Rangers Rumors: Blackhawks Forward On Team's Radar

The New York Rangers are going to look to improve down the middle. It is understandable, as Filip Chytil has been ruled out for the rest of the season, while Nick Bonino was recently sent down to the AHL. As a result, they are a team to watch extremely closely in the center trade market as we get closer to the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline.

One center who has been starting to be connected to the Rangers as of late is Chicago Blackhawks forward Tyler Johnson.

The expectation is that Johnson will be moved before the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline. This is because he is on an expiring contract, and the Blackhawks are rebuilding and among the worst teams in the NHL. Due to this, the Blackhawks are likely to move him for either a prospect and/or a draft pick.

Johnson, 33, has appeared in 35 games this season with the Blackhawks, where he has nine goals to go along with 13 points. Overall, it has been a bit of a down year for him offensively, but he also does not have the strongest offensive weapons to work with on the Blackhawks. Perhaps a move to the Rangers could be what he needs to get his scoring back up. Just last season, he had 12 goals and 32 points.

We will now need to wait and see if the Rangers and Blackhawks end up striking a deal centering around Johnson before the trade deadline passes from here.