NEW YORK — NHL trade deadline week is right here, however the market has been slow-moving thus far. That’s not preferrred for the New York Rangers, who’re presumably receiving curiosity in a number of gamers after president and common supervisor Chris Drury’s “retool” letter in January.
Yet when a giant trade occurs, it might spark motion across the league, and contending groups can get determined, nonetheless having holes because the deadline approaches. The Rangers have to hope one thing like that occurs this week.
Rangers middle Vincent Trocheck stays on the high of Chris Johnston’s trade board, and Minnesota-based colleagues Michael Russo and Joe Smith reported that Wild common supervisor Bill Guerin has made his “one and final” offer for Trocheck. That clearly hasn’t but led to a deal, as Drury presumably outlets round for a greater package deal. In the interim, Trocheck stays within the Rangers lineup. He had an help Monday in a 5-4 extra time loss to Columbus after discussing the possibility of a move earlier within the day.
The Rangers could maintain onto Trocheck, who’s beneath contract till after the 2028-29 season, and reassess in the summertime, however that comes with danger. Though groups get determined on the trade deadline, they is likely to be extra cautious over the summer time when it’s not their final probability to bolster a playoff roster.
Trocheck is the largest identify the Rangers have obtainable. Braden Schneider and Alexis Lafrenière stay trade potentialities, too, however Drury ought to really feel no stress to transfer them until he will get a compelling supply. The pair is barely 24 years outdated and has staff management. Schneider is a restricted free agent after this season, and Lafrenière is within the first 12 months of a seven-year cope with a $7.45 million common annual worth.
The bottom-six ahead group could get shaken up within the coming days, particularly after the Rangers claimed former Seattle Kraken winger Tye Kartye off waivers. New York has a little bit of a logjam on its third and fourth strains, particularly after including Kartye and activating Conor Sheary off long-term injured reserve. Brennan Othmann and Brett Berard have gotten sporadic NHL seems to be this season however are actually down in AHL Hartford, and Jonny Brodzinski has been a wholesome scratch in three video games because the Olympic break. Adam Edström has been out since November, however he seems to be shut to returning. He’s been finishing full practices whereas nonetheless on injured reserve.
Othmann’s identify has been in trade talks all through the season, and the Rangers could finally make a move this deadline. He is in his last 12 months of waiver exemption.
The 32-year-old Brodzinski is one other trade risk within the coming days. Coach Mike Sullivan hasn’t performed him constantly, and he’s within the last 12 months of his deal. A contender could add him as a thirteenth or 14th ahead. He’s appeared in playoff video games earlier than (one in 2022 and three in 2024) and has some offensive capability, having scored 12 objectives in 51 video games in 2024-25. He has solely 4 objectives in 39 video games this season.
Whether the Rangers trade Brodzinski will probably rely available on the market, as loads of non-playoff groups have depth forwards on expiring contracts. If New York needs to transfer him, Drury could throw him into an even bigger deal and check out to snag an additional decide. That’s what he did with Jimmy Vesey final deadline, sending him to Colorado within the Ryan Lindgren trade.
Sam Carrick could even have worth for a staff depth facilities. The 34-year-old is a fourth-line middle who has 10 factors in 60 video games this season and is unafraid to play bodily and combat. He was on the Oilers staff that reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2024, then signed a three-year cope with the Rangers value a $1 million AAV.
That contract goes by way of 2026-27, so a possible buying staff would have him for an additional season after this one.
“I signed here hoping to finish my contract here,” Carrick instructed The Athletic in January. “Having a family and stuff makes things a little bit more difficult if change is coming. But if it does, you deal with it.”
None of the Rangers’ bottom-six gamers would convey a lot in return — Carrick could maybe fetch a mid-round decide — however would open alternatives for different forwards. Sullivan could get a deeper have a look at among the group’s youthful gamers and see who suits.
J.T. Miller to injured reserve
The Rangers positioned ahead J.T. Miller on injured reserve with an upper-body damage. The captain, who gained gold with Team USA on the Olympics, performed 19:23 towards Columbus on Monday and had an help.
The Rangers didn’t say what led to Miller’s damage, however he was hit within the head with a puck within the third interval after falling to the ice throughout a netfront battle. He completed the sport and spoke to reporters after it ended.
Miller has handled accidents all through the season, beginning with a lower-body damage throughout coaching camp. He didn’t miss any time to begin the season, however suffered an upper-body damage that stored him out two video games in November after which seven in December and January. The 32-year-old has 38 factors in 51 video games this season for his worst scoring price since 2018-19. He’s had a tough first full season as a Rangers captain due to accidents, lack of particular person manufacturing and staff struggles.
