New York Rangers trade tiers; from untouchables to most likely gone

Anthony Scultore Updated: Jun 1, 2021

panarin fox — Nov 7, 2019; Raleigh, NC, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (23) is congratulated by center Artemi Panarin (10) and right wing Kaapo Kakko (24) after scoring a third period empty net goal against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Rangers won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Rangers are well into their offseason management while eight teams fight for the right to lift the Stanley Cup. Chris Drury is not changing the general philosophy of what John Davidson and Jeff Gorton put in place. There will be no trading of kids for 30 year-olds.

However, there will be a change in direction. More emphasis on striking a balance in the lineup has already been publicly stated. Dismissing Nick Bobrov as head of European Scouting signals a shift to draft more North American players, or at least those who excel in a North/South game.

Based on these factors I’ve compiled the latest list of Rangers trade tiers.

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New York Rangers trade tiers: Untouchables

The untouchables tier is pretty straight forward. These players are considered the foundation for whatever Chris Drury builds going forward. Ryan Lindgren, who recently signed a new three year deal moved up from the “unlikely” tier to the “untouchable”.

Adam Fox
Alexis Lafrenière
Ryan Lindgren
K’Andre Miller
Artemi Panarin (NMC)
Igor Shesterkin (RFA)
Mika Zibanejad (NMC)

Unlikely to be traded

This group has some expected names. Both Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba have no-move clauses, plus their contracts make them hard to trade as well. As for the other names on this list, I do believe that if the right center came along (a healthy Jack Eichel, or Alexander Barkov) the Rangers may move one of either Kaapo Kakko or Nils Lundkvist.

Morgan Barron
Pavel Buchnevich (RFA)
Kaapo Kakko
Chris Kreider (NMC)
Nils Lundkvist (unsigned)
Braden Schneider
Jacob Trouba (NMC)

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Trade Bait

In this cluster of players, we have some interesting names that the Rangers would deem “available”. Again, Kravtsov isn’t going to be traded for Evgeni Malkin as far as I understand. However, these are names that Drury will be more willing to discuss in deals.

Colin Blackwell
Alexandar Georgiev
Brett Howden (RFA)
Keith Kinkaid
Vitali Kravtsov
Tarmo Reunanen
Kevin Rooney
Ryan Strome

Most Likely Gone

This final group are players that I believe will be traded this summer. Shopped if you will.

Filip Chytil is just too much of what they already have and is not fit for third line duties. Zac Jones will also be aggressively shopped around due to overload the Rangers have on defense with Schneider, Lundkvist, and Matthew Robertson.

Filip Chytil (RFA)
Julien Gauthier (RFA)
Libor Hajek (RFA)
Zac Jones

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By Anthony Scultore

Anthony Scultore is the founder of Forever Blueshirts and has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL ... More about Anthony Scultore