Rangers Roundup: Massive rumors update for NHL draft week

Anthony Scultore Updated: Jun 17, 2019

The latest news and rumors around the league and Blueshirts.

Dreger On Sirius XM

Insider Darren Dreger was on Sirius XM NHL Radio today and stated that the Rangers are heavily going after Jacob Trouba and that he believes that Artemi Panarin will be a New York Ranger next season.

We’ve been covering Trouba for days now so it isn’t surprising to hear Dreger say that. However, it is pretty noteworthy that he feels the Rangers and not the Panthers will wind up landing Panarin in free agency.

Oddly enough, that “all-in” vibe that so many insiders and beat writers are feeling isn’t lining up with what I’m getting from the Rangers. Of course, they are playing things as they always do, calm and close to the vest.

We will find out just how interested the Rangers are in Panarin on June 23rd after the draft and the window to talk with free agents opens.

But they will be all-in on him and they sure could use a guy like that.
— Rick Carpiniello (@RickCarpiniello) June 17, 2019

Rangers were never really in on Karlsson

Karlsson was linked to the Rangers as a possible free agent destination by many insiders just a few weeks ago. However, the 29 year old free agent was never really someone the Rangers were targeting. After the deal was signed with SJ, it was confirmed to me that getting into a bidding war for his services wasn’t a game they were going to play. As mentioned before, when it comes to defense the top priority is trading for Trouba.

Erik Karlsson got paid. Here’s what I think when I really look at it. The Sharks were the only team that could give him 8 years and they paid him because they gave up a lot to get him and just letting him walk wasn’t an option. Also, he was never really a target for the #NYR.
— Forever Blueshirts (@4EverBlueshirts) June 17, 2019

Pierre McGuire on TSN Montreal

Pierre McGuire claims the Rangers were upset they didn’t land Karlsson and make a bid on a significant RFA. He states they have a ton of cap space and they will be somehow getting rid of Shattenkirk and Smith to go after a guy like Mitch Marner.

Here’s the audio of him talking about it. pic.twitter.com/noTsJN2Hks
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) June 17, 2019

Based on what I’ve learned, the Rangers weren’t upset or really interested in Karlsson as I mentioned above. Does that negate the rest of Pierre’s sentiments here? Not sure because even Rick Carpiniello believes the Rangers are going to offer sheet Brayden Point.

Here’s the bottom line, I don’t think you can trade for Trouba, sign Artemi Panarin as Dreger suggests AND THEN make an offer sheet to an RFA. So someone has to be wrong, and I’m not betting against Dreger.

Cap Going Down Next Season?

Although not officially determined, the belief next years cap could be below $83 million has a number of teams nervous. Still have to get the business done as the Sharks are doing here. https://t.co/LMc2eU8vtI
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 17, 2019

Rangers Draft Prep

Rangers released a pretty cool video about the prepping for the draft and some of the inner workings. Cool story about Libor Hayek in there as well. Turns out that Hayek, Brett Howden, and Brendan Lemieux were all players they interviewed and wanted to draft but acquired eventually through trade.

"This year is very different having the 2nd overall pick."

It's #NYRDraft week! Take a look back at the NHL Combine and see how that plays a part in the #NYR strategy. pic.twitter.com/dCKAWOWg2f
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 17, 2019

By Anthony Scultore

Anthony Scultore has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL since 2014. His work also appears at... More about Anthony Scultore

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