Two-time former Ranger, Tyler Motte signed a one-year, $800K deal with the Lightning on Saturday. A spot and cap room was created when Josh Archibald told Tampa Bay that he did not want to play, resulting in him being put on waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract. The dollars allocated to Archibald were then shifted to Motte.
Most of the off-season, just like last offseason, speculation was that Motte wanted to return to New York. Just like last offseason, that did not come to fruition. Salary demands were reportedly at the root of him signing with Ottawa last year as the Rangers were unable to create sufficient space to slot Motte him based on his asking price, rumored then to be around $1.5 million. Motte received $1.35 mil from the Sens, then was dealt to the Rangers at the deadline.
The dream/thought of adding Motte - even at the deadline - likely is gone completely after he signed with Tampa. Barring a complete collapse, the Lightning will be in the playoff hunt, making it exceedingly unlikely that they deal him. Plus, he fills a material need for that team following the retirement of Archibald.
For New York, it's an opportunity lost. Motte fit in well both times he played for the Rangers. Able to play wing and center, Motte provided the team with a solid fourth-line player who could also play on the penalty kill. Injuries impacted both of his terms in New York, especially the first time around.
Larry Brooks puts the onus on Motte not returning on the player based on his asking price. If you believe what he tweeted, or I guess now Xed, Motte priced himself out of what the team could afford. Then, when the asking price dropped, there was no room at the inn, though with 48 contracts, the team could add two more before hitting the max quota.
Have been told by multiple sources that Motte’s asking price into free agency and much of the summer was $2M per. Second consecutive offseason this useful fourth-liner misread the market and priced himself out of New York. Then when he dropped his demands, the Rangers didn't have much room at the inn for him, though they had two open contract slots.
Rangers currently have 48 contracts, two below max. When Motte accepted reality, it was too late for NYR
This offseason, GM Chris Drury bolstered the fourth line by signing Nick Bonino to a one-year $800K contract, Tyler Pitlick to a one-year $787,500 contract, Riley Nash to a two-year contract, $775K AAV and Alex Belzile to a two-year contract, $775K AAV. Bonino and Pitlick are expected to make up two-thirds of the fourth line with Jimmy Vesey the probable left winger. As of now, Barclay Goodrow is the probable third line right wing, though he and Vesey could switch spots.
When Alexis Lafreniere signed a few weeks ago, Cap Friendly had the Rangers, $46k above the limit. That figure includes 13 F, 8D and 2G. If Connor Mackey, listed as the eighth d-man is demoted as expected - insert whichever 8th d-man you want, as Erik Gustafsson and Zac Jones will be six and seven - then New York is 700+K below the cap limit.
Motte receiving $800K from Tampa, who play in a state with no state income tax, is probably closer to around $1.1 million if he signed in New York. Nash and Belzile could both potentially end up at Hartford. If both are sent down, that leaves the Rangers with 12 forwards and another $775K of cap space, which would have been just enough to fit in Motte. I do think Drury decided to move on from Motte based on asking price, but also, he might have wanted to create roster space for either Will Cuylle or Brennan Othmann to make the team, either out of training camp or early in the season.
Othmann ($863K) and Cuylle ($828k) could each slot in based on the available cap space, especially if the current 13F is sent down. Neither are expected to break camp with the squad, but a strong performance could change management's minds. Cuylle profiles as a fourth liner while Othmann more so on the third. If Cuylle makes it, he could see time on the third line, but Goodrow would be better served there. Othmann would bump Goodrow down to the fourth line, strengthening that unit. Motte signing in Tampa removes a possible PTO option and a player who could have helped the team. But roster flexibility now still exists for the two young wingers if they earn the spot.
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