The New York Rangers are still awaiting word if Ryan Strome will have surgery this offseason.
Strome missed one game of the Eastern Conference Final, and could not get through Game 6 to help the Rangers avoid elimination due to an injury he re-aggravated in the series against the Lightning.
“During the second half of the year, I was dealing with the same thing and missed a couple of games,” Strome admitted. “The playoffs it got worse the last two rounds. I was dealing with a pelvis injury that effects both groins and your abs. It felt like I was playing with a knife in my stomach.”
Ryan Strome surgery
At the end of the season, Strome indicated that he would receive word on if he needed surgery. That was over a week ago and the Rangers are still waiting to see if he’ll have it done. According to Larry Brooks of the NY Post, he’s still trying to avoid it.
The Post, however, has been told by two individuals familiar with the situation that the impending unrestricted free agent is still hopeful surgery can be avoided and that there will be enough time this offseason for a rehab program to take care of the matter.
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Strome, 28, had a solid season with the Rangers picking up 21 goals and 54 points in 74 regular-season games. In the postseason, he added another 9 points in 19 contests.
Since joining the team in a one-for-one steal by Jeff Gorton in exchange for Ryan Spooner during the 2018-19 season, he’s registered 195 points in 263 games. His on and off ice chemistry with Artemi Panarin has also become a big reason for the team’s success.
On July 13, Strome will be completing a 2-year deal he signed with the Blueshirts back in 2020 for $4.5M AAV.
“My longest deal has been my entry-level contract (3 years with two slides), so hopefully it’s a little longer than that,” Strome said on breakup day. “My first choice is to still be a New York Ranger. I think I’ve given them the indication that’s my feeling. If that’s not the case then we will cross that bridge when we get to it.”
What’s the number that Strome will be happy with? He could fetch anywhere from to $6M to $7M million on the open market for at least five years. The Rangers are probably looking for something along the lines of $5M to $5.5M on a three year deal (max four).
Unless, the Rangers and Andrew Copp come to a deal first. With limited cap space, they can only keep one.
Who will be the next captain?
The Rangers were set to name a captain before the season started, with multiple sources indicating it was going to be Jacob Trouba.
Gerard Gallant said he spoke with Chris Drury during camp and wanted to go with six alternates.
On breakup day the question arose again with Gallant noting that it will be discussed for next season.
“We’re going to talk about that again obviously,” said Gallant on naming a captain. “Me, Chris [Drury], and the ownership haven’t talked about it yet.”
When it comes to naming a captain the clear choice for me is Mika Zibanejad.
The Blueshirts top center was their leading scorer in the playoffs with 24 points (10G – 14A) in 20 games. Mika does it all for the Rangers as the #1 center, top PK pivot, and the shot everyone looks for on the first PP unit.
He’s also starting the first year of an 8-year contract extension signed last offseason.
Of course, you don’t have to take my word for it, just listen to his linemate Chris Kreider marvel at his performance in these playoffs.
“I couldn’t be more proud,” Kreider said. “It’s very contagious when your leader, the best player on your team, that does everything for you rises to the challenge night in and night out.”
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