The New York Rangers will have to make an important choice very soon...
According to the latest information obtained by Larry Brooks of the New York Post, the Rangers are reportedly in talks with their star forward Mika Zibanejad, in an effort to extend his contract.
Remember that there is only one season left on his current contract, which pays him $5.35 million per season. He is coming off a 50-point season, including 24 goals, in 56 games last year in the Big Apple.
Also according to Brooks, the 28-year-old center would command an average salary of $10 million per season for 8 years. That's exactly the same contract that Sabres captain Jack Eichel has.
The catch in all this? The Rangers were among the teams trying to acquire Eichel. However, they won't be able to own both of these monstrous contracts on their payroll.
Let's say the Rangers acquire the American forward and Zibanejad signs a contract extension worth $10 million annually, they would have three $10 million-plus players on their payroll, if you include Artemi Panarin, which is really not reasonable. New York would be putting themselves in trouble by doing this, just like the Maple Leafs are doing now.
In addition, the Rangers will have to extend the contract of Adam Fox next year, the latest recipient of the Norris Trophy given to the best defenseman in the NHL. He will likely have a monster contract for years to come.
So, they will have to make a choice, Zibanejad or Eichel?
Moreover, it would be very surprising if the New York organization decides to acquire Eichel, considering the price asked by the Sabres... According to rumors, Kevyn Adams would ask for the young Vitaly Kravtsov, Zac Jones, Filip Chytil (who are part of the Rangers' plans for the future), in addition to a first round pick.
The Sabres will have to lower their demands, without giving it away, if they want to hope to trade the services of number 9.
