The New York Rangers lost again, and the rest of the NHL is reportedly watching what they'll do next with the roster freeze lifted.
The New York Rangers lost again, and the rest of the NHL is reportedly watching what they'll do next with the roster freeze lifted.
As 2025 approaches, the New York Rangers show no sign of reversing the tailspin that sent them tumbling out of playoff contention. Since Nov. 21, they've won just four of 19 games and sit near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
The Rangers' stunning decline generated growing media trade chatter that will carry over into the New Year. On Saturday, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said the Blueshirts remain a team that “everyone's watching” with the holiday roster freeze lifted.
Chris Kreider remains a hot topic of trade conjecture. The 33-year-old Rangers left winger was reportedly on a list of trade candidates sent around the league in late November by GM Chris Drury. One of them, Jacob Trouba, was shipped to the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 6.
Eyebrows were raised when Kreider was a healthy scratch from the Rangers' 5-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Dec. 23. Larry Brooks of the New York Post reported that the move wasn't the precursor to a trade but was made by coach Peter Laviolette to hold his veterans accountable.
Kreider is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $6.5 million and a 15-team no-trade list. Brooks believes those extra two years on the winger's contract add to his trade value, suggesting he should fetch “a meaningful asset or two.”
That would be true if Kreider were playing up to his usual standards. However, he has only 12 goals and 13 points in 32 games. The Athletic's Arthur Staple noted that he's been nursing a back injury, which could affect his performance and stock in the trade market.
During Monday's 32 Thoughts: The Podcast episode, Friedman suggested Vincent Trocheck as a player other clubs would climb over themselves to get if he became available. The 31-year-old two-way forward has 23 points in 36 games centering the Rangers' second line.
Friedman also acknowledged Trocheck has control over this situation, carrying a full no-movement clause for this season. However, it drops to a 12-team no-trade on July 1. He might accept a move before the March 7 NHL trade deadline if he was also on Drury's list of trade candidates.
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