The New York Rangers had choices to make with free agents no matter what. But an early playoff exit has led to more speculation ahead of the off-season.
Patrick KaneExpectations were high for the New York Rangers entering this season after reaching the 2022 Eastern Conference final. They looked like a Stanley Cup contender after acquiring playoff rental wingers Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko before the March trade deadline.
The New Jersey Devils dashed those hopes as they eliminated the Rangers from the opening round in seven games.
With the Rangers down 3-2 to the Devils, The Athletic's Arthur Staple warned that changes could be coming for the Blueshirts if they failed to rally back. He speculated they could start behind the bench by replacing Gerard Gallant as the coach.
Following the Rangers' elimination, the New York Post's Larry Brooks also felt there could be some organizational changes and mused about Gallant's future.
ESPN.com's Kristen Shilton believes some roster changes could be in the cards. She doesn't expect Kane or Tarasenko will be back, given their UFA status and the Rangers' salary-cap constraints. With their anticipated departure, Brooks' colleague Mollie Walker points out they're back to where they started this season: lacking two scoring right wingers.
Walker and Staple also wondered about Alexis Lafreniere's future with the Rangers. The former No. 1 pick in the 2020 NHL draft has yet to play up to expectations and is coming off his entry-level contract this season.
Only 21 years old, Lafreniere still has plenty of time to reach his potential. The Rangers could be reluctant to give up on him only to see him flourish elsewhere. Nevertheless, Walker and Staple felt that management must consider if he's worth re-signing or has more value as a trade chip.