Raanta was better than Lundqvist this year and will probably be better next year. Almost certain to be better after that.
I think what will happen is Lundqvist will be told that he is going to backup Raanta or he can waive his NMC for the expansion draft. Vegas selects him and are paid to do so by a 1st round pick in a good future draft. Lundqvist still gets to start rather than be a backup. He also moves to a 0% state income tax team from a very high state tax team. On his contract that could be an extra $400k a year or so.
The cap savings are used to upgrade the defense by signing Shattenkirk.
You get an upgrade on defense. Upgrade in goal overall for the next few years. And unless Shattenkirk wants the full cap savings this move generates, the excess can be used to retain Raanta on a 3 year contract until the other Ranger goalie prospects are ready. Otherwise, I can see Raanta leaving in a year because he wants to start.
So for that 1st round pick, Rangers effectively get Shattenkirk from the cap space freed up and can upgrade in goal by keeping Raanta.
http://www.tsn.ca/radio/ottawa-1200/mcguire-pekka-rinne-is-getting-lost-in-his-net-1.767073
13:05 or so. I thought Perry fits but the talk about how strong Vegas' goaltending will be makes me think Lundqvist.
Pierre McGuire says it's:
Very big name player
very high cap hit
1st round pick to vegas so they take him
makes vegas better than people think.
it's a cap dump so that means not on AZ or any team with space. Not ovechkin since he will return assets and not cost a 1st round pick to select him. Not anyone on Pitt or Nashville since they are still playing and I read that a deal like this can only be made once a team's season is done.
Pierre seemed certain vegas will have good goaltending. What guys fit what Pierre mentioned? there are not many. Perry, Lundqvist, and who else?
