Rangers Rumors: Trade getting close as struggles continue in New York

After Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman dropped a 'Friedge Bomb' a couple of weeks ago, stating the New York Rangers were essentially open for a blockbuster trade, the trade talks haven't quieted down thanks in large part to the Rangers losing hockey games.

After the team's 5-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Monday, there's growing speculation that a deal is being worked on that is going to shake up the Rangers' roster immensely. While the team is trying to not let it bother them on the ice, there's no doubt the trade chatter has made it's way into the dressing room.

Defenseman Adam Fox gave an honest answer after Monday's loss when asked about all the buzz. "You hear things," Fox said of the chatter. "I don’t know if we consciously let it get in here, we try and just come in every day and play good hockey. Sometimes we don't. We've built a camaraderie in here, we all have each other's backs. ... That's just part of the territory, you're going to have outside noise. It's up to us to not let that creep in."

The Rangers sit 13-10-1, in the top wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference, but it's becoming quite obvious GM Chris Drury is looking to improve his hockey club and shake things up. It's only a matter of when and not if at this point, at least it certainly feels that way.

Kreider, Trouba, Kakko, Chytil, Smith, and Vesey are all Rangers who could be in play in trade talks.

Photo credit:  Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images