New York Rangers trade buzz: Interest growing in Andrew Copp
The New York Rangers remain interested in plenty of potential trade targets, but with the deadline just one day away they are playing it very cool.
Chris Drury brought in speedy third-liner Frankie Vatrano for a fourth-round pick earlier last week. Right now, he’s holding a spot for Kaapo Kakko on the second line as he remains out with an upper-body injury.
Gerard Gallant last updated Kakko and Kevin Rooney’s injury status as week-to-week. It’s possible both could be back after the deadline, but neither has participated in a practice yet.
New York Rangers interest in Andrew Copp growing
Andrew Copp is a name for Rangers fans to start keeping an eye on over the next 24 hours. The 27 year-old is due to become a UFA, and is most likely going to be moved by the Winnipeg Jets.
“Hearing that conversation around Andrew Copp are intensifying,” Elliotte Friedman said on HNIC. “Versatile forward would be very valuable. Boston, Rangers, and Colorado especially are teams interested in him.”
This season, Copp has 13 goals and 32 points in 55 games. The Michigan born forward can play a little center but has been used primarily on the wing. His current cap hit is $3.64M and he will be looking for an increase next season.
There is very little regarding what the Jets are looking for, but one can assume with the cost of other rentals that it could very well be a first-round pick.
Rangers still trying to land Mark Giordano
The next big rental defenseman on the market is Seattle Kraken captain, Mark Giordano. According to multiple reports, GM Ron Francis wants a first-round pick for the lefty.
It’s also being noted that a lot of the contenders vying for his services don’t want to give up a first rounder for the 38 year-old veteran.
Giordano is a Toronto native and will be a pending UFA this summer. He’s registered 23 points in 55 games this season. The word out there is that he would like to play for his hometown team and they want him too. However, the Rangers are very much in play.
“I think the Maple Leafs have some competition (for Giordano) with the Rangers,” Friedman said. “One of things that Kyle Dubas has made very clear that he doesn’t want to trade his 1st-rd pick or prospects for rentals.”
Would Chris Drury opt to give Seattle what they want? If so, I think the deal would’ve been done already. This could come down to the wire tomorrow.
Other notes
Rickard Rakell is still the Rangers top target but there’s no doubt that it will take a first-round pick and more to land him.
Pat Verbeek has already moved two out of three of his big UFA rentals in Josh Manson and Hampus Lindholm. In return, he’s already received two good prospects and a boatload of draft picks which include a 1st-rd selection from the Bruins, and three 2nd-rd picks.
The cost of Rakell is rightfully where it needs to be and several teams are after him. Chris Drury needs to do his best to land Rakell and bolster the team’s offense. Plus, he doesn’t want the Penguins to land him. A team the Rangers are very likely to face in the first round.
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