About $1 million reportedly separates the New York Rangers and Derek Stepan in their ongoing contract negotiations. Stepan is a restricted free agent and is consequently going to start missing preseason games. He is believed to be seeking a two-year/$7 million contract while the Rangers want him to sign for a little under $6 million over two seasons. The Rangers have very little cap room, so that might be part of the problem. Stepan led the 2013 Rangers with 44 points in 48 games.