Anton Stralman Rejects 9 Million Dollar Offer

Stralman has rejected an offer to stay with the Rangers. What’s next? (AP)

The New York Rangers have offered defensemen Anton Stralman a 3-year $9 million dollar extension which Stralman had declined. If he walks, who steps in? Stralman is currently in the final year of his two-year contract which pays him $1.7 million dollars per season. With Stralman set to be a free agent in the off-season and his recent declining of an extension, do the Rangers look elsewhere or do they up their offer to keep Stralman on the blue line? What exactly will his price tag be? Stralman has been a solid addition to the defense since coming over in the 2011-2012 season. He’s been trusted to log big minutes, and has become one of the top penalty killers on the team, but how valuable will that be when it comes to his cap hit?

If he walks, the Rangers can look to players like Connor Allen or Dylan McIlrath, who both have had some experience in the NHL during this season. They could also look to play a new Ranger, who was just recently acquired from the Canucks, defensemen Raphael Diaz. If it comes down to those 3, Diaz has the most NHL experience, playing 134 career games. However, he needs to re-sign also. If the Rangers wanted to toughen up their blue line, they can look to 2010 first round pick, Dylan McIlrath. Standing at 6’5”, he can add some much needed size to the line up, and he has shown he’s not afraid to drop the gloves and stick up for his teammates.

Rangers fans have waited a long time for McIlrath to develop and make it up to the NHL. If Stralman walks, this may be McIlrath’s time to shine and make the 6th spot on the defense his for the long term.

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