Insider officially links the New York Rangers to a 6'4" gritty forward from Western Conference team

Crouse has been mentioned in trade rumors for several weeks as it appears the Utah hockey club will not make the playoffs and likely sell off some of their assets including Crouse as they attempt to settle their feet into their new operation.

The 27-year-old power forward who was selected by the Florida Panthers back in 2015, first round, 11th overall has had a down year when it comes to production.

Through the last five games in February, he is only registered one goal it has seen his ice time dropped considering he is usually averaging between 17 and 18 minutes a game.

His style of game would be exactly what the Rangers need especially when it comes to playoffs as he is a hard-nosed customer and plays an aggressive style especially physical which is all the ingredients you need to help the team had a long and successful playoff run.

Rangers general manager Chris Drury has believed that his team needs a makeover as it was pushed around especially against the Florida Panthers last year in the Eastern Conference Final.

Rangers management has a difficult decision ahead as the team has reached a crossroads despite being still out of a playoff spot but with only a few points behind for the second wild card.

Some teams like the Ottawa Senators have been fading recently and if the Rangers can find their winning ways again, they could leapfrog back into the playoffs quickly and challenge to keep a wild card spot till the remainder of the season.

This will mean that they will either have to become sellers if they do not get close enough or become buyers and try to make the push.

If the Rangers choose to trade for Crouse that will be a signal across the NHL that the blue shirts will be buyers and will attempt to push themselves into a playoff spot as they are still recovering from their disasters November and December games.

Source: NHL Trade Rumors
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