The 2026 NHL trade deadline was a bit quieter compared to recent years, but there were still some notable moves made. Among the top players who were moved on deadline day include Nazem Kadri (Colorado Avalanche), Brayden Schenn (New York Islanders), Justin Faulk (Detroit Red Wings), Corey Perry (Tampa Bay Lightning), and Bobby McMann (Seattle Kraken).
With the New York Rangers starting a retool, they were one of the NHL’s top sellers to watch leading up to trade deadline day. This is especially so when noting that they already had traded Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings and Carson Soucy to the New York Islanders earlier in the season.
In the end, the Rangers did do some selling leading up to the deadline. They traded gritty center Sam Carrick to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick. They also moved on from former first-round pick Brennan Othman, as they traded him to the rebuilding Calgary Flames.
While the Rangers made some moves leading up to the deadline, it is fair to say that they underwhelmed a bit. As a result of this, they have now been called out for making a mistake on trade deadline day.
Rangers’ Decision Not to Trade Vincent Trocheck Called a Mistake
In a recent article for The Athletic, NHL insider Pierre LeBrun discussed a few players who could be trade candidates to watch during the 2026 NHL offseason. Among the players mentioned was Rangers center Vincent Trocheck, and it is understandable when noting that he was one of the NHL’s biggest trade candidates leading up to the deadline.
In his piece, LeBrun argued that the Rangers’ decision to hold on to Trocheck past the trade deadline could be a mistake, as his trade value may have been at its highest.
“I think the New York Rangers made a mistake not taking their best offer for Trocheck before the deadline. I get it; they had a certain asking price, and it wasn’t met. But Trocheck’s value was probably the highest it’s going to be, fresh off an Olympic gold-medal performance where he was a key member of a perfect penalty-killing unit for Team USA. His brand had been polished with perfect timing ahead of the trade deadline,” LeBrun wrote.
It was certainly surprising to see Trocheck stay on the Rangers past the deadline. The veteran center was linked to several teams leading up to the deadline and was even scratched for roster-related reasons before it. However, instead of getting dealt, the star forward will finish the year in New York.
If Trocheck’s trade value drops during the summer, the Rangers’ decision not to trade him ahead of the deadline would certainly be a mistake. Time will tell what happens on that front, but it would sting when noting that he was their best trade chip ahead of the deadline.
Rangers’ Trocheck Should Generate Trade Interest During Summer
With the Rangers holding on to Trocheck, it is likely that multiple teams will still try to acquire him during the summer. A few teams that were linked to him leading up to the deadline include the Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota Wild, Carolina Hurricanes, and Boston Bruins.
Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if the Rangers end up moving Trocheck for a good return this summer.
Rangers Called Out for Big Trade Deadline Mistake