Rangers Martin St. Louis 5-29-2015.JPG

Martin St. Louis has had some incredible yet some awful lows over his two year career with New York. Is it time for both parties to move on?

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Another season cut short too soon, another offseason of deliberation. The New York Rangers have come so close, but after falling to the Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games the team must now look forward.

The Blueshirts go into the offseason with seven free agents -- four of which are restricted free agents (RFA) giving Rangers General Manager, Glenn Sather the upperhand in negotiations.

RFA

The four restricted free agents are J.T. Miller, Carl Hagelin, Jesper Fast, and the top center for the team, Derek Stepan.

It's very reasonable to expect all of these players to stay. Sather will have $11.5 million in cap space to deal with and J.T. Miller and Jesper Fast should both stay under a $1 million per year salary while Hagelin will likely hover around his current $2.25 million per year mark.

Stepan may require a bit more cash to keep around with the potential of offersheets from other teams enticing him to go elsewhere. At least a $5.5 million contract will be needed to keep the 24-year-old with the club.

UFA

The three unrestricted free agents with the team are Martin St. Louis, James Sheppard, and Matt Hunwick.

With the RFAs taken care of that'll leaves a little less than $4 million to round out two forward spots and a depth defenseman spot.

The current seventh d-man, Matt Hunwick could potentially re-sign with his current $600k salary, but even if he doesn't another player with a similar cap hit will likely fill his place.

This leaves two spots available -- both of which are crucial roles -- with $3 million left to spend. A second/third line winger role that was previously filled by Martin St. Louis, and a fourth line grinder role that was previously filled by the Rangers' deadline acquisition, James Sheppard.

A fourth line player could be found in the minors with a variety of young players looking to crack the roster at a minimal salary.

Should Marty St. Louis stay?

After the last deadline deal for the great offensive, puck-moving defenseman, Keith Yandle the Rangers have little need for the less great offensive, puck-moving Dan Boyle. Boyle's $4.5 million contract could be dealt to save the team some cap space and potentially bring in a new offensive gun.But for all the fans that want nothing more to do with the reeling 40 year old, there are a few moves that could be made to bring in some fresh blood to the team.One spot left and after a dismal playoffs fans have been at the throat of Marty St. Louis, but with his current contract expiring the former two-time Art Ross Trophy winner could re-sign with the team for a heavily discounted price. With how tight the team is up to the cap this looks to be the best option especially given how scarce forwards are in the free agent market.

Potential Marty St. Louis replacements

Michael Frolik

Last playing for the Winnipeg Jets, this 27 year-old right winger has had a lot of experience in the league playing for the Stanley Cup winning Chicago Blackhawks team in 2013. He demonstrates a great combination of offensive prowess and defensive responsibility. The combination seems to be perfect for the type of style that the Rangers' current head coach, Alain Vigneault loves. Coming off a $3.3 million contract Frolik will likely be looking for money around $4.5-5 million.

Erik Cole

At 36 years old Cole has proven he's still able to put up points with 21 goals in 68 games. The native New Yorker has enough experience to be very reliable in all facets of the game. His last contract warranted him $4 million, and his next will probably be about the same depending on where he elects to go.

Pavel Buchnevich

Currently within the Rangers organization is this 20 year old Russian playmaker who's logged a string of successful seasons in the KHL. His most recent accomplishment in his career is his Silver Medal finish with the Russian World Juniors team. Buchnevich is still a rookie when it comes to the NHL though, and his ability to jump to this level of play immediately is unlikely, but his skill can't be understated. He currently is signed for next season in the KHL and has expressed interest in staying in Russia for one more season. Unless he has a sudden change of heart Rangers fans may need to wait until 2017 for Buchnevich to come to New York.