NHL Trade Rumors: Derek Stepan for Alex Galchenyuk

The New York Rangers are shopping Derek Stepan according to NHL insider Bob McKenzie. With the emergence of Kevin Hayes and Mika Zibanejad as centers, Stepan is expendable.

McKenzie's initial tweet was incorrect; Stepan's contract has four more years with a cap hit of $6.5M. Stepan scored 17 goals and 55 points during last regular season, which was not a bad performance. In the playoffs he struggled though, especially against the Ottawa Senators.

After July 1, Stepan's no-trade clause comes into effect and he has to approve any trade, which is why the Rangers are shopping him now. The Montreal Canadiens are in need of a top-six center. The Canadiens are offering Alex Galchenyuk for Derek Stepan.