6:41PM: Larry Brooks writes that Jeff Gorton is an "interested third-party" in the John Tavares situation because the Rangers have the cap space to help teams like Tampa, Toronto or Dallas make room in the event Tavares wants to sign in one of those places. (NY Post)
9:19AM: Larry Brooks writes that while the Rangers will have a lot of cap space this summer, they do not intend on "becoming a depository for faded veterans." (NY Post)
He notes though that if a team like the Penguins were to often a "sweetener" the Rangers might be interested in re-acquiring Carl Hagelin and the one-year and four-million cap hit he has left on his deal. (NY Post)
Brooks also mentions Ryan Callahan, who has two-years left on his deal at $5.8 million, as someone the Rangers could consider if Tampa were to include a "suitable inducement" along with their former captain. (NY Post)
Brooks wrote this past weekend about the idea of Toronto possibly shedding Nathan Horton's contract (2-years and $5.3 million) and that the Rangers could be a fit. (NY Post)
The Rangers are projected to have around $29 million in cap space for next season. (CapFriendly)
Adam Rotter: The Rangers have cap space but I don't think they will use it to do anyone a favor or take on anyone with more than two-years left on a deal. I think that the perfect scenario for the Rangers would be to given something worthwhile to take on someone for cap relief but to also have that player fit somewhere into where the Rangers are. Ryan Callahan and Carl Hagelin would both fit that mold of guys who have been Rangers, had success and can be leaders to the young players. The focal point of any deal like that would be what the Rangers would get in addition, picks or prospects, to those players and the little they would have to give up, but the ideal scenario would see the Rangers use their space to get someone near the end of a contract, get a useful asset and someone who could step into a nice role on David Quinn's team.
The other option is to add an asset by taking on Horton, Marian Hossa's or someone else on LTIR's contract. All that would do is eat up cap space and a spot on the 50 contract list, but it wouldn't impact the day to day lineup the way that someone like Hagelin or Callahan might. Ultimately the Rangers should go down both roads and see what someone in a cap crunch is willing to pay for some relief.