Insider reveals shocking details on how the New York Rangers will approach the trade deadline
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The New York Rangers are now three points out of a wild card spot after winning their final game before the Four Nations Face-Off kicked off. They now have several games to decide their game plan before the March 7 trade deadline rolls around.
How could the team approach the trade deadline? There are three paths that every team could take.
Of course, the variables involved include their standings in their division and the playoff situation. For the Rangers, there's still hope they can win a playoff spot, and they could end up being buyers, sellers, or holding their hand.
Path 1: Sellers
If the team does fail to secure a playoff spot in 2025, they do have some assets which could fetch a decent return.
The UFAs currently rostered by the team are: Reilly Smith, Ryan Lindgren, and Jimmy Vesey. Lindgren has generated interest by contending teams, and as someone who adds size and muscle to a blue line, he could be a valuable trade asset.
While Reilly Smith is an attractive option as a former Stanley Cup winner, Vesey could be a good depth option for another team's bottom-six.
If they go full-blown sellers, they could explore what they could get in return for Chris Kreider. Kreider's a known playoff performer and could find new life in the postseason with a different team.
Both Buy and Sell
If they go this route, they could move all the players they anticipate won't be coming back next season like Lindgren, Smith, and Vesey. While doing so, the Rangers would have to focus on win-now pieces instead of accumulating assets for the future.
Considering they're only a few points out of a playoff spot, they need players who can help beyond this season, and keep them around longer than you would for a rental who could cost major assets moving forward.
Buyers
If the Rangers somehow manage to win all seven games and find themselves in a playoff spot they should find pieces who could fit into the top six and push them into the Stanley Cup contention conversation, like Mikko Rantanen who hasn't yet signed an extension in Carolina.
Another play the team could focus on is the Vancouver Canucks Brock Boeser who is a pending UFA and isn't expected to re-sign with the team.
He could be a big help on the team's top six on the wing, which lacks the punch that Boeser could give.
Considering they have a history together in Vancouver, he could be a great addition to JT Miller's right flank.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 16 | 917 ANSWERS Insider reveals shocking details on how the New York Rangers will approach the trade deadline If you were GM Chris Drury of the New York Rangers who would you target? | ||
| Mikko Rantanen | 540 | 58.9 % |
| Brock Boeser | 236 | 25.7 % |
| Another UFA comment below | 141 | 15.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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