Report: Rangers haven't offered Stepan a long-term deal
The negotiation process between the New York Rangers and Derek Stepan is becoming a little more clear.
The 25-year-old filed for salary arbitration against the team last week and, according to Larry Brooks of the New York Post, the Rangers have yet to offer Stepan a long-term contract.
Stepan is a restricted free agent coming off a two-year, $3.075-million deal. He's been one of the team's more consistent scoring threats, tallying 16 goals and 55 points in 68 games last season, and is in line for a raise.
Meanwhile, to complicate matters for the Rangers, the team has just over $10 million in salary left to lock up Stepan as well as RFAs J.T. Miller, Emerson Etem, and Jesper Fast.
It will be tight for the Rangers and general manager Jeff Gorton, but Brooks insists fans need not worry, as there's no evidence the team is willing to deal Stepan.
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