The New York Rangers have a number of high-profile restricted free agents who need new deals before the start of next season, but team brass should be looking forward to next summer.
Next summer, Derek Stepan's current two-year deal worth $3.075 million a year will expire, and it has been suggested by writers such as Larry Brooks of the New York Post and Lyle Richardson of Bleacher Report that Stepan is due for a big raise.
With reports, via Brooks, coming out that current RFA Derick Brassard is seeking a multiyear deal worth $5.5 million a season, should the Blueshirts try and ink Stepan to a deal that will help their bottom line going forward?
Once the Rangers square away their situation with Mats Zuccarello, Chris Kreider, John Moore and Brassard, it would be prudent to try and ink Stepan to a new deal that is between three and five years in length.
Brassard's deal could set the bar for Stepan, and that bar could only increase after the upcoming season. There is a risk of handing Stepan a new deal coming off a solid season, but it is one worth taking because they could get burned worse ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Tom Urtz Jr.
Should New York Rangers Consider Extending Derek Stepan Now?
July 17th, 2014 by Tom Urtz Jr. Leave a reply »
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