NHL Rumors: Update On Trade Rumors Surrounding The Rangers

The New York Rangers are reportedly ramping up efforts to explore big roster changes, with trade rumors centering on captain Jacob Trouba and veteran winger Chris Kreider, as reported recently. 

General Manager Chris Drury has issued a memo to NHL teams signaling that the Rangers are "open for business," as the organization seeks to address inconsistency despite a respectable 12-8-1 start to the season. 

Trouba, with an $8 million cap hit and a 15-team no-trade clause, has already declined a trade to Detroit earlier this year, citing family commitments. 

Kreider, who carries a $6.5 million cap hit and a similar no-trade clause, remains one of the team's top goal-scorers but has faced criticism for his line's lack of five-on-five production. 

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, these moves may not materialize immediately but serve to "send a clear message" to the locker room.

Jacob Trouba has cost this franchise a pair of Stanley Cups and more and more. I want him gone tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/uBBiUA6xrN

— Andrew Chodes (@AndrewChodes_) November 26, 2024

Head coach Peter Laviolette has publicly voiced frustration with the team’s performance, recently stating, “It’s not good enough, what we’re doing.” 

While younger players like Alexis Lafrenière and Will Cuylle have stepped up, the team’s core veterans, aside from Artemi Panarin and Igor Shesterkin, have struggled to meet expectations. 

Trouba’s uneven play as a middle-pair defenseman and Kreider’s inconsistency in generating scoring chances have made them focal points of trade speculation. 

An NHL executive commented, “Something must be wrong in that room,” noting concerns about the Rangers’ overall chemistry. While Drury’s actions may be aimed at sparking better results, league insiders note the difficulty of executing major trades midseason due to salary-cap constraints and no-trade clauses.

Chris Kreider is ready to dig in and get the Rangers back on track. #NHL pic.twitter.com/s3pFL6Ryhp

— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) November 27, 2024

As The Athletic’s Arthur Staple suggested, Drury’s announcement to league GMs “is as much about shaking up the culture as it is about fielding offers.” 

However, with Kreider and Trouba both holding substantial contracts and trade restrictions, significant moves may have to wait until the offseason.

Photo Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images