Much like with Ryan Strome, the Rangers have another decision coming with Andrew Copp, another key top six player through the playoff run. But can, or even should, the Rangers re-sign Copp? Like Strome, he’s coming into a big payday on what could be a long term deal. The Rangers, cap crunched after next season, may have to make a difficult choice.
Copp is cheaper than Strome, but it still may not work
Unlike with Strome, Copp’s contract is affordable for this year under the cap. Copp’s most likely contract projection is 4 years at $5.768 million per Evolving-Hockey. They also put him at a significant chance of getting a 7 year deal in the $6.4 million range. That seven year deal doesn’t make sense for the Rangers, but a four year deal might.
For starters, $5.768 million is affordable next year without major moves needed, which is a bonus for the Rangers. The 4 year duration also matches the end of the Artemiy Panarin and Jacob Trouba contracts, and one year before the Chris Kreider and Barclay Goodrow contracts expire. Given the desire to win-now with the current core before some major turnover, this may be a prudent option for the Rangers.
The problem is that $5.768 million really hampers the Rangers after the 2022-2023 season. We all know who the Rangers need to re-sign then, and so do the Rangers. Can they bank on hockey revenue returning to normal, thus coming with a major cap ceiling increase? Highly doubtful.
So you’re looking at choosing Copp, who may or may not play center, over someone like Filip Chytil, or even potentially Ryan Lindgren.
If the Rangers re-sign Copp, where does he fit?
The big question for the offseason is at the center position. Chytil’s playoff performance may mean he’s in line to get a promotion to 2C with Panarin, but that may not impact Copp, who played RW with that line. But if the Rangers re-sign Copp, do they view him as a wing or at center? He can play both, after all.
Remember, the Rangers have Kaapo Kakko and Alexis Lafreniere pegged for top-six RW duties. They also have Sammy Blais and possibly Vitali Kravtsov vying for big roles as well, meaning if the Rangers re-sign Copp, he’s viewed as a center. Shelling out $5.768 million for a 3C is a luxury the Rangers can’t afford.
All signs are pointing to the Rangers hedging a bit with 2C, and signing a far cheaper option than Copp and Strome. That might change if someone comes down in asking price, but that’s unlikely. Both Strome and Copp are likely to get bags this summer. If the Rangers re-sign Copp (or Strome), they are choosing that risk over a kid down the line.
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