It's been quiet in the New York Rangers' rumor mill since their disappointing season ended last month. This is likely the calm before the inevitable storm, as Rangers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers] GM Chris Drury could continue tinkering with his roster later this summer. Chris Kreider remains the most likely trade candidate. The 34-year-old left winger struggled through an injury-hampered campaign but still reached the 20-goal plateau (22) for the 10th time in his 13-season NHL career. Nevertheless, Peter Baugh of The Athletic expects Kreider to be traded [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6368017/2025/05/20/rangers-coaches-sullivan-kreider-nhl-mailbag/] in a cost-cutting deal to free up cap room for other moves. He noted that Kreider has two years left on his contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million with a 15-team no-trade list. Baugh noted that Kreider could make himself difficult to move by eliminating teams with the cap space to absorb his contract. However, he could also work with Rangers management to find a desirable trade destination if he'd welcome a change. Baugh also doesn't expect they'll bring in any big-name replacement for Kreider. Chris Kreider (Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/cb21febf-cae9-474c-a521-9acd14fe9b18.jpeg] Chris Kreider (Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images) Meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres] are reportedly shopping Bowen Byram. The 23-year-old defenseman is completing a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.85 million. He's due to become an RFA with arbitration rights on July 1. Byram will seek a more lucrative deal after finishing with a career-best 38 points in 82 games this season. However, the Sabres' rumored priority [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-is-patrik-laine-done-in-montreal-will-the-sabres-shop-bowen-byram] is signing forwards JJ Peterka, Alex Tuch, Jack Quinn and Ryan McLeod. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports the Sabres are gauging Byram's value [https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/rumour-roundup-latest-on-marner-byram-and-islanders-gm-search/] in the trade market. Despite his injury history, Byram's youth and all-around skills should attract plenty of interest in this summer's trade market. The Sabres will likely prefer a player-for-player swap. Their asking price could be a veteran top-four, right-shot defenseman to pair with young Owen Power. Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames] could be of interest to the Sabres. The 28-year-old blueliner is a year away from UFA eligibility and could become available if he and the Flames fail to agree to an extension. The Ottawa Senators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/ottawa-senators] could also target Andersson if the Flames put him on the trade block. A Postmedia report indicated [https://ottawasun.com/sports/ottawa-senators-need-defenceman] Senators GM Steve Staios could shop for a right-shot rearguard after Nick Jensen underwent lower-body surgery. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/ottawa-senators/players/why-is-ottawa-senators-defenceman-nick-jensen-so-guarded-about-his-lower-body-injury] The report speculated that Andersson [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-calgary-flames-could-face-another-busy-summer] could seek around $8 million annually on his next contract, which could prompt the Flames to peddle him this season. Given his UFA eligibility next summer, the Senators would want assurances he'd sign a contract extension. During the Flames' end-of-season media availability, GM Craig Conroy said he hoped to open extension talks with Andersson soon. However, he won't put himself in the same position he was in two years ago with Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin. Conroy could shop Andersson to the highest bidder if a deal cannot be worked out. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
