NY Rangers 'Trade Tiers' Lists Only 2 Players "Untouchable"

New York Rangers GM Chris Drury has made it clear in no uncertain terms that he's ready to shake things up. He even tossed two longtime players out into the ether as potential trade chips, in Jacob Trouba (not surprising) and Chris Kreider (very surprising).

But those won't be the only names burning up the phone lines around front offices as Drury looks to do something to snap his team out of their early-season doldrums.

Peter Baugh of The Athletic breaks it all down, ranking the Rangers players by 'trade tiers'. He sees only two players as untouchable (his 'Not going anywhere' tier), and two players in the 'Young potential trade chips' club.

Not going anywhere

Adam Fox

With three straight 70+ point seasons, two All-Star berths and the 2021 Norris Trophy under his belt, Fox is a "foundational piece", notes Baugh, and "There’s no world where trading him makes sense."

Alexis Lafrenière

The former No. 1 overall pick (2020 NHL Draft) finally had his breakout season last year, popping 28 goals with 29 assists and 57 points, all career highs. Still only 23, the seven-year extension he signed earlier this season "ensures he’s part of the team’s long-term plans."

Young potential trade chips

K'Andre Miller

The young former first-rounder is off to a slow start this season, and as a pending RFA, any plans of an extension are on hold for now. It's felt he could bring back a nice return.

Kaapo Kakko

Another pending RFA, Kakko's name has been on the trade block since the end of last season. The former No. 2 overall pick is off to a decent start after signing a one-year, 'prove it' deal at $2.4M this past summer. But that number also makes the young, two-way forward a good trade candidate.

As for Trouba and Kreider, Baugh does rank them as possible trade bait, but realistically figures it wouldn't take place until the offseason for both of them.