New York Rangers trade tiers at 2024 All Star Break

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The New York Rangers and the rest of the league are enjoying the All-Star Break. While Igor Shesterkin, Vincent Trocheck, and Peter Laviolette get set to represent the Blueshirts this weekend, it also marks a little over a month away before the Mar. 8th trade deadline.

This represents another opportunity to update the New York Rangers Trade Tiers for this season. Let’s take a look at how the roster players and some key prospects are ranked into three categories: Not Going Anywhere, Probable, and Trade Bait.

Note: Players on their Entry-Level contracts, and those that have trade protections are indicated in parentheses. Additionally, their contractual status at the end of the year is also noted.

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New York Rangers trade tiers: Trade Bait

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The Rangers list of players likely to be moved is minimal due to their cap situation and the number of no-move clauses in effect. That being said, as we draw closer to the deadline the assets in this category have grown since the last time we published this list in December.

New York has been playing average hockey for nearly two months and their need for a top-six right wing, a center, and more depth on defense is apparent. After what the Vancouver Canucks gave up to the Calgary Flames for a pure rental in Elias Lindholm, everyone’s trade value took a bump. If the Rangers intend on bolstering their lineup, it’s going to cost them.

Reports have already surfaced that struggling winger Kaapo Kakko is now trade bait. Considering that the Rangers have multiple holes to fill, their first-round pick should be firmly in this category. In addition, prospect defenseman Zac Jones could also be moved for some veteran depth on the blue line.

Finally, the Blueshirts believe they have a great chance to win it all despite their recent play. If they need more cap space to improve their top-nine, Barclay Goodrow could be shipped out in order to make it happen.

Probable For a Trade

This list below is comprised of players that Chris Drury may trade due to future cap considerations and some prospects that may be used at the NHL Trade Deadline.

  • Adam Edstrom (ELC)
  • Bobby Trivigno (RFA)
  • Brett Berard (ELC)
  • Erik Gustafsson (UFA)
  • Jake Leschyshyn
  • Jonny Brodzinski (UFA)
  • K’Andre Miller (RFA)
  • Karl Henriksson (RFA)
  • Matthew Rempe (ELC)
  • Matthew Robertson (RFA)
  • Ryder Korczak (ELC)

Moving Miller from the Not Going Anywhere category to Probable is only for the potential of upgrading the top-four on defense. There are very few deals like that to be made, but with the Ottawa Senators open to dealing Jakob Chychrun, he could be the piece that has to go the other way.

As for all the prospects on low-cost entry-level contracts, they’re probable sweeteners in either a cap-shaving deal or to outbid another contender for a player’s services.

Not Going Anywhere

This tier is pretty straight forward. These players are considered key pieces for this season and/or beyond. In some cases, the player’s contract has trade protection which automatically places them here.

I continue to keep the organization’s top prospects firmly in this bucket. Brennan Othmann, Will Cuylle, Adam Sykora, Dylan Garand, and Gabe Perreault all have huge potential. Othmann looks like a top six-winger for the franchise in the near future. Meanwhile, Cuylle is already thriving in a bottom-six role this season. As for Sykora and Garand, they need more time to develop in the AHL. Lastly, Perreault has been amazing as a freshman in college and may now be the top prospect in the entire organization.

By Anthony Scultore

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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