NHL Rumors: Rangers Having Extension Talks With Center

According to Larry Brooks, the New York Rangers are currently having extension talks with Ryan Strome.

Strome has become a mainstay on Artemi Panarin's line, and the two have developed excellent chemistry in the process. As a result of this, it is entirely understandable why the Rangers would like to keep the 28-year-old center around. He's having another very solid season, too, as he has nine goals and 32 points in 39 games. That is the kind of production teams love to have from their second-line center, so it's fair to say he's reaching expectations rather well.

When it comes to negotiations, Brooks noted that the Rangers aren't going to trade Strome if they do not reach an extension by the deadline. This is entirely understandable, as the Rangers sport a 28-11-4 roster and should look to improve on their roster - rather than trade away top players. However, the Rangers will have to find a way to fit Strome's next contract until the salary cap. That may be hard, as they signed both Adam Fox and Mika Zibanejad to very expensive extensions already this season.

Alas, we will have to wait and see if the Rangers can sign Strome to an extension before the season's end. If he does hit the open market next summer, he would have an abundance of takers.