New York Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck knows his time with the team is coming to an end.
The Rangers are one of the main sellers ahead of the March 6 NHL trade deadline, and Trocheck is one of the top players available. Although Trocheck knows he likely will be dealt, it has still been a stressful time for him.
“I’ve been doing this my whole life, right?” Trocheck said, via The Athletic. “If I get traded, I’m fine. I’m not worried about myself. I’m more worried about my family. That’s the only thing I have to worry about.”
Several teams have shown interest in Trocheck, but the star forward confirms he wants to stay out East. He also confirmed Western teams are on his 12-team no-trade clause.
“It’s not a secret: (Western teams) are on my no-trade clause,” Trocheck said. “Family’s important to me, and my family’s on the East Coast.”
Trocheck said if he is going to be traded, the goal is to stay in the East and go to a contending team to compete for a Stanley Cup.
“If I’m gonna get traded to a team that’s in the same situation as us, then I don’t want to move,” Trocheck said. “That sounds miserable in a new city. I am 32 years old. I would like to win a Stanley Cup. So if I am going to get traded, I would like to go to a team that’s winning, or has a chance to win.”
Trocheck is in the fourth year of his seven-year, $39.375 million deal with the Rangers.
Trocheck Credits Rangers GM Amid Rumors
Although Trocheck wants to remain out East, he knows he only has a 12-team no-trade clause, so he doesn’t have full say.
Yet, Trocheck credited Rangers general manager Chris Drury for understanding his request and working to try to move him to an Eastern Conference team.
“I feel like I’m as involved as I can be,” Trocheck said. “I only have a 12-team no-trade clause. It’s not like I have full protection and I need to be in with them on every single phone call. But I mean, me and (Drury) have a great relationship. He’s been very open and honest with me and transparent, so I feel like I get as many calls as a player could get.”
The Detroit Red Wings and Carolina Hurricanes are two teams in the East that have shown interest, as has the Minnesota Wild, who aren’t too far West for Trocheck.
New York Likely to Trade Trocheck
Although Trocheck has years left on his deal, his time with the Rangers does appear to be over.
Ahead of the deadline, Rangers insider Vincent Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic said he expects Trocheck to be dealt.
“While Schneider being traded feels like a 50-50 proposition, the perception around the league is that Vincent Trocheck is the likeliest Ranger to be dealt in the next week,” Mercogliano wrote. “The Minnesota Wild are considered the favorite by just about everyone I’ve talked to. A rumor Trocheck himself acknowledged during a lighthearted scene at the Olympics. But with the moment of truth approaching, I’m sensing a hint of skepticism.”
Trocheck has 12 goals and 26 assists for 38 points in 45 games this season.
Rangers’ Vincent Trocheck Breaks Silence on Trade Rumors, No-Trade Clause