Lance Lysowski of the Buffalo News: (mailbag) Trade speculation that the Buffalo Sabres could trade right-handed defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, and that it could help them land a top-six forward.
A potential trade between the Sabres and the Winnipeg Jets could land them Nikolaj Ehlers in a Ristolainen deal. The Jets could use some help on the right side. One issue for the Sabres would be that Ehlers plays the left side – a position the Sabres are deep at. One of their left wingers could be moved to the right side.
They could look to acquire Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli if not including their top prospects – Ristolainen and draft picks would be a better option.
It’s not a guarantee that the Sabres move a right-handed defenseman. Zach Bogosian won’t be ready to start the season and the Henri Jokiharju could start the season in the AHL.
Believe that Ristolainen will be traded before the start of training camp. They could use another top-six forward and the salary cap space for a potential trade deadline acquisition.