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The Dubois trade chatter has brought up some interesting discussion. One well-intended but clumsily-applied talking point is: "but #NYR 
will have to pay their kids on their next contracts, though."
Valid... But there are two critical points I think should be contextualized:
1/
will have to pay their kids on their next contracts, though."Valid... But there are two critical points I think should be contextualized:
1/
1) Next season is as good as it's going to get as far as having no cap worries. NYR can extend their RFAs to the most long-term/expensive deals and be totally comfortable.
$6M for Igor, $5M for Buch, $4M for Chytil, $2M for Lindgren... That's 20 roster players w/ ~$5m left over.
$6M for Igor, $5M for Buch, $4M for Chytil, $2M for Lindgren... That's 20 roster players w/ ~$5m left over.
The only way there's an immediate cap crunch next season is likely if NYR make a big trade for a juggernaut contract. But even then if they're trading Buch or Tony, it can still be smooth.
Rangers have to *try* and max out their cap next season, is the point here.
Rangers have to *try* and max out their cap next season, is the point here.
2) Now look at 2022-23. Zib & Strome are UFA. Chytil is ???, but it's his first time being arbitration-eligible.
This is the lynchpin.
The first bump in the road isn't youngsters getting their payday; it's all the ramifications of NYR's center decisions beyond 2022. Full stop.
This is the lynchpin.
The first bump in the road isn't youngsters getting their payday; it's all the ramifications of NYR's center decisions beyond 2022. Full stop.
Acquiring and keeping Dubois isn't going to automatically derail a young player getting their payday in a few years. But it will automatically mean NYR have made a decision, perhaps loose and contingent, but still a decision; on how they view Zibanejad/Strome/Chytil beyond 2022.
Also worth noting that if NYR go out and trade for a 'big' center; they're probably going to have to trade a Buch or Tony or whoever in the deal
Decisions about long-term center solutions is the first domino to fall. Figuring out which prospect gets squeezed out is yearsss away.
Decisions about long-term center solutions is the first domino to fall. Figuring out which prospect gets squeezed out is yearsss away.
I know we're looking forward to being done w/ dead cap hit; but what if NYR goes out and trades Georgiev+Deangelo+Strome all at 50% retained? Or what if NYR sign RNH? Deciding if this summer is the 'final launching pad' vs a '1-yr window', is a bigger call than prospect payraises
