Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

If The New York Rangers Want To Sign Brendan Smith

05/22/2017 at 4:21pm EDT

from Larry Brooks of the New York Post,

Brendan Smith’s sights are not necessarily set on hitting the open market on July 1, but the impending free-agent defenseman’s agent made it clear Monday that while the 28-year-old could eschew free agency to remain with the Rangers, it would have to be for a fair market value deal.

“Brendan has told me that he enjoyed the entire experience of playing in New York and being with the Rangers and that he certainly would consider signing a new deal and going back instead of becoming a free agent,” Anton Thun told The Post. “But at the same time, I want to make it clear that he hasn’t told me, ‘Get a deal done with the Rangers.’

“He’s looking for a good fit with a good organization, and the Rangers certainly qualify. But to pass up free agency, Brendan’s going to need a contract that reflects market value.”...

It is difficult to project the Rangers’ cap space for next season until a resolution is reached regarding potential buyouts of Dan Girardi and/or Marc Staal and possible trades of core forwards. Suffice to say, however, it will likely take a deal of four or five years between $4 million and $4.5 million per to keep Smith from sniffing around the open market. The Blueshirts certainly should be able to afford that.

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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

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