Rangers Rumor Roundup: Rick Nash to Minnesota? Trade Chris Kreider?

Anthony Scultore Jul 13, 2016

It’s been fairly quiet on the rumor front, but here’s the latest.

Rick Nash to Minnesota?

ESPN’s Matt Coller listed Rick Nash as one of 7 players likely to be moved before the season starts. In the latest Insider Edition, Coller suggests that a Nash to Minnesota for either Mikael Granlund (F), Nino Niederreiter (F), or Matt Dumba (D) would make sense.

Lyle Richardson of Spector’s Hockey notes:

It would certainly be a bold decision by the Wild to pursue Nash. Still, I think their recent signing of Eric Staal is likely the biggest move they’ll make this summer. They’ll likely evaluate Granlund and Niederreiter’s performances next season. Wild GM Chuck Fletcher recently said he’s hopeful of re-signing Dumba in the next few weeks.

FullTilt Take: I agree with Lyle and don’t see it. It should also be noted that Granlund and Niederreiter will be RFA’s next summer. IF this was a possibility, it would have to be Dumba and probably Granlund or Niederreiter for it to make sense for the NYR.

Trading Chris Kreider?

Pat Leonard of the NYDN has been the most vocal about it, but Andrew Gross of the Bergen Record believes it could be a possibility if Kreider demands too much money.

It’s not unreasonable to think the Rangers might try to trade Kreider, or at least see what his market value is, if they believe his price will be too high. Then again, it’s reasonable to think the Rangers haven’t found the market to their liking yet this off-season as they try to A) create some salary cap room and B) alter their dressing room chemistry. – Andrew Gross

When it comes to trade possibilities, here’s what Pat is thinking:

Speed is at a premium in the NHL after the Penguins’ championship run, and though the Rangers don’t want to get slower, Kreider’s assets probably would have to be the lynchpin of a trade that brought, say, defenseman Matt Dumba back from Minnesota or Kevin Shattenkirk East from St. Louis.

Cam Fowler is also mentioned as Anaheim is looking for more scoring. However he plays the left side and the Rangers are looking for help on the right.

FullTilt Take: Trading Kreider is a mistake, unless of course the return is a player like Shattenkirk but that is probably unlikely.