Who Will Be The First Rangers Player To Be Traded?

It's Friday – that time again – and here we go with another chapter of ASK THE MAVEN. Today's question comes via Fred Pearl of Hunter, N.Y. (Take it away, Fred:)

WHO DO YOU THINK WILL BE THE FIRST RANGER TO BE TRADED?

The Maven replies: My initial guess is Chris Kreider who has outlived his usefulness in every way as a Ranger. He's gotten slow, is erratic, and was – foolishly, I must say, – mentioned as trade bait last season by Chris Drury. 

But, dealing a player so obviously on the downside of his career is challenging to say the least. Most likely I expect Drury to peddle a younger player who another GM can see as a rehab prospect. Alexis Lafreniere is the first Ranger who'll go in what likely will be a mini-blockbuster deal. 

Targets figure to include San Jose, Vancouver and L.A.  Give Drury a month to pull it off!