Rangers waive Barclay Goodrow in first huge shakeup after playoff ouster

The Rangers’ need for cap space ultimately outweighed the immeasurable contributions the team received from Barclay Goodrow in the playoffs, which forced the organization to place the utility forward on waivers on Tuesday as its first major change of the offseason. 

It was a move that can be boiled down to Goodrow’s $3,641,667 per year price tag that simply wasn’t justifiable for a 31-year-old fourth-liner who does not produce nearly as much as the cap charge commands. 

There’s no question the Blueshirts got their money’s worth in the postseason, where Goodrow has branded himself as a clutch performer through two Stanley Cups with the Lightning and two runs to the Eastern Conference Final with the Rangers. 

His six goals and two assists in 16 playoff games this season, however, couldn’t combat how much his contract limited the Rangers financially. 

By placing Goodrow on waivers, the Rangers allow themselves some cap flexibility no matter what happens.

With three years remaining on the six-year, $21.85 million deal president and general manager Chris Drury signed him to, which includes a 15-team no trade list, Goodrow is more likely to be claimed now and that would take his entire cap charge off the Rangers’ books. 

If Goodrow clears, the Rangers could bury his contract in the minors and save $1.15 million for now until a trade can be worked out.

The other option would be to buy him out when the window to do so opens 48 hours after the Stanley Cup Final ends and runs until June 30. 

A Goodrow buyout would give the Rangers a cap credit of $247,222 in the first year, but it would become a dead-cap charge of $1,002,778 next season before they are dinged with a $3,502,778 hit in 2026-27.

There’s also a lingering $1.111 million charge over the following three seasons.