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NHL It's not clear if the Rangers are willing to go that far, but Vincent Trocheck would generate considerable interest at the deadline. Sam Navarro / Imagn Images The New York Rangers’ management group, led by team president and general manager Chris Drury, is still mulling how to handle the NHL’s March 6 trade deadline, as The Athletic detailed last week. But with the team failing to win seven of its last nine games and collecting only two regulation wins in its past 17, it’s getting harder to justify any moves that would jeopardize the future for short-term fixes. Advertisement Drury had been looking to buy in recent weeks, with a top-nine forward to boost a sputtering offense at the top of his wish list, according to a league source. The hope was that the Rangers would string together enough wins to climb back into the Eastern Conference playoff race and make it worth ponying up for reinforcements. Instead, they continue to stumble, with Saturday’s 10-2 embarrassment in Boston making any plan other than selling look foolish. There are still 11 games remaining until the Olympic break, which many GMs are viewing as a moment of truth to decide where their teams stand. But the mounting losses, combined with injuries to star players Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin, have left many around the league believing at least a partial sell-off is on the horizon in New York. We’ll take time in the coming weeks to examine what that might look like, as well as explore possible targets as Drury likely seeks a quick retool instead of a full teardown. His roster is flailing and his prospect pool depleted, but he is armed with a pair of first-round picks in the upcoming draft and a few veterans who would certainly draw interest if they hit the market. The preference is to add young players who can help immediately, but the Rangers could also use any assets acquired now to arm themselves for future trades. For this exercise, we’ve grouped players with any level of NHL experience into one of five categories based on their contract statuses and standing with the team. Some are considered very much available if Drury hits the “sell” button, while others are likely staying put unless something drastic happens. We’ve listed them in order of likelihood while offering thoughts on each situation. Artemi Panarin, wing

45 games, 16 goals, 49 points Panarin, who’s led the team in scoring each of the previous six seasons, is the biggest name the Rangers could move — and perhaps the most likely. The 34-year-old got off to a slow start, which he admitted could have been affected by his uncertain future in New York, but his production has ticked up the last couple months. Extension talks never got very far, according to a league source, potentially a sign Drury is hesitant to give Panarin the term and money he wants. This will probably be the final large contract he’s able to sign in his career, with the odds seemingly increasing he’ll have to sign it elsewhere. Advertisement There are a couple factors that would make a Panarin trade difficult, starting with his no-movement clause. He can veto any trade, so he’ll have control over this situation. That will take away some of the Rangers’ leverage, especially if there are only one or two teams for whom he’d consider waiving. His $11. 64 million cap hit will also be difficult for some contenders to fit onto their books, even if the Rangers retain salary in a deal. A comparable for potential Panarin return would be the one Philadelphia received for Claude Giroux in 2022. Then the Flyers captain, Giroux had a full no-movement clause and went to the Panthers at the trade deadline. Florida gave up a 2024 first-round pick, a 2023 third-round pick and Owen Tippett for Giroux, a 2024 fifth-round pick and two AHLers. Last deadline, Brad Marchand, who had a modified no-trade clause, got Boston a 2027 second-round pick that converted into a first when Florida won two playoff rounds. Given the track record of recent trades, New York will surely aim to get at least a first-round pick, but a potential return will be largely dependent on how many teams Panarin is willing to consider. Carson Soucy, defenseman

42 games, 3 goals, 6 points There’s a big drop-off after Panarin among New York’s pending UFAs, but Soucy is the next most valuable. He’s not much of a puck-mover, but he’s been solid defensively this season and could slot into a third-pair role on a contending team. The Rangers got him for San Jose’s 2025 third-round pick at last year’s deadline when he had a year more of term. They’d probably aim to recoup a third-rounder, but may have to settle for a little less now since he’s a pending UFA. Still, Soucy should net at least a mid-round pick. The 31-year-old will have some control over his situation. He has a 12-team no-trade list. Jonny Brodzinski, wing/center

31 games, 4 goals, 9 points Advertisement Brodzinski’s value is surely limited, but he could potentially bring back a late-round pick if a team is looking for a depth forward capable of chipping in offense. He’s been in and out of the Rangers lineup since joining the NHL roster full-time in the 2023-24 season, but the team trusted him to play postseason games in both 2022 and 2024. Some comparables from the 2025 deadline: Daniel Sprong (acquired from Seattle by the Devils for a seventh-round pick), Luke Kunin (acquired from San Jose by Columbus for a fourth-round pick) and Mark Jankowski (acquired from Nashville by Carolina for a fifth-round pick). If offers don’t rise above what Seattle got for Sprong, it might be worth holding onto Brodzinski. The former captain of AHL Hartford has been a positive mentor for younger players in the dressing room, which is why Drury might consider a league-minimum extension beyond this season. Jonathan Quick, goalie

13 games, . 899 save percentage Quick has a 20-team no-trade list and is as well-respected as anyone in the dressing room, which is why the Rangers will presumably let him decide his fate. He already has three Stanley Cups and contenders likely wouldn’t view him as a starter at this stage, so the 39-year-old (who will turn 40 this month) might just prefer to stay put. Conor Sheary, wing

37 games, 1 goal, 9 points Sheary was on crutches at the Winter Classic and is on long-term injured reserve. It’s hard to see him having much value on the trade market, though he’s been more serviceable this season than some Rangers fans give him credit for. Brennan Othmann, wing

6 games, 0 goals, 0 points This is the most obvious one, with a league source indicating the Rangers have been actively listening on offers for the 2021 first-round pick since he was a surprisingly early cut following a disappointing training camp. The problem is, the value isn’t there for a player they’ve been reluctant to trust in their own lineup. They can hope for a return similar to what the Chicago Blackhawks got for Lukas Reichel in October, when they shipped the fellow first-round forward to Vancouver for a 2027 fourth-rounder. But Reichel has a stronger scoring track record at both the AHL and NHL levels, making it likely New York would have to settle for even less. Advertisement Othmann’s play has improved with AHL Hartford recently, earning him a call up back to the NHL club Sunday evening. Showcase time? Brett Berard, wing

12 games, 0 goals, 0 points You can lump Berard in with Othmann as a young forward who’s fallen out of favor in the organization, considering his usage in recent weeks. We’ve heard the Rangers are listening on all winger prospects not named Gabe Perreault, but they’ll likely hold onto the depth if a worthwhile offer doesn’t materialize. The same goes for Jaroslav Chmelař, Adam Sýkora and others, although the value might be even lower in those cases. Alexis Lafrenière, wing

46 games, 9 goals, 24 points Trading Lafrenière would be an organizational loss for the Rangers, who drafted him No. 1 overall in 2020, but his production has stagnated. The 24-year-old has failed to build on his 57-point season in 2023-24, which earned him a seven-year, $52. 15 million extension in October 2024. His trade value is likely at the lowest of his career, making a trade hard for the Rangers to swallow. Lafrenière doesn’t have any trade protection until 2027, so Drury won’t have any restrictions if he decides it’s time to cut bait. New York would presumably seek another young player in return. Trading one of its only young, skilled forwards and getting older doesn’t make much sense. Perhaps the Rangers could look for a trade similar to the Dylan Cozens-Josh Norris swap we saw last deadline. Braden Schneider, defenseman

46 games, 2 goals, 8 points Schneider, a pending restricted free agent with arbitration rights, has averaged more ice time this season than every Rangers defenseman but Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov. He’s a defense-first defenseman and a solid outcome for a No. 19 pick, but he’s limited offensively with underwhelming on-ice metrics. Advertisement The 24-year-old feels more like someone the Rangers would consider moving only if trying to land a high-profile player. It’s a scenario they should look into given how much GMs covet big, strong, right-shot defensemen, but it would take something substantial to pry away a player who’s still highly thought of internally and viewed as a high-character presence in the room. Vincent Trocheck, center

32 games, 11 goals, 27 points It’s unclear if the Rangers are willing to go to these lengths, but the 32-year-old is considered their most sought-after player among those without a no-movement clause. Centers will be the hottest commodities in a market that isn’t expected to feature many proven top-six contributors, and Trocheck’s contract (three years remaining with a $5. 625 million average annual value) looks like a bargain in this rising-cap world. A first-round pick plus a good prospect is a feasible return, which is the equivalent of what the New York Islanders netted for Brock Nelson last season and what the San Jose Sharks received for Tomáš Hertl in 2024. There have been no indications to this point that Drury is ready to entertain offers on Trocheck, who remains a favorite of the current GM and holds a 12-team no-trade list. It would signal a larger-scale teardown if he does, which likely wouldn’t sit well with captain J. T. Miller and other veterans, but it would also jump-start the process of restocking assets. The Rangers could hold him for another year or two, but his value will likely only decrease from here. Sam Carrick, center

46 games, 1 goal, 7 points Carrick is a fourth-line center who plays with an edge and toughness that’s made him a locker-room favorite. Drury signed him in 2024 for a contract that runs through 2026-27 at a $1 million AAV. A contender could look at the 33-year-old as a depth option — he was in and out of the Oilers’ postseason lineup in their run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2024 — but the return likely wouldn’t be more than a late-round pick. New York could simply elect to keep him as the 4C going into 2026-27. Taylor Raddysh, wing

43 games, 7 goals, 11 points Advertisement Drury signed Raddysh to a two-year, $1. 5 million AAV deal before the season, but Sullivan has scratched him at points during his first year in New York. The rising salary cap could make Raddysh’s contract easier for a team to take on, but he hasn’t stood out enough to warrant much of a return. Urho Vaakanainen, defenseman

20 games, 0 goals, 3 points Vaakanainen is signed at $1. 55 million through 2026-27. He likely won’t have any value on the trade market considering he hasn’t been able to crack a struggling Rangers lineup. Mika Zibanejad, center

45 games, 17 goals, 40 points It’s a long shot for anyone among this group to get traded, but if we had to pick one, the Zibanejad scenario feels most plausible. He told The Athletic during the preseason that he hasn’t been approached about waiving his NMC, and it’s fairly well-known that he loves living in New York City and doesn’t want to uproot his family. But could that change if he watches another season go down the tubes? Zibanejad has watched close friends Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba get pushed out and surely understands that could be his eventual fate. If the Rangers signal they’re taking another step back to get younger, perhaps the 32-year-old center — who will turn 33 in April — will decide it’s time to go to a place where he has a better chance to win. Adam Fox, defenseman

30 games, 4 goals, 28 points There’s a laundry list of reasons why Fox likely isn’t going anywhere. He grew up a Rangers fan, which is why he maneuvered his way to New York in the first place back in 2019. He recently started a family here and surely relishes the chance to raise his daughter so close to his parents. He’s only 27, making him a building block who should still be in his prime whenever the Rangers are ready to compete again. And if he continues along this path, he’ll go down as one of the greatest defensemen in franchise history. Advertisement That’s all well-established, but what’s less clear is where his relationship stands with Rangers brass after Drury and Sullivan were unable to secure him a spot with the U. S. Olympic team — or how Fox would feel about enduring any kind of temporary sell-off. The disappointment and awkwardness could dissipate over time, but there’s probably still some smoothing over to be done. J. T. Miller, wing/center

37 games, 11 goals, 24 points Most of Drury’s moves last season were aimed at shedding veterans to shake up the Rangers’ core, but Miller was a very notable exception. He was coveted for his ferocious play style and fiery leadership, then promptly named the franchise’s 29th captain less than eight months after being acquired from Vancouver. Nearly a year later, the trade that was intended to change the Rangers’ identity hasn’t aged very well. There are very legitimate concerns about Miller’s diminishing production over the life of a seven-year, $56 million contract that still has four years remaining after this season. But for better or worse, Drury has hitched his wagon to the 32-year-old forward, who will turn 33 in March. Vladislav Gavrikov, defenseman

46 games, 7 goals, 15 points Gavrikov showed he wanted to be in New York in free agency, taking less money than he probably could have received from other teams. He negotiated a full no-movement clause into his deal and has proceeded to be a solid fit with the Rangers. Igor Shesterkin, goaltender

34 games, . 913 save percentage It’s hard to see Shesterkin wanting to leave in the first season of an eight-year extension, and it’s hard to see Drury having any interest in moving him. By giving him a record-setting goalie contract, the Rangers showed they see him as the goalie on their next good teams.