Reports of a major development with Vladimir Tarasenko, from Rangers insider Larry Brooks

We're nearly a week into the opening of the NHL's free agent period and there's still several quality players out there on the open market. 

There are bargain options like Jesse Puljujarvi, Tomas Tatar and Josh Bailey out there, there are 'are they going to retire?' options like Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Patrice Bergeron, and then there are some truly puzzling names out there. How has Matt Dumba not signed a deal yet? Ditto for Paul Stastny. And what's the deal with Vladimir Tarasenko?

According to a report from New York Rangers insider Larry Brooks of The New York Post, Tarasenko turned down multiple offers in the $5.5 million to $6 million annual range before firing his agent.

We know that the Carolina Hurricanes were closing in on Tarasenko before things went silent and there were reports that the Philadelphia Flyers were also in pursuit, as well. I'm willing to bet however that Tarasenko was hoping to re-sign with the Rangers and his agent simply couldn't make it work. Now, he's having to consider other options and he's not happy about it.

The Rangers meanwhile do have $6.1 million in cap space right now but they need to re-sign RFA's Alexis Lafreniere and K'Andre Miller. The Rangers would be wise to lock up Miller long-term, but it sounds like a 'bridge' deal is coming for both Lafreniere and Miller. If that's the case, the Rangers could then turn their focus to Tarasenko if he's still on the open market but they'd likely have to free up some salary by trading someone like Barclay Goodrow or Vincent Trocheck.

Frankly, I don't think there's a spot left for Tarasenko on this Rangers squad. GM Chris Drury already went out and signed free agent forward Blake Wheeler at a discount rate to replace Tarasenko in the team's top six forward group. Unfortunately for Tarasenko, he simply priced himself out of the Rangers' plans. If I'm him, I'm calling up the Hurricanes again to see what they can offer up. They're probably his best chance at getting a quick pay day and having another chance to compete for the Stanley Cup.