Latest trade rumor links Rangers to Hurricanes defenseman: ‘made a pitch’
Let’s just say that it appears New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury has a slew of irons in the fire, trying to fast-track their current retool and rebuild the organizational depth chart.
On top of making nine selections in the 2026 NHL Draft this past weekend, the Rangers acquired Pavel Dorofeyev, an elite goal-scoring forward, from the Vegas Golden Knights in a massive trade Friday. They were also in on center Mason McTavish, before the Anaheim Ducks traded the 23-year-old to the St. Louis Blues. And they made a pair of minor trades, dealing away bottom-six forwards Brett Berard to the Montreal Canadiens, and Adam Edstrom to the Nashville Predators.
But that’s not all. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported on the latest 32 Thoughts podcast that the Rangers discussed a possible trade for Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin.
“Carolina has Nikishin out there, that’s definitely true. I heard the Rangers made a pitch for him, pretty hard,” Friedman explained. “But they didn’t just want picks back for Nikishin, they wanted a player, and a player that was helpful.”
There’s no word when this trade offer took place. Perhaps it was before the Rangers dealt three picks, including first-rounders in 2026 (No. 26 overall) and 2028 (top-10 protected) in the Dorofeyev trade. But it’s clear the Rangers seek to improve their defense corps, perhaps even after selecting Alberts Smits with the No. 5 overall pick this year.
Nikishin is a 24-year-old left-shot defenseman, who can play either side. He’s also a restricted free agent, who reportedly is seeking a long-term contract averaging at least $8 million per season. Nikishin played four seasons in the KHL before joining the Hurricanes. He recorded 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) as an NHL rookie this past season and helped Carolina win the Stanley Cup.
But the Hurricanes appear willing to move on from him, especially after acquiring the rights to veteran UFA defenseman John Carlson in a trade with the Ducks this past weekend.
“I expect anything and everything from Carolina this week,” Friedman stated. “They are not satisfied [with winning the Stanley Cup], not satisfied. They’ve got a lot of [salary cap] room.”
Carlson, 36, reportedly wants $10 million per season on a two-year contract. Though older than Nikishin by 12 years, Carlson remains a top-tier defenseman, plus he’s a natural right-side fit, which appeals to the Hurricanes.
The Rangers could pursue a more affordable, though not as impactful, option, in free agency, which begins Wednesday. Right now the Rangers have Adam Fox, Will Borgen, Braden Schneider, and Scott Morrow on the right side — though Schneider’s name continues to pop up in trade rumors — and Vladislav Gavrikov, Drew Fortescue, Matthew Robertson, Urho Vaakanainen, and Smits on the left.
Latest update on possible Rangers trade of Vincent Trocheck
What of Vincent Trocheck, you ask?
Well, Friedman didn’t have a specific update, but he shared a nugget on the podcast this week.
“I heard that the Rangers still have a very high ask there, if not higher than at the [trade] deadline [in March],” he said. “Honestly, part of me wondered after they got Dorofeyev would they want Trocheck to stay? Now, it might be too far down the road, I don’t know, but I heard that the Rangers ask on Trocheck was very high.”
Trocheck hired powerful agent Pat Brisson a couple weeks ago to help facilitate a trade to a destination the veteran center prefers. Trocheck has a 12-team no-trade clause in his contract, that drops to 10 teams on July 1. His stated preference is to remain on the east coast.
With Trocheck, the Rangers are very deep down the middle with him, Mika Zibanejad, J.T. Miller, and Noah Laba — though Miller or Zibanejad could move to the wing. If Trocheck’s traded, they could be in on a bottom-six free-agent center like Kevin Stenlund, depending on what they receive in return for Trocheck, of course.
The Rangers reportedly want an NHL player, prospect who’s close to being NHL-ready, and a draft pick in return for Trocheck, who has three years remaining on his contract at an affordable $5.625 million cap hit.
