New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury is expected to be busy in the coming days. The exec previously made it clear that the club is open for business as they head towards a retool. Drury has already started offloading players, particularly New York’s former best player in Artemi Panarin, and is expected to keep making moves ahead of the March 6 deadline.
It was recently revealed that the Rangers would listen to offers for virtually any player on the roster. Nevertheless, star goalie Igor Shesterkin and defenseman Adam Fox are likely seen as the two untouchables. This would, however, potentially open the door for Mika Zibanejad to be dealt in the coming days.
While this particular move seems unlikely, Vincent Trocheck and Braden Schneider are widely viewed as the team’s top trade candidates. Both players were recently featured in The Athletic’s updated trade board. The outlet’s Vince Mercogliano has since provided updates on the duo’s chances of being traded before the deadline.
Speaking on his latest The Flying V podcast, Mercogliano claimed that Trocheck is very likely to be dealt soon. The situation regarding Schneider, however, is perhaps more complicated. “What I’ve heard, in terms of Schneider up to this point, is that the Rangers have set a really high asking price for him, and they’re telling teams basically, ‘meet our price, and if you don’t, we have no problem holding the player,'” stated the reporter.
New York Rangers Have Some Flexibility with Braden Schneider
GettyBraden Schneider is still rated highly despite the relatively disappointing season.
As Mercogliano points out, Schneider is a restricted free agent this summer. Because of this, the Rangers do have some team control, even after the trade deadline. New York previously experienced a similar situation with K’Andre Miller. The star blueliner was a restricted free agent last summer when they traded him to the Carolina Hurricanes for two draft picks and prospect Scott Morrow.
If the Rangers do not receive a suitable offer for Schneider in the coming days, they will delay the process until the summer. New York could then hope to get a better offer in the offseason, or even get the defenseman to sign a long-term extension with the club. As of now, Mercogliano rates a move ahead of the deadline as 51-49 in favor of the star leaving town.
Schneider has somewhat struggled throughout the 2025-26 campaign with an increase in minutes. Few Rangers players have excelled this season, though. Despite this, several NHL teams are undoubtedly eyeing him at the moment. At just 24, the 6’3″ blueliner has the tools to eventually become a quality top-four defenseman.
Trocheck More Likely to be Traded by New York
While Schneider’s future is far from certain, Mercogliano fully believes that Trocheck will be traded soon. The Minnesota Wild are widely viewed as frontrunners in the chase, but several other teams are certainly lurking. It was previously reported that New York wants a first-round draft pick and prospects/young NHL-ready players for the star center.
The next week will be a crucial timeframe for the Rangers. Drury’s ability to get what he wants for his players is imperative to the club’s future. Subpar returns for Trocheck and Schneider could very well set New York back quite a while.
Rangers’ High Asking Price for Star May Hinder Trade