The New York Rangers are undoubtedly a team to watch during trade deadline day. With the Rangers being in a retool, they are expected to be one of the NHL’s top sellers from here.
The Rangers already made a move last night, as they traded forward Sam Carrick to the Buffalo Sabres. This was after they traded Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings and Carson Soucy to the New York Islanders earlier this season. Yet, the Rangers should not be done yet, as they have several trade candidates on deadline day.
A few Rangers players who have come up as trade candidates over the last few weeks include Alexis Lafreniere, Braden Schneider, and former first-round pick Brennan Othmann. However, their biggest trade candidate is star center Vincent Trocheck, as he has the potential to get the Rangers a massive return in a move.
Trocheck has been the subject of trade rumors since Rangers general manager Chris Drury confirmed through a letter that the team is retooling. However, a new report indicates that a trade centering around the veteran forward may not necessarily be a slam dunk.
Rangers Open to Keeping Vincent Trocheck Past Trade Deadline
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Rangers have let teams around the NHL know that they will hold on to Trocheck if they do not match their asking price for the star center.
“NYR have indicated they are prepared to keep Vincent Trocheck if they don’t get what they feel they need. Told teams, they are not trading him just for the sake of making a trade. Deadlines spur action…we will see what the day brings,” Friedman posted on X.
This is certainly an interesting development from Friedman, as it shows that the Rangers are willing to be patient when it comes to trading Trocheck. This is notable, but especially when noting that the Rangers recently scratched him for roster-related reasons.
While there is undoubtedly still a good chance that Trocheck will get traded by the deadline, it is clear that the Rangers will not be moving him unless they get a big offer for the star forward. It is understandable that they want a lot for him, as he is one of the best centers on the trade market and has multiple years left on his seven-year, $39.375 million deal. Thus, the Rangers could wait until the summer to move him if they wish to.
Rangers Should Get A Lot of Interest in Trocheck
With Trocheck being one of the best players on the trade market, he is going to have a ton of suitors from here. The Minnesota Wild is one team that has been heavily linked to the Rangers star forward. In addition, teams like the Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Boston Bruins all could make sense as landing spots for him.
It will be interesting to see what happens between the Rangers and Trocheck, but it is clear that the Blueshirts are willing to be patient as they look for the best possible trade offer.
Rangers Get Surprise Update on $39.375M Star Trade Candidate