As I wrote last week, the Rangers still have many questions to answer for next season. With only about $12M in cap space available, according to CapFriendly, the Rangers still need to re-sign Kaapo Kakko, a backup goaltender, and a center, whether that be Ryan Strome, Andrew Copp, or someone in free agency. On top of that, the cap space gets even tighter after next year, as Alexis Lafrenière and K'Andre Miller will be coming off of their entry-level contracts and will be looking for more salary. That leaves the Rangers with not many options this offseason to make the necessary improvements for their team next season.

Despite the small amount of space, it seems there is a way for the Rangers to stay under the league maximum cap hit and still make the team better. The answer comes internally and it all depends on how well the Rangers' young players perform, including Filip Chytil, Lafrenière, Kakko, and Vitali Kravtsov. While not ideal, it may be better for Chytil to slot in at the second line center position for next season, and sign a depth center for the third line that is cost effective, rather than commit to someone like Copp or Strome for long term. This was the indication I got when speaking to Vince Mercogliano on my podcast this week.

For Rangers fans, this would be very exciting because it would mean that the team's young players are finally going to get consistent top six playing time, which is something that has been begged for by much of the fanbase since Kakko was drafted and David Quinn was still coach. At the same time, however, it would mean the Rangers would not be making a move for a marquee name such as Dylan Larkin or Mark Scheifele. This isn't necessarily a bad thing since the Rangers would be able to hold onto some of their valuable trade pieces like Nils Lundkvist for a little longer. They could then wait until another opportunity arises where a player becomes available and then cash in when the cap space works more in their favor.

Improvements for next year's team might solely be dependent on whatever is on the team already rather than what is available via trade or free agency. Even after making a trip to the Conference Finals this year, the fact that the team still hasn't reached their full potential speaks volumes about the success of the rebuild. Expectations will be higher for this young group of Rangers next season, however.

Chytil picture: NHLI via Getty Images

Kakko picture: Corey Sipkin