The New York Rangers used a strong third period to notch a 6-2 win over the Maple Leafs. For the second straight contest, New York tallied four times in the final stanza; this time though, the end result was a win. Will Cuylle scored twice, Mika Zibanejad and Alexis Lafreniere added a goal and two assists, while Jaroslav Chmelař lit the lamp for the first time in his career. Vincent Trocheck and Sam Carrick were scratched for roster management reasons, with Carrick dealt to Buffalo for a pair of picks.
Game recap:
Rangers lineup vs. Toronto:
Perreault-Zibanejad-Lafrenière
Cuylle-Brodzinski-Raddysh
Kartye-Laba-Sheary
Edström-Pärssinen-Chmelař
Gavrikov-Fox
Schneider-Borgen
Robertson-Iorio
Shesterkin
Quick
Scratches: Vaakanainen, Trocheck (roster management), Carrick (roster management)
IR: Rempe (thumb injury)
A few thoughts:
1) Rangers pregame ceremony: In the final installment of the centennial celebration, New York celebrated the modern era. I understand that the videos mirror those actually in attendance, but how do you not recognize Dan Girardi, Ryan Callahan, Martin St. Louis, and others? The ceremony was nice but lacking.
2) Carrick and Trocheck: Elliotte Friedman discussed those teams possibly being in the Trocheck mix in his column below. Detroit and Carolina were previously rumored, even as Minnesota drew all the attention. Per pierre LeBrun, Boston might be a viable landing spot for Trocheck. Friedman’s tweet this am was GM Chris Drury’s way to try and raise the price point for Trocheck. One argument against this is: if Trocheck is not dealt, is he really a more viable candidate after the season when additional players become available?
Carrick was traded for Buffalo’s third round pick this season and Chicago’s sixth. Does that really move the needle? As i said repeatedly, retaining Carrick has value. A third-rounder, especially one that now looks like it will come towards the end of the round, is still a flier with no guarantee. The likelihood of success diminishes as the pick number rises.
Drury likely valued a pick this year more than one next year or the year after that. The marketplace has been littered with deals for 2027 and 2028 picks. Michael McCarron went for a second round pick in 2028, and Cole Smith for a third-rounder that same year. But Nic Dowd, also signed for one more season, netted a conditional first-round pick in 2027. in addition, Scott Laughton, traded last season, also brought back a first round pick. So please tell me how well Drury really did by getting third and sixth round picks for a player who is signed for one more season at just $1 million?
Following the Carrick deal, here are the Rangers’ picks in the first 100 selections this year. How bad does that Patrick Nemeth deal look now? New York dealt second round picks in 2025 and 2026 to dump the rest of Nemeth’s contract. That pick, which went to Arizona and then to Calgary for MacKenzie Weegar, projects to be in the top portion of that round this year.
#4 – Rangers own selection (pending lottery)
#28 – Stars pick (K’Andre Miller trade)
#63 – Hurricanes pick (K’Andre trade)
#68 – Rangers own selection
#75 – Kings pick (Artemi Panarin trade)
#85 – Islanders pick (Carson Soucy trade)
#90 – Sabres pick (Sam Carrick trade)
Drury better cook in the draft this season…
I cannot express enough my hatred for Drury. He has depleted our draft capital, made atrocious trades and has destroyed the moral on this team/fan base. I don’t think I’ve ever hated a rangers player/coach etc more than I hate this guy.