While expressing their desire to return to the Rangers, the futures of many free agents including Blake Wheeler, Alex Wennberg and Erik Gustafsson are still uncertain.
The New York Rangers have a few unrestricted free agents that will hit the open market on July 1.
Their futures in New York seem to be in limbo including Blake Wheeler who is actually mulling retirement.
“I have three kids: an 11-year-old, an 8-year-old, a 6-year-old. The 11-year-old’s gonna be in middle school next year,” Wheeler said. “When you come to make those decisions now, I still love the game, still love to play, but I want to be around for their childhood, too, so I think those are the things you weigh.”
Wheeler played 54 games for the Rangers this year where he had nine goals, 12 assists and 21 points. In February, the 37-year-old suffered a leg injury that kept him out for the remainder of the regular season and majority of the playoffs.
Another forward who is set to become an unrestricted free agent is Alex Wennberg.
The Rangers acquired him at the NHL Trade Deadline this year and while he only produced two goals in 26 games including in the playoffs, Wennberg served an important two-way role for the team.
Wennberg expressed his desire to return to New York next season and talked about his short time with the Rangers.
“I would love to stay,” Wennberg said. “That’s something we’ll discuss in the future. It’s good memories so far from this place. I would definitely want to come back here.”
On the defensive side, Erik Gustafsson is a player that Rangers general manager Chris Drury will have to decide if he wants to keep on the roster.
After signing a one-year, $825,000 contract last summer, he played a surprisingly larger role than originally anticipated. In 76 games, Gustafsson tallied six goals, 25 assists and 31 points.
While talking about his desire to stay with the Rangers, Gustafsson seemed unsure of where he will be in the future.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6k6tcEa1GU[/embed]
“Obviously, I love playing here,” Gustafsson said. “I can’t see into the future, but I have family and stuff like that. I have to see what’s happening. I love playing here, and I love the group in here. We’ll see what happens.”
Jack Roslovic and Chad Ruhwedel will also be free agents with their future in New York hanging in the balance.