NHL Rumors: Strome Moving On From Rangers



According to Mollie Walker of the New York Post, "Ryan Strome just shook all of our hands as he left the press conference room. Thanked us all." Take that how you will, but there has been talk that he won't be returning to the New York Rangers after this season due to multiple factors.

Strome is a 28 year old unrestricted free agent that has been playing in the top-6 for the past three and a half seasons. The team took a big step this postseason by making it to Game 6 of the conference finals but losing to the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions. He will likely fetch a decently high price for his services and at his age would be looking for a long-term deal. He has scored 71 goals and 195 points in 263 games with the Rangers.

The team acquired Andrew Copp at the trade deadline and he fit in perfectly with the Rangers. It seems like the team wants him back, and with the growth of Alexis Lefreniere and Filip Chytil who are pushing for top-6 minutes, there is now a logjam. The Rangers have to prioritize signing some of their younger talent that is coming off of entry-level contracts and bridge deals as they will soon be strapped for cap once it's all said and done. They have to start thinking about the very near future and if they want to choose a veteran over their future.

There hasn't been room on the top power-play unit for Lafreniere and he is primed for a breakout season after his performance in the 2022 playoffs. Nothing is set in stone yet, but the Rangers won't be in a bad position if they let Strome go in free agency.

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