The Rangers’ final arbitration case has been settled, as they came to terms with 24-year-old Russian winger Pavel Buchnevich on a two-year deal worth $3.25 million per year days before his Monday hearing.
This now opens the Blueshirts’ window for a contract buyout from Monday until Wednesday at 5 p.m. The most likely buyout candidates would be defensemen Brendan Smith and Kevin Shattenkirk, both of whom have two years left on their deals, which would carry dead cap space for four years.
The Rangers remain over the $81.5 salary-cap ceiling, with a 10-percent summer allowance continuing until just before the start of the regular season, Oct.