Brooks' premise is that clearing out Shattenkirk alone this season would be enough to get them under. Assuming DeAngelo and Lemieux sign what their QO's were, that gives them about $1.7 million in space with 13 F, 6 D, and 2 G. I've got Beleskey, McKegg, and Nieves all sent down and the following lineup.
Panarin - Mika - Kakko
Kreider - Chytil - Buch
Namestnikov - Lias - Kravtsov
Strome - Howden - Fast
Lemieux
Skjei - Trouba
Staal - DeAngelo
Smith - Fox
Henrik
Georgiev
If Names & Kreider are kept, I'd run with the following
Kreider-Zibs-Kakko
Panarin-Howden-Kravstov
Chytil-Strome-Buch
Names-Lias-Fast
Lemmy
Skjei-Trouba
Staal-DeAngelo
Hajek/Lindgren/Rykov-Fox
Hank
Georgie/Shesty
At the deadline- I would trade Fast, Kreider and Names for one last sell-off.
Fast for a 3rd round pick & a 2020 7th
Names (50%) for a 3rd & 2020 7th
Kreider for an NHL ready prospect and a 2020 1st.
I'm not expecting the Rangers to make the playoffs. The PK and defense aren't going to hold up to do that, and the team is very young with a lot of effective hockey roles not being filled yet.