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5 New York Rangers That Won't Be Back Next Season

By Nicholas Rome

Nov 21, 2021; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren (55) celebrates his go-ahead goal with one second left with right wing Kaapo Kakko (24) against the Buffalo Sabres during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2021; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren (55) celebrates his go-ahead goal with one second left with right wing Kaapo Kakko (24) against the Buffalo Sabres during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports / Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
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After a disappointing end to a season where the Rangers looked like the best team in the league, winning the President's Trophy, there are going to be some shakeups to the roster. The Rangers have $12.1 Million Dollars in projected cap space heading into the offseason with 12 active players under contract. The Rangers will have a few key pieces hitting free agency with the potential of some fan favorites parting ways with the team.

5. Alex Wennberg - Center

The Rangers biggest trade of the deadline was acquiring Alex Wennberg from the Kraken as the team lost Filip Chytil at Center. The Rangers overall got a solid player in trading for Alex Wennberg and he became a vital piece for the team's defensive bottom six. In the playoffs, however, Wennberg was rather ineffective, scoring just one goal with one assist.

The Rangers have three centers set in stone heading into 2024-25 with Mika Zibanejad, Vincent Trocheck, and Filip Chytil meaning Wennberg, if re-signed, would be a bottom six player. The Rangers only have $12.1 Million dollars in cap space which is an issue as Wennberg will likely command around $4 million. The team shouldn't bring Wennberg back as the team already extended Johnny Brodzinski who can provide a similar level of play on the fourth line.

4. Jack Roslovic - Right Wing

The Rangers other trade deadline move was bringing in Jack Roslovic after losing top-line winger Blake Wheeler. The speed of Roslovic looked like it would be a perfect fit alongside Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, but down the stretch and in the playoffs Roslovic was pretty ineffective. In the postseason Roslovic saw himself go from a top line wing to playing on the third and fourth line. Simply put, Roslovic wasn't the best fit in Peter Laviolette's system and both sides would be best off parting ways.

3. Blake Wheeler - Right Wing

The Rangers signed Blake Wheeler with the plan that he'd fill a role in the bottom six, however that quickly changed as Kaapo Kaako wasn't productive on the top line. In 54 regular season games, Wheeler scored nine goals with 21 points. Wheeler would miss the rest of the Regular Season after suffering a devastating leg injury. The Rangers brought back Wheeler for one game against the Florida Panthers, but the Rangers really didn't get a boost.

At Blake Wheeler's age, the Rangers will likely look to go elsewhere, especially after a leg injury when Wheeler already isn't the fastest. The Rangers have younger skaters in the system like Brennan Othmann that are a better fit in the bottom six at a cheaper price.

2. Ryan Lindgren - Defensemen

This move is the one that makes the Rangers fans the most upset as Ryan Lindgren has become a fan favorite ever since coming over in the Rick Nash trade. Through his time in New York, Ryan Lindgren has gained the reputation of a warrior as he's consistently returning faster than expected from injuries.

The injuries Lindgren battles through, however, are the biggest reason the team should steer away from signing Ryan Lindgren unless he's on a very team friendly deal. Over his time in New York Lindgren has faced punishment from opposing teams and the injuries may start to show on this second contract. The Rangers have a young cheaper defenseman in Zac Jones who will likely fill the spot of Lindgren if the Rangers let him leave.

1. Kaapo Kakko - Right Wing

At this point it is nearly impossible to see a way where Kaapo Kakko can reach the star potential he once had while it may be even harder to envision a way where he returns to Broadway. Two of the past three seasons, the New York Rangers have made it to the Eastern Conference Finals and both times Kaapo Kakko has found himself scratched from the lineup.

The Rangers tried to hold Kakko out of trade packages with the hope that he would develop, but it's time for the Rangers to move on. Kakko spent the majority of the season on the third line as he hasn't played well on the top line while the Panarin, Lafreniere, and Trocheck line will stay together in 2024-25.

Kakko is a restricted free agent this off-season, but the only way the Rangers should re-sign him is if it's with the intention of using him as a trade chip. After recording just 19 points this regular season, the Rangers can ill afford to pay a player with Kakko's lack of production as much as he will likely command.

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