New York Rangers top three potential compliance buyout options

Conclusion

This is not going to be an easy decision for the organization to make. At this point, there are no franchise-altering losses at stake. All of the players on this list are either beyond the prime of their careers or are grossly underperforming.

I think that the most critical aspect of this move comes down to the defensive core of the future. The New York Rangers have an opportunity to expedite the arrival of young defensemen to Broadway by clearing roster space. For this reason, Brendan Smith should be the one to have his contract terminated.

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There are several prospects ready to make the jump to the big club. Clearing a much-needed spot on the roster will give someone like K’Andre Miller, Yegor Rykov, or Nils Lundkvist that chance as early as next season. Besides, Staal and Lundqvist may still have some limited trade value (the Rangers would have to give large incentives for another team to make a deal, but it is doable).

Smith has not been the impact player that the New York Rangers saw flashes of in the 2017 playoffs. It’s time to cut their losses and make way for the youth movement this organization has been building since Glen Sather’s letter to Blueshirts fans in 2018.

Who do you think the New York Rangers should buyout if they get a chance. Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.