The New York Rangers face the Blue Jackets at MSG tonight, but most of the focus won’t be on the ice. With the trade deadline on Friday, nearly everyone is concentrating on who might be dealt before that date. While trades have been quiet, work is happening behind the scenes.
Much of the focus has been on Vincent Trocheck. Signed for the next three seasons at a $5.625 AAV cap hit, Trocheck is likely the hottest name available on the market. Since the “Letter 2.0” was issued, Trocheck has been rumored to be the major trade piece for GM Chris Drury, especially since he only has a modified, no-trade clause to 12 teams.
Elliotte Friedman spoke about Trocheck and others on TNT yesterday. As I tweeted yesterday, Friedman said the Rangers likely already have an offer or know what Minnesota’s offer for Trocheck would be. It’s up to New York to decide if he’s good enough or if they want to try and move him elsewhere. Trocheck partially controls his destiny and does not want to go to the West Coast, which he confirmed today, as seen in the tweet below by Mollie Walker. This makes the Wild, Red Wings, and Hurricanes possible destinations, with the Bruins possibly in the mix as well.
Trocheck wants to go somewhere he can win the Cup. From the above list, Minnesota and Carolina, his former club, check that box. The Wild are likely offering Charlie Stramel, their #2 prospect, and possibly a first round pick. New York should want Danila Yurov, whom the Wild are reluctant to move. With several possible suitors on the East Coast, unlike in the Artemi Panarin deal, the Rangers do have leverage in this case.
If Detroit becomes a viable option, the Red Wings have several prospects of interest. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, Carter Bear, Nate Danielson, Max Plante etc. Boston has James Hagens as their primary prospect, he would top New York’s prospect list if acquired, though the Bruins are unlikely to trade him. Dean Letorneau fits the bill as a tall forward, which the Rangers seem to love recently. Bradly Nadeau has been the ‘Canes prospect mentioned in almost every deal. Semyon Frolov is a longer-term asset that could be a possibility. Drury must maximize the return for Trocheck to restock the prospect pool and provide the team with young assets that might be part of the future.
Coach Mike Sullivan said that the team is not at the point where they are considering scratching Trocheck. That means no deal is imminent, though you could argue scratching him today still makes sense. If Trocheck plays today and is not traded by Thursday, he must sit out against the Leafs to avoid a possible injury.
All eyes are on Drury as this week could help make or further break his tenure as Rangers’ GM.
