New York Rangers trade rumors will be a focus with 1 week until trade deadline

new york rangers
Jan 3, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93) celebrate the 4-1 win with New York Rangers goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (40) against the Edmonton Oilers after the game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
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The New York Rangers trade rumors will be a big focus this week.

After coming off a big win against the Dallas Stars in which they avoided losing their third straight in regulation. With their 7-4 victory on Saturday night, the resilient Blueshirts continue to show an ability to bounce back. It’s something that has kept losses to a minimum with never more than two regulation defeats in a row all season.

Entering this week, the Rangers have four more games before the NHL Trade Deadline which includes the following matchups:

  • Anaheim Ducks 3/15
  • New York Islanders 3/17
  • @Tampa Bay Lightning 3/19
  • @Carolina Hurricanes 3/20

Expect the trade rumors to ramp up with the possibility of a move before the team hits the road against Tampa and Carolina.

New York Rangers trade rumors

This time of year can be a little distracting and maybe that was the case in the heads of some of the Rangers last week.

“You’re always thinking about (the trade deadline),” Gerard Gallant said during the road trip. “Every player loves his teammates and loves his group and sometimes you get traded and even if you don’t get traded, you’re still thinking about it right up to the deadline.”

One superstar that was linked to offseason speculation about Jack Eichel that could have impacted his future with the club was Mika Zibanejad.

“If you’re not in a playoff spot or like this year we’re in a playoff spot, it’s different chatter than it was last year and the year before,” he said. “I think it’s part of it, I’ve been through a lot of them.”

Zibanejad’s future is secure with the Rangers after signing an 8-year extension before the season started, but in truth most of the players on the current roster are safe. Still, it weighs on the mind, even if it’s in anticipation of who may be joining the club.

What may happen leading up to the trade deadline

new york rangers rumors
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

President and General Manager Chris Drury is expected to make several deals before the March 21 deadline date. The team is targeting a right wing that can play on either of the first three lines.

The primary candidate is Anaheim Ducks pending UFA Rickard Rakell who has 28 points in 51 games this season. With the Ducks falling quickly out of the playoff race in the West, they are expected to be sellers.

Rumblings have the Rangers willing to give up Vitali Kravtsov for Rakell, but Ducks GM Pat Verbeek is looking to see if he can extract more or better. Another potential target to fill a hole on the right side is Phil Kessel, but Rakell is really who the Rangers want.

It is believed that Drury will make a run at Ben Chiarot, quite possibly willing to give up a first round pick for the big lefty defenseman. However, Canadiens president Jeff Gorton isn’t looking to do his old team any favors and will want much more, which is why I believe Chiarot goes elsewhere.

The Rangers will then look to add depth players for the stretch run. Seattle’s Calle Jarnkrok, Chicago’s Ryan Carpenter, and Vegas’ Mattias Janmark keep coming up. One or two of them would bolster the bottom six and not be too costly.

On defense, Buffalo’s Colin Miller may make some sense as a depth add but it would not surprise me if Drury stands pat on the blue line.

As for any monster deals involving J.T. Miller or Tomas Hertl, those rumors can be put to bed. So can the idea of trading Alexandar Georgiev since the best Drury will get is a third round pick and he’d have to trade for a replacement.

NHL Rumors Roundup

Get the latest on the NHL Trade Deadline including the Avs inching closer to a possible Claude Giroux deal. Plus the latest on the Rangers, Blackhawks, and two names now off the board. Read more here.

Anthony Scultore is the founder of Forever Blueshirts and has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL... More about Anthony Scultore

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