In order to free up some contract space before NHL free agency begins in less than two weeks, the New York Rangers placed forward Barclay Goodrow on waivers on Tuesday. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet broke the story first.
The Tampa Bay Lightning gave up Goodrow’s signing rights to the Rangers in 2021 in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick. He was quickly signed by New York to a six-year deal of $3.642 AAV, three years of which are still left on it.
Goodrow was a penalty-killing, energy line player for the Lightning, where he won two Stanley Cups. During Goodrow’s three seasons with the team, New York has advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals in two of them.
Goodrow struggled in the 2023–24 regular season, managing just 12 points (4g, 8a) in 80 games, following two seasons in which he scored 30 points or more with the Rangers. His postseason play, which included eight points (6g, 2a) in 16 playoff games, more than made up for it.
Despite the statistical improvement in the spring, New York had a great deal of difficulty matching him in five-on-five play on the ice. When Goodrow was playing, the Rangers scored only 34.2% of the goals that were anticipated.
The Rangers will fully avoid Goodrow’s $3.642 million salary cap cost if a team claims him. They will still have $1.15 million in cap space if he is unclaimed, and they’ll probably have to go through the buyout procedure for the final three seasons of his contract when that window opens, which should happen shortly after the Stanley Cup Final this year.
The Rangers would be responsible for $1,111,111 million through 2029–2030 in the event of a buyout.
Ryan Lindgren and Braden Schneider, two important prospective restricted free agents for New York, require new contracts. Additionally slated to become unrestricted free agents are Jack Roslovic, Blake Wheeler, Erik Gustafsson, Chad Ruhwedel, and Alexander Wennberg.
