The New York Rangers announced on Wednesday that they are bringing back Vinni Lettieri and here’s how it affects their cap situation.
The New York Rangers have agreed to terms with forward Vinni Lettieri who can add depth to the organization. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
OFFICIAL: #NYR have agreed to terms with restricted free agent forward Vinni Lettieri on a one-year deal.
— x – New York Rangers (@NYRangers) July 24, 2019
Lettieri, 24, appeared in 27 games for the Blueshirts recording one goal with two assists. In his two up-and-down seasons for New York so far, he has recorded two goals with eight points playing in 46 games.
Lettieri just completed a two-year, $1.85 million contract that had a $925,000 yearly cap hit.
The Rangers are currently over the $81.5 million dollar salary cap, but this signing shouldn’t affect their cap problems.
The center is waiver exempt which means he can be sent to the AHL without first going through the waiver process. As long as his contract doesn’t pay him more than $1.025 million his salary will not go against the team’s salary cap should he be sent to the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack.
While in Hartford last season, Lettieri netted 23 goals along with 25 helpers for 48 points. The Wolf Pack didn’t qualify for postseason play.
The Rangers are approximately $925,000 over their cap space following the signing of defenseman Jacob Trouba to a seven-year, $56 million deal which was announced last Friday.
The team will need to make some trades and/or consider buyouts for some players in order for the team to clear enough space to sign restricted free agents Pavel Buchnevich, Brendan Lemieux and Anthony DeAngelo.
An arbitration hearing for Buchnevich is scheduled for next Monday in Toronto.
