Stepan filed for arbitration and his hearing was set for today. Last year, Stepan had 16 goals and 55 points in 68 games, giving him a plus/minus of +26.
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It’s more than Brandon Saad, 22, is getting from the Columbus Blue Jackets over six seasons ($6 million), with the Rangers gobbling up more of Stepan’s UFA years.
“This is a 25-year-old player, who has played well for us already, and who now will play his prime years for us moving forward”. “These things just do take time, setting up everything”, Stepan said on a conference call Monday.
“It’s a great feeling”, Stepan said, adding that though he hoped to make a deal with the team and avoid arbitration, “it went all the way to the door”. Like with the Braden Holtby case where he was reported to be asking north of $8 million, the player’s ask doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re actually looking for that. The only misstep for GM Jeff Gorton, in his first big test, was handing out no-movement protection to Stepan despite this contract meeting his financial obligations.
Derek Stepan has reportedly agreed with the Rangers on a new deal.
In the past five seasons, Stepan has been a very important part of the Rangers’ recent success, as he has been one of their most consistent players. He tied for the team lead in power play goals, ranked third in points and shots on goal (48), and tied for third in goals, assists, game-winning goals (one), and power play points (four) in the 2015 Playoffs.
The other was Jonathan Toews of the Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks.
Stepan has skated in 362 career National Hockey League games over five seasons, all with the Rangers, registering 89 goals and 163 assists for 252 points, along with a plus-85 rating and 94 penalty minutes.
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The 51st overall pick in the 2008 draft, Stepan has developed into the Rangers’ top center since making his debut back in 2010. His Game 7 overtime victor against the Capitals in Round 2 was the high point of the best playoffs of his career.
