2007–08 New York Rangers season

Within a 30-minute span on that Sunday evening, the Rangers announced the signings of the two most coveted centers available: Scott Gomez from the rival New Jersey Devils and Chris Drury from the Buffalo Sabres.

[6] In addition, the Rangers also lost Jed Ortmeyer,[7] Brad Isbister,[8] Karel Rachunek[9] and Kevin Weekes[10] to the free agency market, the latter two signing with the rival New Jersey Devils.

The Rangers re-signed a number of their own free agents, including Jason Strudwick,[11] Petr Prucha[12] and Brendan Shanahan.

[13] Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist and forward Marcel Hossa had been designated for salary arbitration, but both signed contracts before reaching their respective hearings.

[16] The multitude of high-profile free agent signings in July left the Rangers dangerously close to the league's $50.3 million salary cap.

This effectively forced the Rangers to deal Matt Cullen and his $2.875 million per year cap number back to the Carolina Hurricanes.

[18] On April 3, 2008, the New York Rangers clinched a playoff berth for the third consecutive season in a 3–0 win against their crosstown rival Islanders.

Portland eliminated Hartford from the playoffs in 5 games, marking two consecutive season's that the Wolf Pack failed to advance past the 1st round.