NY Rangers Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Steven Stamkos and Thomas Vanek

Last season was the first time since 2010 that the New York Rangers did not make it out of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. 

Despite making the postseason in 10 of the past 11 seasons, it's been 22 years since the Rangers last lifted the Stanley Cup. For many within such a large, demanding market like New York, that's unacceptable, and changes seem poised to made.

Here are the latest rumors surrounding possible new faces that could be seen at Madison Square Garden next season. 

Is Steven Stamkos a Legitimate Target?

Unrestricted free-agent Steven Stamkos is one of the best goal scorers in the game. The center has spent the past eight seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning and scored 40 or more goals four times. 

But the inability for Stamkos and the Lightning to reach an extension has the Ontario native poised to hit the market with as much buzz as a big-name NBA free agent. 

Originally, the Lightning had offered Stamkos an eight-year, $68 million deal in January, but it was later revealed that Stamkos was—and still is—looking for a deal in the range of $11 to $12 million per year, according to Sportsnet's Dean Blundell. 

That's had teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings clearing space in an attempt to make a run at Stamkos this summer. 

The Rangers, though, haven't necessarily been linked with him. But multiple league executives told the Toronto Star's Dave Feschuk that "it’s widely expected the New York Rangers will also come forth with a hefty contract offer. (“Gazillions,” was one estimate of what the Rangers will be willing to spend.)"

At the moment, the Rangers have $56.6 million of base salary to pay their active contracts with the cap total at $57.7 million for next season, per Spotrac.

By those numbers, New York would have around $16 million left to spend if the salary cap moves up to $74 million, which would be more than enough if they didn't need anything else. 

However, holes in the defense, especially with the departure of Keith Yandle to the Florida Panthers, might lead the Rangers to use up some of that money.

So if New York is serious about going after Stamkos, look for the players who provide the largest cap hits like Rick Nash and Derek Stepan to be a part of trade conversations. 

Rangers Could Take a Run at Vanek

Veteran winger Thomas Vanek has already played in New York, but it came with the New York Islanders for just 47 games while they were still at the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island. 

After the 32-year-old was bought out by the Minnesota Wild on Friday, sources told Larry Brooks of the New York Post on Sunday that the Rangers "intend to touch base" with Vanek. 

He isn't the same kind of player that scored 254 goals in eight-plus seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, but Vanek showed over his two seasons in Minnesota that he can still be a serviceable middle-six forward that can put up around 20 goals per season. 

Brooks believes that the Rangers aren't willing to give him a lot of money either, citing Benoit Pouliot's one-year, $1.3 million deal he signed in 2013-14 as the kind of framework a possible deal could follow. 

He could be a decent, inexpensive option at forward, especially if the Rangers do something with a player like Nash, who gave New York a list of 12 teams he could be sent to as part of a modified no-trade clause, per Brooks. 

If the Rangers do offer a deal to Vanek, don't be surprised if he turns it down—not only because of the money, but because of the setting. 

The Islanders moving to Brooklyn was a big reason why he didn't re-sign with them prior to the 2014 season, as he told Chad Graff of the Pioneer Press: 

"

The way it was mentioned to me was, you’d have morning skate down here (at Barclays Center) and pretty much get a day room (at a hotel). With the distances and the traffic, I didn’t feel like my (sons) would come to many games. And that, to me, wasn’t attractive. I want my kids to be at the games. They love going to the games and coming down after, and (I like) having them be a part of my career and my games. I didn’t like” the move to Brooklyn.

"

Manhattan, which is just a borough over from Brooklyn, offers the same kind of lifestyle, which might keep the Rangers from getting Vanek should they pursue his signature.  

Stats courtesy of Hockey-Reference.com.