The NHL trade deadline is fast approaching, and the New York Rangers are one of the teams that many around the league are keeping a close eye on. With just over 24 hours left before the 3 p.m. ET deadline on Friday, the Rangers are expected to be one of the main sellers, with several key players on the move. Here's a breakdown of the latest rumors and speculation surrounding the Rangers and their trade deadline moves.
Vincent Trocheck: Fading Hopes for a Trade?
One of the most talked-about players on the trade block is center Vincent Trocheck. The Rangers held an optional morning skate on Thursday, with many veterans staying off the ice, including Trocheck. While the team continues to weigh offers, there are mixed signals about his availability for the upcoming game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
According to Michael Russo, the Minnesota Wild's hopes of acquiring Trocheck are fading. The Wild have had an offer on the table, but Rangers team president Chris Drury has signaled that it's not enough to get the deal done. With roughly 27 hours left before the deadline, the Rangers have the power to hold out for a better offer or reduce their asking price. In my opinion, the price for Trocheck is too rich, and the Rangers may need to reconsider their strategy to make a trade happen.
Alexis Lafrenière: Staying Put?
Another player who hasn't received much attention lately is winger Alexis Lafrenière. The Rangers have been gauging the market on all their players, but the consensus is that a trade is more likely this summer, if it happens at all. Lafrenière himself has said that he hasn't had many conversations with management about his future, and the belief is that he'll stay in New York for now.
Adam Fox: Uncertain Future
Defenseman Adam Fox is not among the players expected to be traded this week, but he made waves after his first game back from injury. Fox has expressed that he wants to stay with the Rangers through a retool, but those conversations are for the summer. In an interview with The Athletic, Fox discussed the uncertainty around the roster and how he finds it hard to think too much about his situation during the season.
Rumblings as of Wednesday Evening
As of Wednesday evening, the trade deadline has been a slow-moving process. Some have classified it as a buyer's market, but opinions are mixed. Sellers like the Rangers have been underwhelmed by initial offers and are holding out for more, while buyers are perceiving asking prices as unreasonably high. The new playoff salary cap and the elimination of third-party brokers for salary retention are also contributing to the gridlock.
The High-Stakes Game of Chicken
The pressure is on for the Rangers to make a move after team president Chris Drury published a letter declaring a retool in January. Drury has already moved two pending free agents, but the recent trade returns have been lackluster. The belief is that Trocheck will be moved, with the Minnesota Wild as the team to watch. The Wild have made an offer, and the package is likely built around Michigan State center Charlie Stramel.
The Next-Most Likely Trade Candidates
After Trocheck, the next-most likely trade candidates are mainly bottom-six forwards and fringe prospects. The Rangers have a lot of holes to fill, but there's a bit of a logjam in that area. Veteran center Sam Carrick probably has the most appeal from that group, while Brett Berard, Jonny Brodzinski, Brennan Othmann, Taylor Raddysh, Conor Sheary, and Adam Sýkora are among the others who could factor in for mid-to-late-round draft value or as sweeteners in larger deals.
Absorbing Unwanted Salaries
The final thing to watch for is a trade that absorbs another team's unwanted salary in exchange for draft picks or other assets. The Rangers have $8.685 million in cap space on deadline day, which could balloon to over $30 million this summer if Trocheck is traded. Drury will be looking to weaponize that flexibility, and while it's usually more of an offseason maneuver, it shouldn't be ruled out if the right opportunity presents itself this week.
In conclusion, the NHL trade deadline is a high-stakes game of chicken, with the Rangers in a position to hold out for the best offers or reduce their asking prices. The future of key players like Trocheck and Lafrenière remains uncertain, and the team will need to make some tough decisions in the coming hours to shape their roster for the upcoming season.
