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The New York Rangers “have made it very clear they are interested in making moves and shaking up their roster,” according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
Friedman cited left winger Chris Kreider and defenseman Jacob Trouba as players who could be on the way out.
New York is fourth in the Metropolitan Division with 25 points through 19 games. The team does at least occupy the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
But claiming a wild-card berth would be a disappointing outcome for a franchise coming off a record points haul (114) and a second Eastern Conference Final appearance in three seasons. Friedman’s report points to the sense of urgency the front office is feeling right now.
Unloading Kreider in particular would be a divisive decision in the Big Apple. The 33-year-old has spent his entire career with the Rangers. He’s 10th all time in appearances (834) and third in goals (313).
Kreider’s production this year (nine goals and zero assists) leaves a lot to be desired, though, and he’s due to count for $6.5 million annually for the next two years. Leaving sentiment aside, trading him for the right offer makes sense.
With his $8 million salary for 2025-26, Trouba makes sense as another outgoing trade chip. Whether he actually gets moved is another matter considering the Rangers went down this road in the offseason and didn’t have any takers.
The Rangers could clearly use some reinforcements because they have some glaring holes on the roster. Chris Drury may have a hard time upgrading the roster in a meaningful way, however, when aging vets such as Kreider and Trouba could have a limited market and the front office has already sacrificed so many young players and draft picks to assemble this roster.
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