Look at all the expiring contracts in key positions... they absolutely should start the season with as much cap as possible. If a playoff run is looking likely, get some rentals if needed at the deadline. Right now, I really wouldn't do anything. Georgiev and Jones can be dealt at the deadline for picks/propects/rentals. It's best to start the year with them in case of injuries, etc. This is the first "full" year in two years, so I expect there to be some fatigue and whatnot, especially in goal

They do have a ton of potential performances bonuses...might not be the worst thing in the world to give the team a year of growth, see where they are at the deadline, and go from there.

Still have the potential to be a prettttty sneaky squad (albeit in a very tough division).

*Should* see guys like Miller, Kakko, Laffy (With a solid offseason I feel like he's going to breakout...jumped straight to the NHL after a covid lockdown from March-Dec, didn't play in the WJC, etc.), and Chytil take a solid step forward this year. Not a Rags fan, and definitely get a kick out of the "SO AND SO IS THE GREATEST PROSPECT EVER!" thing that was going on during the constant Eichel trades on here, but man, I definitely think they're a potential threat moving forward.

why eat up the bonus carry over on bad contracts when cap space will be important next season?
it's not like the Rangers need more prospects in the pool at this point?

Unless Laf and Kakko have Hart type seasons we won’t have more than 1M in bonuses to pay out so it shouldn’t be a problem. However, save that cap space for TDL deals and not dead cap signings.

I mean why not both... like 9.4m opening night cap space mean they would have an obscene amount of TDL cap space accrued, like 20 m or something. Their actual bonus liability is much less than it was last year, the odds of them having carryover is super low, and if they do, that means they had some awesome years from the young kids AND added a bunch of pieces. If they just do nothing and open the season with almost 9m in cap space, its a massive mistake. They should be taking on some bad expiring deals from teams that need to get under the cap if they dont add Eichel.

you miss the point entirely. All those expiring deals that need to be re-signed are next years cap problem. The Rangers have ludicrous space this season and to do nothing with it, to not weaponize it all and just shrug and play out the year would be a massive missed opportunity on an expiring asset, in this case short term cap space.

Could do both but can’t go overboard with the deadweight at the beginning. I’d allow a potential 2M bonus, 3M for TDL(which will become like 9M), the rest could go towards dead cap contracts for compensation as long as it’s quality picks

If they were to do what you suggest, it ties Drury hands to make deals during this season, if the need arises, so why do that? I agree spend the money IF IT MAKES THE TEAM BETTER, but to just take bad contracts to pick up some draft picks is not helpful if it limits what Drury can do THIS SEASON. What if they are doing well and in the playoff hunt and need cap space at the deadline? Better to have it instead of a few extra draft picks for future years. Cap flexibility is a GOOD thing.

From a not fan of the team, what would the temperature be on a trade of Kravtsov? Seems like your flush with RWers, what kind of return would seem reasonable? Or is he more or less an untouchable at this point?

1) Need cap space to cover bonuses so it doesn’t carry into next year when cap becomes much more important to us

2) Jones can get some time in the AHL, will be a good trade chip at the deadline or next offseason. Having a lot of talent on the blue line is a good thing