There has been a lot of talk about RFAs this year, as the Rangers have a bunch (Derek Stepan, Carl Hagelin, J.T. Miller, Jesper Fast) heading into the offseason. But it’s also been a hot topic because teams like LA and Chicago have major cap problems with key RFAs –Tyler Toffoli and Brandon Saad, respectively– of their own. Below is the draft pick compensation for poaching an RFA.
| Average annual value | Compensation |
|---|---|
| Less than $1,205,377 | Nothing |
| $1,205,377-to-$1,826,328 | Third-round pick |
| $1,826,328-to-$3,652,659 | Second-round pick |
| $3,652,659-to-$5,478,986 | First and third-round picks |
| $5,478,986-to-$7,305,316 | First, second and third-round picks |
| $7,305,316-to-$9,131,645 | Two firsts, a second and third-round picks |
| $9,131,645 or greater | Four first-round picks |
I can see Hagelin potentially getting a deal that goes into that 1st/3rd round pick compensation territory, which would put the Rangers in a pretty pickle. The absolute worse case scenario for the Rangers would be Hagelin getting $3.6 million annually, meaning they would only get a 2nd round pick. Of course, electing to go to arbitration makes this point moot (Hags and Stepan are arbitration eligible).
Other than that, I can’t see a situation where the Rangers don’t match on Miller/Fast, since they likely won’t get north of $1.2 million a piece. Stepan may get $6 million, but I’m guessing that’s the budget for him anyway. Stepan/Hagelin are arbitration eligible as well, so that takes away some of the poaching appeal.
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