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If there is one team in the NHL that could receive an offer next offseason, it is the New York Rangers.
Their roster is loaded with potential RFAs, including Alexis Lafreniere, Kaapo Kakko, Will Cuylle, Matt Rempe, Zac Jones and K’Andre Miller.
Lafreniere and maybe even Miller would probably fall into the “we’ll beat any offer” category, so they shouldn’t be in danger. It’s also possible, if not likely, that Lafreniere could even get a new contract extension before he even reaches RFA status.
But considering how many huge contracts the Rangers’ roster already has and how much all those raises will cost them, some of their second-tier RFAs could be targeted, particularly Cuylle, Kakko, and maybe even Rempe.
Rempe may be the worst player here, but due to his physical play and potentially low salary, he could be of interest to some teams.
Kakko is also interesting, assuming the Rangers don’t trade him before that happens. He never became a star and his performance on the game sheet remains disappointing, but he’s still a useful player who can do a lot of little things for his line and do the dirty work when it comes to getting the puck and gaining possession.
In some ways, he might be the ideal RFA target: The Rangers will be close to the salary cap, his lack of goals and points will keep his salary and potential compensation low, and he’s still a useful player who can make any team better.
