It’s time for another round of NHL rumours for Tuesday. The New York Rangers have already made a couple of moves before the March 3 deadline. Vladimir Tarasenko has already made the switch to Broadway. The Blueshirts also reacquired Tyler Motte on Saturday. However, the Rangers may not be done making moves. New York could make more moves to shore up their forward depth. Today’s NHL rumours look at a possible Nick Bonino trade or a Nick Bjugstad trade.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Rangers Explore Nick Bjugstad Trade or Nick Bonino Trade
Rumour: The Athletic’s Arthur Staple said the Rangers might not be done getting forward depth. Staple pointed out the Blueshirts could go after Bjugstad now if they trade Vitali Kravtsov or Jake Leschyshyn as part of the deal. New York is currently racking up more cap space and could go after Bonino. The San Jose Sharks could also do them a favour and retain some cap space in order to make a deal happen.
Motte on his way to NY now, should be in the lineup tomorrow for #NYR against Winnipeg.
According to CapFriendly, #NYR are still accruing cap space. Swapping out Kravtsov/Leschyshyn for a 4C could work now (Bjugstad) or after they've accrued more space (Bonino w/$ retained).
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) February 19, 2023
Larry Brooks of the New York Post also added that Nashville Predators forward Tanner Jeannot could be on the Rangers’ radar. All three players are in the last years of their respective contracts. Bjugstad and Bonino are unrestricted free agents at the end of the year while Jeannot is a restricted free agent. The Predators winger also has arbitration rights as well.
Could a Depth Trade Happen for the Rangers?
New York is up against the cap, but Bjugstad and Jeannot are cheap options. Bjugstad currently makes $900,000 while Jeannot carries an $800,000 cap hit. Bonino has a $2.05 million cap number, but that could be reduced if the Sharks retain salary.
The Rangers look like they want to be heavier in the bottom part of their lineup. Getting Motte was a good start, but someone like the trio of rumoured players could get the Rangers some more defensive depth in the bottom six. New York has three solid scoring lines, but a shutdown line would help them out a lot in the stretch drive.
Main photo by: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
