Rangers Daily: Why trade Trocheck; McDavid downplays possible injury
Elliotte Friedman reported recently on his 32 Thoughts podcast that trade interest is going to spike soon for New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck.
That’s because “someone who’s gonna lose early (in the Stanley Cup Playoffs) is gonna say ‘you know what … we could use Vinny Trocheck.'”
The Rangers, of course didn’t move Trocheck ahead of the March 6 NHL Trade Deadline, despite holding him out of the lineup for roster management, because general manager Chris Drury didn’t — couldn’t — get the offers he wanted for the veteran center. Drury explained there should be an even more robust market for Trocheck this summer.
We’ll see if that’s how it plays out for the Rangers and Trocheck. But Newsday beat reporter Colin Stephenson offered up a different angle on Trocheck, questioning why the Rangers would trade a player who fits the type team Drury is trying to build — albeit at an advanced age.
“If this is the kind of player you want to get, you have him [already], so why [trade him]?,” Stephenson told Forever Blueshirts on the Rink Rap podcast. “Obviously, if you trade a 33-year-old Vincent Trocheck and get back a 23-year-old Vincent Trocheck, that can build into that, then that’s why you would do it. If you can trade a 33-year-old Vincent Trocheck and get a 23-year-old Vincent Trocheck prototype, lookalike, plus something else — a first-round pick or something — I guess you do it.”
Though Stephenson believes Trocheck will be dealt this offseason, he detailed further why the popular alternate captain who plays in every important game situation remains a good fit with the Rangers.
“I was not in favor of trading Trocheck at the deadline because he represents what you want to be,” he explained. “He’s gritty, he’s straight-line, he wins face-offs, kills penalties, he’s great in the locker room, good leader, and doesn’t make a ton of money. He’s not overpaid. He’s on a good-value contract (three more years at $5.625 million annually).
Of course, Stephenson also argued that the Rangers need a talent upgrade in their top-six forward group. Perhaps trading Trocheck can help you achieve that goal, too?
There are no easy nor clear-cut answers, and plenty of arguments on both sides. It’s part of what makes this Rangers offseason so fascinating and nerve-wracking to watch from the outside.
Rangers news and analysis
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John Kreiser weighs in on whether Chris Drury is the right person to run this latest retool or rebuild or re-set for the Rangers.
There’s one main reason why Colin Stephenson remains “bullish” on the Rangers. They’ve got Igor Shesterkin and other teams do not.
NHL news and rumors
Sportsnet: Connor McDavid missed part of the Edmonton Oilers’ 6-4 loss to the Anaheim Ducks in Game 2 of their best-of-7 playoff series after apparently sustaining a lower-body issue in the second period. Afterward, the superstar forward told reporters “it’s fine,” though he didn’t appear to be at his best out on the ice.
TSN: Looks like Seattle Kraken GM Jason Botterill will keep his job despite team CEO Tod Lieweke stating that the Kraken may bring in outside firms to audit how the organization is run and why they missed the playoffs three straight seasons. Ron Francis stepped down as Kraken president a couple weeks ago.
Philly Hockey Now: William James called it the “Broad Street Brawl,” a throwback 5-2 win for the Flyers in Game 3 over the Pittsburgh Penguins, setting Philly up with a chance to sweep this best-of-7 series.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Dan Kingerski provides perspective from Penguins goalie Stuart Skinner, who’s been there with a team that erased a 3-0 deficit to force a decisive Game 7.
TSN: Sidney Crosby’s embellishment minor penalty was quite the topic of debate after Game 3 in Philly.
NHL.com: What’s better than overtime in a Stanley Cup Playoff game? Double overtime. And the Dallas Stars and Minnesota provided such theater Wednesday in Game 3 of their series, with Wyatt Johnston’s 2OT game-winner the difference in the Stars’ 4-3 come-from-behind win.
TSN: Here’s a massive blow for the Washington Capitals: defenseman Rasmus Sandin is out 6-9 months after knee surgery.
New Jersey Hockey: After listening to Devils ownership speak on their GM change the other day, James Nichols details the slow build which led to the firing of Tom Fitzgerald.
