Unrestricted free agents: Alexander Wennberg, Jack Roslovic, Erik Gustafsson, Chad Ruhwedel, Blake Wheeler
Restricted free agents: Kaapo Kakko, Ryan Lindgren, Braden Schneider
The Rangers may need to find a new third-line center as Alexander Wennberg heads into free agency.
A trade deadline pickup from the Seattle Kraken, who retained half his salary, Wennberg helped fill out New York's center depth at a discount. He contributed five points (one goal, four assists) in 19 regular-season games and became a go-to on faceoffs after fellow veteran center Nick Bonino was waived in February.
The Blueshirts could also bid farewell to Blake Wheeler, who missed the last two months of the regular season after suffering a right leg injury in February. The veteran winger, who joined the Rangers last offseason after 12 full seasons with the Winnipeg Jets, turns 38 in August.
The most pressing restricted free agent negotiation the Rangers will begin this offseason involves Kaapo Kakko.
After contributing 18 goals and 22 assists in the regular season prior, Kakko's numbers dipped in 2023-24. In addition to being sidelined 21 games with a lower-body injury, Kakko struggled to produce when healthy. His 19 points in 61 regular-season games, despite getting opportunities to play within the Rangers' high-octane top six, sparked trade rumors around the deadline.
That deal never materialized, and the Rangers would prefer not to lose the No. 2 pick of the 2019 draft for nothing.
New York could consider offering Kakko a similar contract to what Alexis Lafreniere, the top pick of the 2020 draft, was offered last offseason: a two-year deal worth $4.65 million. A contract in that range would allow the Rangers cap flexibility, while giving Kakko the chance to compete for a more lucrative extension if he is able to up his production by the end of the deal.
