The New York Rangers face a critical juncture as their veteran core ages and salary cap constraints loom large. With key players like Artemi Panarin and Chris Kreider both reaching 33, and Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck set to turn 32, the team must act swiftly. The Rangers have just under $9.7 million in cap space, yet with contract extensions for Igor Shesterkin and Alexis Lafreniere on the horizon, flexibility is limited. J.T. Miller’s potential trade could provide relief, but replacing him will be a challenge. Meanwhile, Kreider’s hefty cap hit complicates matters further. The team may consider salary retention or buyouts as options to navigate this evolving landscape.