Rumor: Rangers looking to trade a forward

Anthony Scultore Updated: Oct 6, 2014

Is Lee Stempniak out of NY as soon as he arrived? Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

As we’ve been speculating since the prospect of Anthony Duclair making the team seemed likely last week, Glen Sather is looking to deal.

New York Rangers :: Rangers trying to trade forward https://t.co/F0iHdgCuRq

— The Fourth Period (@TFP) October 6, 2014

As per the 4th period, the Blueshirts need to move one of their 50 contracts in order to make room for Duclair. If they can’t, it would force a move to the minors for the gifted young winger. According to Alain Vigneault today, Duclair was already locked into the opening night roster in St. Louis this Thursday night.

#NYR head coach Alain Vigneault said he met with Anthony Duclair, told him that he would be playing in Thursday’s opener in St. Louis. — Sean Hartnett (@HartnettHockey) October 6, 2014

If that is the case, Sather must have the groundwork for a deal in place. Now the question is, who?

At this very moment, Lee Stempniak is a name that jumps out. He has been thoroughly invisible this pre-season and is playing a position (RW) that the Rangers are overloaded at.

Stempniak is on a one year deal for 900K and would surely fit on most team’s budget. With so many injuries this preseason, moving a player like Stempniak would not be impossible, especially for a low round pick. The Carolina Hurricanes, already thin with the loss of Jordan Staal may have lost Jeff Skinner to a concussion. Stempniak could easily provide much needed veteran leadership to a team loaded with unproven youth.

The Rangers must submit a cap compliant roster to the league by 5PM tomorrow. A move could be hammered out within hours.

We will keep you up to date.