It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We’re nearing the American Thanksgiving holiday, but some teams aren’t in a cheerful spirit. General managers are always looking to improve their rosters and could be in the mood to make deals. Some executives have already gotten started, but more deals could be coming. The pressure is always on these GMs to make a deep Stanley Cup Playoff run. One team that is trying to manage the lofty expectations is the New York Rangers. This edition of NHL rumours takes a look at a roster shakeup for the Blueshirts.
All NHL rumous come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
New York Rangers Looking Into Roster Overhaul
Rumour: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said that the Rangers could be in line for a roster shakeup. This is on the heels of their 6-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night. Names that were mentioned by Friedman were Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba.
In the aftermath of their 6-2 loss in Edmonton on Saturday, the Rangers have made it very clear they are interested in making moves and shaking up their roster.
Among the names indicated are Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba, although other options will be considered.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) November 25, 2024
Analysis: The Rangers are underperforming after another deep post-season run. New York was listed as one of the league’s contenders at the beginning of the season. However, the Blueshirts have been struggling in recent games.
A 5-2 defeat to the St Louis Blues is also raising alarms and The New York Post’s Mollie Walker said that general manager Chris Drury has reached out to other teams. The memo added that the Rangers are open for business and willing to listen to offers on a number of players.
New York has lost three straight games, which is something it only did once when it had a four-game skid in January of the 2023-24 season. Head coach Peter Laviolette even said that club hasn’t been playing up to standards and they have to be better.
Not the First Time for Trouba
The Rangers’ captain had been subject to rumours over the summer and there was talk that a deal with the Detroit Red Wings was close. However, that swap seemingly fell apart and the veteran blueliner is still in the Big Apple.
Trouba carries a cap hit of $8 million for this season and next. It could be easier to move him in the off-season with only one year left on his deal. However, the Rangers want to get moving and get back in the mix in the Eastern Conference.
The 30-year-old has had some struggles with the team and seemingly isn’t worth the large price tag. Moving the Rochester, Mich. native may be hard to do. He also has a 15-team no-trade clause.
A Youth Movement
This season has seen the Rangers youngsters really make the jump. Alexis Lafreniere has earned himself a massive contract extension and Will Cuylle has been a bright spot in a dark period. Cuylle will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season and should be in line for a raise.
Kaapo Kakko is seemingly getting more chances and K’Andre Miller is deserving of a new deal. Drury does have the luxury good young talent, but has to find a way to pay for it.
Kreider, who is dealing with an upper-body injury, has been having a tough time with other veterans like Mika Zibanejad and Reilly Smith. It would be hard moving him as well due to his 15-team no-trade clause and $6.5 million contract.
It seems the Blueshirts are ready to get younger and trim some of the fat on the roster. However, it could be a painful stretch if deals are made.
Main photo by: Danny Wild-Imagn Images
