When news broke on Tuesday that the New York Rangers were waiving Barclay Goodrow to help save money on the club’s tight salary cap, it seemed like a logical business decision. Rumors then circulated that the San Jose Sharks would claim the forward, and the “full circle” theories made everything look good for all parties involved.
This was a great move by General Manager Chris Drury. With the Sharks taking over the remaining contract, the club saves about $3.642 million in salary cap room and does not have to buy out the remaining portion of Goodrow’s contract, which would have had the Blueshirts paying him over the next five seasons.
The hard and somewhat tough business-like move that many around the league are talking about is how Drury got Goodrow to San Jose.
The New York Post reported via multiple sources on Wednesday that there is widespread belief that Barclay Goodrow had included the Sharks on his 15-team, no-trade list. Placing him on waivers is legal per the NHL-CBA agreement.
Strictly Business
Was this a savvy business decision? Absolutely. Is this collusion or illegal? Absolutely not.
From all indications, this prearranged deal with the Sharks was the agreement that San Jose would claim the 31-year-old Goodrow as they believed he would be a great leader on this young team.
The reality is that despite a strong playoff run, during which he scored six goals in 16 postseason games, he found the back of the net a mere four times in 80 regular-season games as he alternated between the third and fourth lines. In 241 games with the Rangers, Goodrow finished with 28 goals and 48 assists.
Goodrow is reportedly unhappy with how things transpired over the last 48 hours. Who can blame him? he is leaving a team that fell six victories away from winning a Stanley Cup to one of the worst teams in the NHL.
Unfortunately, a player’s feelings are not a factor in team decisions. Goodrow was paid well during his tenure with the Blueshirts, but Drury needs to improve this team in many areas if he wants another shot at a championship.
Salary Cap Implications
The Rangers have four or five roster spots open heading into free agency. With the Goodrow transaction, the club has approximately $12.8 million in cap space. The team has some RFA contracts to finalize with Ryan Lindgren and Braden Schneider.
The first thing they need to do before those two deals are approached is to sign Igor Shesterkin to an extension. He is entering the final year of his contract, which will pay him $5.666 million, and then he will become an unrestricted free agent.
Free agency begins on July 1, and the Rangers need to find a first-line right wing, get faster on the Blueline, and get stronger as a team overall if they want to be in the same conversation as the Florida Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes.
Hard business decisions need to be made to accomplish organizational goals. Goodrow was an alternate captain and a leader in the locker room and on the ice. Unfortunately, his contract and the club’s inability to win a Stanley Cup with some very good teams over the last few seasons have made him expendable.
Drury and Head Coach Peter Laviolette are in a win-now mode. With some of these contracts and the ages of the top players on the team—Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Artemi Panarin, and Jacob Trouba, to name a few—the window is closing fast for an opportunity to get a parade in the Canyon of Heros in downtown New York City.
The waiving of Goodrow may be just the beginning, as the first contract buyout period will open following the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final.
It’s never personal, it is always business.
Follow Frank on X at @Rangerproud.
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