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NHL Rumors: Keith Yandle has not had contract talks with Rangers

By Dave Stevenson

Nov 28, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Keith Yandle (93) plays the puck against the Philadelphia Flyers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Keith Yandle (93) plays the puck against the Philadelphia Flyers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Rangers haven’t had contract talks with pending unrestricted free agent defenseman Keith Yandle.

The New York Rangers could be in for a bit of change this offseason after failing to win the Stanley Cup despite having Stanley Cup aspirations before the 2015-16 season began. One of those changes will be happening on the blue line as the Rangers will, according to ESPN, not be bringing back defenseman Keith Yandle. Yandle was acquired from the Arizona Coyotes back at the 2014-15 trade deadline for Anthony Duclair, defenseman John Moore, and a first round pick.

It’s not a matter of the Rangers not wanting to keep Yandle. They would love to keep him as he is one of the better puck movers in the NHL. It’s a salary cap issue, and it’s a very complicated one. Yandle will likely command over $5 million per season as a free agent since he is the best defenseman in a rather weak free agent class.

However, the Rangers already have defensemen Dan Girardi and Marc Staal signed to significant extensions. They also need to take care of several restricted free agents, including J.T. Miller, Kevin Hayes, and Chris Kreider.

Unless the Rangers can find a way to trade Girardi and Staal (who both have no trade clauses) or decide to buy them out, the Rangers simply don’t have the money necessary to keep Yandle. Even if they trade Rick Nash, that would leave a gaping hole in their lineup that they would need to spend money to replace, leaving Yandle out of their plans.

For more NHL Free Agency coverage, check out our NHL hub page.

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