Rangers Current Salary Cap Situation

With the signing of Steve Eminger earlier to be the team's 6/7 defensemanf for the 2011-12 season, the impending signing of Ryan Callahan is virtually all that is left to set the Rangers roster heading into training camp.  With no other signings expected, now is a good time to look at the Rangers cap situation with the help of Capgeek.com.


FORWARDS
Wojtek Wolski ($3.800m) / Brad Richards ($6.666m) / Marian Gaborik ($7.500m)
Brandon Dubinsky ($4.200m) / Artem Anisimov ($1.875m) / Sean Avery ($1.937m)
Ruslan Fedotenko ($1.400m) / Derek Stepan ($0.875m) / Mats Zuccarello-Aasen ($1.750m)
Michael Rupp ($1.500m) / Brandon Prust ($0.800m) / Brian Boyle ($1.700m)
/ / Erik Christensen ($0.925m)

DEFENSEMEN
Marc Staal ($3.975m) / Daniel Girardi ($3.325m)
Tim Erixon ($1.750m) / Ryan McDonagh ($1.300m)
Mike Sauer ($1.250m) / Steve Eminger ($0.800m)

GOALTENDERS
Henrik Lundqvist ($6.875m) / Martin Biron ($0.875m)

BUYOUTS: Chris Drury ($3.716m)
CARRY-OVER BONUS PENALTY: $527,000

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $59,322,834; BONUSES: $2,125,000
CAP SPACE (21-man roster): $4,977,166

The lines used are just projections and obviously Callahan would take Avery's spot on the line with Dubinsky and Anisimov.  As I said yesterday, the numbers are getting tight as this does not count Michael Del Zotto's $1.0875 million, but a forward will be moved at some point to make it up.

Rangers Re-Sign Steve Eminger

The New York Rangers have announced that they have brought defenseman Steve Eminger back for a second season on Broadway.  Larry Brooks of the New York Post tweeted that the deal is believed to be for one year, $800,000 dollars. 

In 65 games for the Rangers last season, Eminger had two goals and four assists.  The signing of Eminger is not about statistical numbers, but having a solid defender who is capable of playing a third pair role while being a solid team guy that will not cause problems if he is scratched consistently.  The fact that he can keep himself ready to play even when sitting out for long stretches makes him an ideal 6/7 defender depending on how ready Michael Del Zotto and Tim Erixon are this season.  There is also the insurance policy for any potential injuries that could occur.  Excellent move for New York.

How Much Is Ryan Callahan Worth To the New York Rangers?

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

The New York Rangers have had a tremendous offseason both in adding missing pieces to their organization and in retaining key pieces of the foundation to this point.  Ryan Callahan is the biggest piece to the puzzle remaining as the Rangers try to build a championship contender.  Coming off a career season offensively where he scored 23 goals and had 25 assists in just 60 games Callahan is primed to get a hefty contract from New York.  Since Brandon Dubinsky signed his four-year, $16.8 million contract last Thursday there has been the natural comparative discussion of what Dubinsky is going to make in relation to what Callahan should make. 

Comparing the relative value of Callahan and Dubinsky is not something that should be done because each are critical pieces to the Rangers in their own way and even more so as a combined unit.  Callahan is seen as the better leader and better all-around player while Dubinsky is viewed as more skilled of the two.  Projections on Callahan’s potential contract have factored in his breakout offensive season, the intangibles he brings to the club, along with the expectation of his being named captain and the combination seems to have taken the dollar figures out of hand. 

There is more after the jump on where the numbers are deemed to be and where maybe they should be.

Video: Whale At Prospect Camp Part 2 Featuring McIlrath, Hagelin, Grant, Kerbashian

In the second part of Connecticut Whale’s behind the scenes look at Rangers prospect camp they focus on Dylan McIlrath, Tommy Grant, Carl Hagelin, and Kale Kerbashian.  Once again Brian Ring and Liz Bontempo do a very good job of giving a feel for the players while mixing in highlights of what they have done in the past.  Of the four, Carl Hagelin is the only one truly expected to challenge for a roster spot with the Rangers this season.  If Hagelin does not he will be a key player for the Connecticut Whale while Grant and Kerbashian have lower expectations on them heading into the season.

Video courtesy of Brian Ring:

Rangers Prospect Summer Rankings.

Over at Sportsology Russ Cohen posted his 2011 New York Rangers Summer Prospect Rankings on Friday.  His rankings have some similarities to many that are out there, but also a few surprises.

Russ’ List:

Chris Kreider, Tim Erixon, Cal Hagelin, Jesper Fasth, Christian Thomas, Ryan Bourque, Dylan McIlrath, J.T. Miller, Steven Fogarty, Oscar Lindberg, Pavel Valentenko

For thoughts on his list and my own list continue after the jump.

Rumor: Wojtek Wolski Unlikely To Be Bought Out By Rangers

According to Larry Brooks at the New York Post the New York Rangers are not planning on buying out Wojtek Wolski as a way to gain additional cap relief this season.  Brooks goes on to say that Columbus is waiting to see what happens with Wolski, but that fails to track with the fact they signed Vinny Prospal yesterday to help replace the injured Kristian Huselius.  A buyout for Wolski would save the Rangers $3.33 million against a cap that is tighter than it appeared it would be a few weeks ago. 

According to CapGeek.com the Rangers have just under $5.78 million in cap space remaining to sign Ryan Callahan and likely Steve Eminger.  Those numbers factor in $1.75 million for Tim Erixon this season, but do not count Michael Del Zotto’s $1.0875 against the cap.  If we assume that both Erixon and Del Zotto make the team this fall they really have $4.69 million to sign Callahan and Eminger, which is not enough.  There will be a forward move either via trade or to the minors and right now if Wolski stays Mats Zucarello’s $1.75 million against the cap would seem a likely candidate.

Keeping Wolski for his final year at $3.8 million is a gamble on his talent, but also should indicate that they are intending on at least giving him a chance to make it on the top line with Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards.  When you have a player than could be bought out extremely cheap, as is the case with Wolski, and you keep them at their significant salary it is not so they can be a bottom six forward or scratched from the lineup.  The experiment of him playing with Gaborik and Richards could fail, but keeping him for his salary leads to the assumption it will at least be tested.

Would Rangers Sign J.T. Miller This Year?

When J.T. Miller was selected by the New York Rangers 15th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft he was headed to the prestigious college hockey program at the University of North Dakota.  Last week it was announced that Miller was backing out on that commitment and planning to play for Plymouth in the OHL next season.  Over at Hockey Buzz, Julie Robenhymer openly wonders if that plan will change again and see Miller sign with the Rangers and play in the AHL this season.  The chances of that happening are extremely slim, even though it is technically possible.

Columbus Signs Vinny Prospal To One Year Deal

When New York re-signed Ruslan Fedotenko and added Mike Rupp during free agency it was obvious that Vinny Prospal was not coming back to the organization next season.  After two years in which Prospal recorded 29 goals and 52 assists in 104 games, is moving on to the Columbus Blue Jackets with a one-year, $1.75 million contract.  The move was announced by Columbus GM Scott Howson through his twitter feed.

This is a great gamble for the Blue Jackets who were looking for a top six type forward to replace the recently injured Kristian Huselius.  The only question about the move is the condition of Prospal’s knee that caused him to miss 53 games last season.  A healthy Prospal will do great things for the Blue Jackets both on and off the ice.  If he plays with Jeff Carter and Rick Nash on the top line his playmaking ability will be extremely helpful to players who both know how to finish with regularity.  He is yet another addition that will help with the Columbus power play that struggled so mightily last season.

Beyond just his skill he will bring great enthusiasm to the club and his experience will be invaluable for a team that is built mainly of players who have not experienced much winning in the league.  New York wishes Vinny good luck and thanks him for all he brought the team these past two seasons.

Dubinsky Deal Sets Foundation As Rangers Turn To Signing Callahan Next

Now that Brandon Dubinsky’s contract is done, the New York Rangers will now turn their focus to Ryan Callahan and finalizing a long-term deal with the presumed next captain of the franchise.  The two sides have until July 28 to work out a deal before they would face an arbitration hearing, though most expect the deal to be done with a few days to spare.  The signing of Dubinsky should help the process along, as according to Callahan’s agent, Steve Bartlett, the deal will be a basis for the negotiations between his client and the franchise.

"Any signing of a player of similar age and accomplishments affects players who share restricted free agency," Bartlett said. "Much like the real estate market one looks at comparables. We know we're looking at houses on the same block, now we need to find out what's inside."

According to Kevin Oklobzija of the Democrat and Chronicle, Callahan himself said the following about Dubinsky’s deal:

"I think it lays the groundwork for my deal," Callahan said on Thursday.

The fact that Dubinsky’s deal would be used in negotiations with Callahan is something that most have expected since the arbitration order was announced earlier this month.  There has been debate over whether Callahan will get less, the same or more than Dubinsky, but based on what Bartlett had to say, you can expect that Callahan will be seeking more than what Dubinsky got in his deal.

Then there was this interesting quote from Callahan…

"I like where I am," he said. "Obviously the deal has to be right but I love New York and that's where I want to play."

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that and no one should begrudge him wanting to get the right deal for himself, but I cannot help but read that quote and wonder what the reaction would be if that had been said by Dubinsky a week before his arbitration hearing.  Though it is often forgotten, this is a business and the job for Bartlett is to get Callahan as much as he can.  Callahan is rightfully looking to get paid in a big way by the Rangers and they will certainly oblige him within the next few days and with it all the major work of the organization will be done for the summer and the team will have their foundation locked up for years to come.

Dubinsky Says He Is Ready For Higher Expectations, To Take Next Step

This morning I took a look at the four-year, $16.8 million contract Brandon Dubinsky and the New York Rangers agreed to yesterday and said that Dubinsky would have to raise his game to match the increased expectations.  In the course of that discussion I said that the consistency of his play was the key to Dubinsky being able to reach that higher level because he has shown over stretches that the talent to do so is clearly there.  In talking with Blueshirts United today, Dubinsky said he was ready for the challenge and agreed that consistency was the key for him going forward.

"There's a lot of weight that comes with the contract I just signed, and a lot of expectations that come with it, but I think I am ready to take that step and make sure that I play up to those expectations. I think I am improving and getting better each and every year, and I don't think this year will be any different. I look forward to build off the success I had last year. But to take that next step, personally, I need that consistency every night, the consistency in the level of my play. With the responsibility I have to the team, consistency is a big part of it for me."

The fact that Dubinsky is self-aware of where the issues are in his game is a great sign that he will continue to improve with each passing year and hit his potential during this contract.  When Dubinsky gets to his peak level that contract paying him $4.2 million per season will look like a brilliant investment on behalf of the Rangers organization.

For more on Dubinsky, the raised expectations and whether he will meet them check out this morning’s analysis.