According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, the New York Rangers are considering a major shakeup and have made several big name players available in trade talks
The Rangers have started the 2024-25 season with a 12-7-1 record, good for the top wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. GM Chris Drury must have some high expectations for his team, if he's considering making a major trade five games over .500.
New York is currently projected to have $2.7 million in deadline cap space, so Drury has a tiny bit of flexibility when it comes to taking on or moving salaries. Here's four Rangers who are potential trade candidates heading into the holiday season:
Jacob Trouba
It sounded like all summer long the Rangers were trying to convince Trouba to move on and due to some personal reasons, it never transpired. The shut-down defenceman has six assists in 20 games, playing over 20 minutes per game, including almost three minutes a night on the penalty kill. Trouba has this season and next on his contract, making $8-million AAV, and holds a 15-team no-trade clause. Could the Nashville Predators or Edmonton Oilers be a good landing spot?
Chris Kreider
The 33-year-old winger is signed through the 2026-27 season at $6.5 million AAV, he also holds a 15-team no-trade clause. The speedy Kreider has recorded nine goals and zero assists in 19 games this season and is coming off a 39-goal and 75-point season. Moving Kreider would be a major shakeup for the Rangers as he's one of the beloved teammates in the room, and it would also clear a path for Alexis Lafreniere to take over top spot on left wing in New York.
Filip Chytil
The 25-year-old Chytil earns $4.43 million against the cap, doesn't have any trade protection, and has two more seasons left on his deal. He's yet to reach his full potential, and a lot has to do with his injury troubles, year in and year out. Chytil's appeared in 15 games this season, scoring four goals and nine points. His career best season came two years ago when he tallied 22 goals and 45 points. Chytil is a name to watch as a potential trade candidate as he still maintains reasonable trade value being a 25-year-old former first-round pick.
Kaapo Kakko
Much like Chytil, Kakko hasn't come close to reaching his full potential just yet. The 23-year-old winger is a pending restricted free agent, making $2.3 million against the cap this season. Kakko's scored three times and added nine assists in 20 games and is averaging just over 13 minutes per game, including spending time on the Rangers' second power-play unit. It could be time for a change of scenery, and considering his early production this season, Drury may be smart to cash in as much as possible.
photo credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images
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