Duclair was not on the ice for practice Thursday morning, two days after coach Patrick Roy ripped into him for lack of effort in a 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“This morning, Anthony and I had a very good conversation, a very positive one,” Roy told reporters after practice. “Anthony asked me to take some time off to reflect. So obviously I agreed to that, and we’ll give him all the time that he needs.”

The 29-year-old was minus-1 and played just 12:15 in the loss to the Lightning, the Islanders’ sixth straight. They are 32-32-10, five points out of the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot with eight games remaining, beginning Friday, when they host the Minnesota Wild.

Veteran Matt Martin, who hasn’t dressed since Jan. 16, is expected to take Duclair’s spot in the lineup and play on the fourth line, with Maxim Tsyplakov bumping up to the second line.

Roy and Duclair have a relationship that dates back to Duclair’s junior days, when he played under the Hall of Fame goaltender for two seasons with the Quebec Remparts. But that didn’t stop Roy from being critical (to say the least) of Duclair’s play after the loss to the Lightning.

“He was God-awful,” Roy said. “He had a bad game. That’s why I didn’t play him a lot. He is lucky to be in the lineup. Sorry if I lose it on him right now, but that’s just how I feel.

“He’s not skating, he’s not competing, he’s not moving his feet. He’s not playing up to what we expect from him … I think it’s an effort thing.”

Related: Why Gabe Perreault arrival is latest changing of guard for Rangers

2011 Rangers pick Anthony Duclair takes time away from Islanders

The Islanders signed Duclair to a four-year, $14 million ($3.5 million average annual value) contract last summer as an unrestricted free agent, but the signing hasn’t paid off. He has 11 points (seven goals, four assists) in 44 games and missed two months with a severe lower-body injury. Duclair is pointless in his past six games and had just two points in March.

In 607 NHL games with the Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, San Jose Sharks, Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks, Arizona Coyotes and the Rangers, he has 153 goals and 314 points.

Duclair was selected by the Rangers in the third round (No. 80 overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Blueshirts as a 19-year-old during the 2014-15 season, but his time on Broadway lasted all of 18 games. 

Later that season, Duclair was a part of the package that brought Keith Yandle to New York from the Coyotes. He’s has been a journeyman ever since – the Islanders are his ninth NHL team.

He made his only NHL All-Star Game with the Senators in 2019-20, finishing with 23 goals and 40 points in the pandemic-abbreviated season. He had his first and only 30-goal season in 2021-22, scoring 31 times to help the Panthers win the Presidents’ Trophy.

Duclair has a full no-trade clause in the first two years of his contract, according to Puckpedia, and a modified NTC in the second two, so it’s not like he’s going anywhere anytime soon. But with no guarantee that he’ll play again in 2024-25, it’s safe to say his first season on Long Island is an unmitigated failure.

After the New York Islanders were outclassed by the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-1 on home ice Tuesday night, coach Patrick Roy ripped into Duclair.

“He was God-awful,” Roy said after the loss. “He had a bad game. That’s why I didn’t play him a lot. And he’s lucky to be in the lineup. Sorry if I lose it on him right now, but that’s how I feel.”

Duclair recorded two shots on goal, blocked a shot and was credited with a hit in only 12:15 TOI. But Roy’s frustration with the struggling 29-year-old stems from his effort. 

“He’s not skating. He’s not competing. He’s not moving his feet,” Roy explained. “He’s not playing up to what we expect from him. I think it’s an effort thing.”

Duclair has undoubtedly struggled as of late; the Islanders’ big offseason free-agent pickup has not tallied a point in the past six games and posted two points in the entire month of March. His woes have been season-long — he missed time due to injury earlier in the season, but in 44 games the former 30-goal scorer has just seven goals and four assists.

Last summer, Duclair signed a $14 million contract to spend the next four years on Long Island. One year in, it’s looking like it’ll be a deal the Islanders regret.

Duclair’s disappointing season and recent poor play matches that of the team. Through 74 games, the Islanders have 74 points (32-32-10), five out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, with four teams in their way of getting there and the season quickly slipping away.

The Rangers’ archrival was in the thick of the playoff race not long ago, but six straight losses – the last four in regulation – have all but eliminated them from contention.

Related: Gabe Perreault set to ‘take next step’ and make NHL debut against Wild

Rangers draft pick turned journeyman struggling with latest team

Before bouncing around the League and eventually landing with the Islanders, Duclair was selected by the Rangers in the third round (No. 80 overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft. He made his debut at 19 years old with the Blueshirts in the 2014-15 season, but his career on Broadway only lasted 18 games. 

Later that season, Duclair was a part of the trade package that brought Keith Yandle to New York from the Arizona Coyotes. Duclair has been a journeyman ever since, playing for nine different teams during his NHL career.

He made his first NHL All-Star Game with the Ottawa Senators in 2019-20, scoring 23 goals and and finishing with 40 points in the pandemic-abbreviated season. Two years later with the Florida Panthers, he had his first and only 30-goal season (31 goals) on the team that won the Presidents’ Trophy in 2021-22.

It looked as if he finally found a long-term home when he inked his four-year deal with the Islanders. And maybe it will be, since Duclair has a no-trade clause in his contract. But right now he’s on the hot seat with his coach in the final days of his first season with the Islanders.

The injury is “more long term than short term at this point,” Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello told reporters Monday. The Islanders are still awaiting results on an MRI and x-rays and should have a further update Tuesday.

Duclair was injured in the third period of the Islanders’ 4-3 shootout win against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. The 29-year-old forward drove to the net and went down hard. He was helped off the ice by linemate Bo Horvat and a trainer, and appeared to favor his right leg.

Duclair signed a four-year, $14 million contract with the Islanders this past offseason. Playing on the top line with Horvat and Mathew Barzal, Duclair has two goals and one assist in five games. The Islanders (2-1-2) are tied with the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins for fourth place in the Metropolitan Division.

This is a major blow to the Rangers rival. The Islanders do not have a potent offense (14 goals this season) and Duclair seemingly was building solid chemistry on the top line. Duclair scored 24 goals with the San Jose Sharks and Tampa Bay Lightning last season and 31 with the Florida Panthers in 2021-22.

The Rangers (4-0-1) are two points behind the New Jersey Devils (who’ve played three more games) for first place in the Metropolitan Division. They are five points up on the Islanders and don’t play their rivals until Nov. 3 at Madison Square Garden.

Related: Rangers reaping benefits from Jeff Gorton’s final draft as GM in 2020

Former Rangers forward Anthony Duclair sustains lower-body injury for Islanders

Duclair was a third-round pick (No. 80 overall) by the Rangers in the 2013 NHL Draft. He played 18 games with the Rangers as a 19-year-old in 2014-15. The next season he was traded to the Arizona Coyotes as part of a package for defenseman Keith Yandle.

The speedy forward has 148 goals and 306 points in 568 games with nine NHL teams. He’s scored 20 or more goals four times.

He scored his first NHL goal with the Rangers on Oct. 27, 2014 against the Minnesota Wild.

Along with the Duclair news Monday, the Islanders also placed former Rangers forward Julien Gauthier on waivers.

Liam Foudy was recalled from Bridgeport of the American Hockey League on Tuesday to take Duclair’s roster spot. The 24-year-old is a former first-round pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2018 and has 102 games of NHL experience with them and the Nashville Predators.

Simon Holmstrom skated in Duclair’s spot with Barzal and Horvat at practice Monday.

The Islanders’ next game is Tuesday at home against the Detroit Red Wings.

Wennberg is a nice complementary player, a third-line center with the Blueshirts after being acquired from the Seattle Kraken before the 2024 NHL trade deadline. He plays smart and hard, and his professionalism will rub off on the Sharks youngsters, notably No. 1 overall pick Macklin Celebrini.

So, there is reason to like this signing for San Jose.

But at $5 million per season?

He’s topped 13 goals once (17 in 2020-21 with the Florida Panthers) in 10 NHL seasons, and showed zero scoring touch in 35 games with the Rangers (19 regular-season games, 16 postseason games) when he scored once on an actual shot and then once in overtime of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final when he went to the crease and the puck deflected off his chest and into the net.

He’s been give top-six minutes throughout his career and never done much with it. And he’s abysmal in the face-off circle, never winning at least 50 percent of his draws in a season. In 712 NHL games, Wennberg has a 46.2 percent face-off winning percentage.

His previous contract had a $4.5 million AAV, so, at 29, you can argue the veteran should get a raise. But really, based on what? By comparison, Reilly Smith, a Stanley Cup champion who’s thrived in the postseason throughout his career and has five 20-goal seasons and whom the Rangers acquired in a trade Monday, makes $5 million a season. a contract he signed two years ago at age 31.

Nonetheless, a good day for the Wennberg family, and for Barclay Goodrow, another former Rangers forward who’ll now have a familiar face to connect with in San Jose this season.

Related: Have Rangers found Barclay Goodrow replacement in NHL free agency?

Patrick Kane, Erik Gustafsson among former Rangers to sign contracts in free agency

Wennberg wasn’t the only former Rangers player to land on his feet when free agency started Monday.

Future Hall of Famer Patrick Kane never made it to the open market. The three-time Stanley Cup champion re-signed with the Detroit Red Wings on a one-year, $4 million contract with $2.5 million in bonuses. He reportedly had interest in a Rangers reunion, after playing with them after the 2023 trade deadline when he was hobbled by a hip injury that required surgery. But the Red Wings signed Kane before the Rangers had a chance to negotiate with him.

Erik Gustafsson will join Kane in Detroit after agreeing to a two-year, $4 million contract. The 32-year-old defenseman was a regular on the Rangers third pair this past season and moved up when Adam Fox missed 10 games in November with a knee injury. Gustafsson finished with 31 points (six goals, 25 assists) in his only season wearing the Blueshirt.

Another former Rangers player also signed with the Red Wings on Monday. Veteran goalie Cam Talbot, an NHL All-Star with the Los Angeles Kings last season, signed a two-year deal to play for his seventh team since the start of the 2018-19 season.

Reilly Smith’s brother, former Rangers defenseman Brendan Smith, left the New Jersey Devils to sign a one-year deal with the Dallas Stars.

Closer to home, former Rangers forward Anthony Duclair inked a four-year contract with the Islanders.

Midseason trade acquisition Jack Roslovic and offseason signing Blake Wheeler will both become unrestricted free agents July 1, and neither is expected to be brought back. Former No. 2 overall pick Kaapo Kakko is eligible for arbitration, and could be a trade chip this summer. That means the Rangers need to acquire at least one right wing, maybe two.

The ongoing search will be particularly pertinent after an Eastern Conference Final exit that saw the offense dry up and a lack of scoring on the right side outside of Alexis Lafreniere. That on top of a years-long experiment to find the right forward to plat he right side on the top line alongside Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, which continues to remain a massive question mark this offseason.

PuckPedia has the Rangers with the 11th-worst projected salary cap space at $12.45 million, which will likely put them out of the running for the headliners among unrestricted free agent forwards like Sam Reinhart and Jake Guentzel, unless a significant contract, like Jacob Trouba’s, is moved this summer, perhaps along with Kakko.

Prospects Brennan Othmann and Brett Berard will get a long look in training camp. Each is knocking on the NHL door, though either might start in a bottom-six role, meaning the Rangers would still need to target a more veteran right wing in the offseason. It would be risky to begin chasing the Stanley Cup next season with a rookie, even a first-rounder like Othmann, starting right away on the top line.

Still, general manager Chris Drury did say they would target all options, both internal and external, when he addressed the media on Friday.

Related: Where Rangers stand after NHL salary cap increases beyond expectations

Right-wing options for Rangers in free agency

With all that on the table, let’s take a look at some potential right-wing candidates with free agency starting in less than a month. Listed in alphabetical order.

Matt Duchene

The Dallas Stars signed Matt Duchene to a one-year, $3 million deal after the Nashville Predators bought out his seven-year, $56 million contract which was supposed to run through 2025-26. Duchene was well worth the value, scoring 25 goals to help Dallas to the best record in the Western Conference.

Now he’ll hit free agency again. He’ll be 34 years old next season, but has largely continued to produce in the back half of his career. He likely sees a jump up from the $3 million cap hit he had this past season, but by how much is the big question.

If he remains in a sub-$5 million range, it could be a fit for the New York Rangers the next few years.

He’s just two years removed from a 43-goal season and has scored 20-plus goals in each of the past three seasons. He’s a primary right winger with top-six experience, logging over 663 minutes in the regular season alongside Mason Marchment and Tyler Seguin. He also adds the ability to play down the middle, which he did for the majority of these playoffs. However, he scored only two goals in 19 postseason games this spring.

Again, not the biggest guy (5-foot-11, 195 pounds), but the Rangers could certainly use someone with his speed and scoring touch. It’s worth noting that 19 of his 25 goals this season came at even strength, an area the Blueshirts have struggled to excel in the past few years.

This would certainly be a needle-mover as he’d slot in on the top line immediately. Dallas would certainly like to keep him as well, so it’ll be curious to see where his AAV ends up.

Anthony Duclair

Anthony Duclair came up through the Rangers organization, debuting as a 19-year-old in the 2014-15 season. He played just 18 games and was subsequently traded to the Arizona Coyotes for Keith Yandle. He’s bounced around a lot in his 10-year career, playing for eight different teams, and will once again be available as his three-year deal comes to an end.

Duclair hit the books at an average annual value of $3 million on his most recent contract, the largest cap hit of his career. It’s hard to think he’ll make too much more than that after an up-and-down 2024 season that saw him struggle in 56 games with the San Jose Sharks before finding a spark after a trade to the Tampa Bay Lightning ahead of the deadline. He did finish with 24 goals combined.

That’s coming after a 2022-23 season when he logged just nine points in 20 regular-season games after tearing his Achilles tendon. He did, though, rebound to help the Florida Panthers reach the Stanley Cup Final last postseason, when he had 11 points in 20 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

That could translate to a fairly reasonable contract that the Rangers could afford, all while acquiring a player who still has plenty of upside to buy into.

Duclair scored a career-high 31 goals two seasons ago with Florida and is a four-time 20-goal scorer in the NHL. This postseason showed the Rangers could certainly use someone on the right side that has a scoring touch. And his speed would be a nice addition the Rangers lineup.

He’s not the biggest guy (5-foot-11, 197-pounds), which might be a detriment after the Rangers were outmuscled by the Panthers in the conference final, but he’s got plenty of speed and a hard shot. It could be worth a look if the contract is in range.

Danton Heinen

In a similar vein to Sprong, Danton Heinen could be a bottom-six target with potential to play on the top line if necessary.

Heinen posted 17 goals and 36 points in 74 games with the Boston Bruins, rejoining the team that drafted him after several seasons away.

The 28-year-old is primarily a left wing but has played on the right side throughout his career, including a stretch from 2018 to 2020 when he logged most of his minutes at right wing with the Bruins.

He grades out better defensively than Sprong and has gotten run on the top-six, mostly with Boston. In the 2018-19 season, he logged his most ice time to the right of Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. This year he logged over 184 minutes next to David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha.

If the Rangers are hoping to recapture the spark of Frank Vatrano, who found inspired success after seeing consistent top-line minutes next to Zibanejad and Kreider after the 2022 trade deadline, Heinen is a guy who has plsayref that role before and has some offensive upside.

Heinen returned to Boston on an incredibly team friendly one-year, $775,000 deal. He’ll certainly get a pay raise this offseason, but it should still be within the Rangers range

Daniel Sprong

The Rangers would love to nab a top wing this offseason, but there’s simply not many who fit that bill, are available and that they can afford as presently constituted. Daniel Sprong might not be a flashy add, it’s the type of move Drury could make if he wants to bolster the right side, particularly if Kakko moves up to the top line or isn’t coming back.

Sprong posted 18 goals and 43 points in 76 games with the Detroit Red Wings after a 21-goal season with the Seattle Kraken the season prior.

He’s not a great defensive forward, grading out poorly in every season outside of his final one in Seattle, but his offensive rating ranks in the 77th percentile over this most recent three-year span (per Evolving Hockey).

The Rangers third line of Will Cuylle, Alex Wennberg, and Kakko was excellent down the stretch at possessing the puck, but struggled to actually score. Filip Chytil centering that line for a full season, if healthy, will likely bolster the offensive production, but an add like Sprong could also help that unit generate more chances.

The 27-year-old has signed one-year deals with the Red Wings and Kraken each of the past two seasons with $2 million in AAV being his highest cap hit. He’ll likely command a similar value again this offseason, which the Rangers could fit if they wanted to try him on a one- or two-year deal.

Vladimir Tarasenko

Here’s another target for the Rangers, who also briefly played for them. Vladimir Tarasenko was solid but by no means other-worldly in his 31 games with the Blueshirts after being acquired ahead of the 2023 trade deadline, tallying eight goals and 21 points in 31 games. However, he did play consistently with Zibanejad and Kreider, and scored three goals in seven playoff games against the New Jersey Devils.

The Rangers had very little cap space last offseason and thus were unable to re-sign Tarasenko, despite him expressing desire to stay in New York.

"I like everything. I cannot say a single bad word about my time. I enjoyed everything."

Vladimir Tarasenko, who calls the Rangers "one of the top organizations in the league, if not the best," on his time in New York: pic.twitter.com/gsaiv02FrO

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) May 3, 2023

He ended up signing a one-year, $5 million contract with the Ottawa Senators, and now he’s in the Stanley Cup Final with the Panthers after a late-season trade. He scored one goal against the Rangers in the Eastern Conference Final, the series-winning goal in Game 6. And, of course, he’s a Stanley Cup champion, with the St. Louis Blues in 2019.

This season, the Rangers could have a bit more cap space to work with. If Tarasenko commands another $5 million AAV contract, it could be difficult to fit in, even with the cap going up $4.5 million this offseason. Plus, Tarasenko may be looking for one last long-term deal, which may not be a tree the Rangers want to crawl up with some noteworthy free agents on the horizon in the next few seasons.

However, if the 32-year-old remains in play for a short-term deal, it wouldn’t be a bad fit for the Rangers. He scored 23 goals with Florida and Ottawa this season, and has found success in the postseason on a very successful third line with Anton Lundell and Eutu Luostarinen.

His sharp shot and smooth hands would add a playmaking element that the Rangers lack on the right side outside of Lafreniere. He also has scored 297 goals in the NHL, including 34 just two seasons ago with the Blues.

The 28-year-old forward exploded with four points for the San Jose Sharks in their 7-6 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday. Duclair scored two power-play goals, each giving the Sharks a lead at the time (1-0 and 4-3), and two even-strength assists.

“To me that was Anthony Duclair letting everyone know that if you don’t think I can help you, I can help you,” hockey insider Elliotte Friedman said on Sirius/XM’s NHL Network Radio on Wednesday.

“I thought that was a big statement game from Anthony Duclair [Tuesday] night.”

Anthony Duclair kicks off the scoring early with a great shot on the tic tac toe power play setup!#SJSharks pic.twitter.com/oZwTmz5rBi

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) March 6, 2024

Friedman had previously stated there wasn’t much interest around the League in the pending UFA and other available Sharks forwards closing in on the deadline. And that’s why he’s impressed with Duclair’s response recently.

Related: Projecting moves Rangers will make ahead of trade deadline

Rangers trade option Anthony Duclair getting hot before deadline

Duclair is on a heater. He has five goals and eight points in his past four games, which also includes a three-point game against the Anaheim Ducks on Feb. 29.

“I don’t know how much interest there is, but I’ll say this, Duclair is aware of this perception and he had a huge game [Tuesday] night,” Friedman explained.

Being able to elevate his game brings to light some good and some bad with Duclair. The good is what the former 30-goal scorer is capable of offensively. The bad is that he has struggled on a very bad team most of this season.

But checking off another box in the positive column is Duclair’s distaste for losing, which he displayed after San Jose blew a three-goal third-period lead in its loss to Dallas.

“I’d feel more comfortable (with the Sharks) if we started winning some games,” he said.

Remember that Duclair did play some of his best hockey last spring, when he had 11 points (four goals, seven assists) helping the Florida Panthers reach the Stanley Cup Final, where they lost in five games to the Vegas Golden Knights.

So, there’s enough there to intrigue the Rangers, who seek a top-line right wing to play alongside Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. 

There doesn’t seem to be much debate that the Rangers are heavily pursuing Ducks forward Frank Vatrano to fill that spot. But if the price is too high or a deal doesn’t work out, Duclair definitely could be an option. And a more affordable one, at that.

Forever Blueshirts lists Duclair No. 4 on its updated Rangers trade board.

Duclair was a third-round pick by the Rangers in 2013 and played 18 games with them in 2014-15 before being traded to the Arizona Coyotes in the Keith Yandle deal. He’s bounced around the League, now on his seventh team, and has 138 goals and 288 points in 546 games.

With his recent surge, Duclair has 16 goals and 27 points in 56 games. And may have caught the Blueshirts’ attention with his recent surge.

As you can imagine, there’s been plenty of trade rumors over the last month, but the closer we get to the deadline, the more that noise gets louder.

Here’s the latest surrounding the Blueshirts.

Related: Rangers getting physical before trade deadline

New York Rangers Rumors

Since losing Chytil back in early November, there’s been a lot questions on what Drury would do to fill that slot at 3C. Of course, the team was holding out hope the 24-year-old would return, but a setback in January made addressing that hole a top priority.

“It’s a really tough situation. You never want to see a teammate and friend go down like that,” Vincent Trocheck told Forever Blueshirts at the All-Star Game. “It’s scary to see him going through what he has. Obviously, from a hockey perspective, we miss him. But at this point, none of us are really worried about that. All we can do is hope that he’s alright.”

One name that’s bubbled up to the surface is Anaheim Ducks center Adam Henrique, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Another entering the mix is Philadelphia Flyers pivot Scott Laughton. Of the two, Henrique makes the most sense, especially since Laughton has term left on his deal and the Flyers look playoff bound.

Priorities have reportedly changed thanks to the adequate play of Jonny Brodzinski on the third-line. Brodzsinki just signed a two-year extension, so he’ll be sticking around in some capacity moving forward. Wheeler’s injury on Feb. 15 weakened the right wing position, that was already thin to begin with.

The Rangers have recently sent scouts to watch the Ducks, San Jose Sharks, Nashville Predators, Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators, and Seattle Kraken.

Three wingers that were likely being viewed with binoculars and continue to remain prominent trade targets are Frank Vatrano (ANA), Anthony Duclair (SJS), and Vladimir Tarasenko (OTT). However, NY Post’s Larry Brooks states that center Alex Wennberg (SEA) has been identified as an option for the Blueshirts.

According to Arthur Staple of The Athletic, the Rangers have already placed calls to Seattle about Wennberg and Yanni Gourde. The latter would be a very interesting add, because he has term left on his deal, and would likely spell the end to a current roster player next season. That being said, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman has already poured cold water on the idea that the Kraken are trading Gourde.

Additionally, names like center Casey Mittlestadt (BUF) and former Rangers winger Pavel Buchnevich (STL) were mentioned.

Mittlestadt, 25, has 44 points in 56 games this season. Come July 1, he’ll be a restricted free agent, and it’s possible the Sabres aren’t sure they can come to terms. If the Rangers were to acquire him, it would absolutely take a first-round pick for starters, and likely mean the end for Filip Chytil on Broadway.

As for a Buchnevich reunion? I don’t think so.

Let’s not forget, Drury didn’t want to extend him and traded him away to the Blues for next to nothing as one of his first acts as GM. And when Buchnevich made his first appearance at the Garden, they posted a three second ‘Thank You’ video on the Jumbotron.

At least that was more than what longtime medical trainer Jim Ramsay got when he returned with the Montreal Canadiens this month.

There’s no doubt that the Rangers are going to make at least one trade, possibly more by the deadline. Drury would love to add a top-six right wing, plus some depth at center and defense for a hopefully long playoff run.

Artemi Panarin’s emotional game-winner just ten seconds into overtime should give them extra juice against the visiting Dallas Stars on Tuesday night. As we await word on defenseman Ryan Lindgren, who took a stick near his eye in the third period and missed the rally, we know the Blueshirts will be without Filip Chytil and Blake Wheeler for the rest of the season.

Let’s dive into some of the latest trade rumors concerning the Rangers.

Rangers Rumors: Scouting the San Jose Sharks closely

After losing Blake Wheeler in last Thursday’s 7-4 win over the Montreal Canadiens, the Rangers have had scouts at the last two San Jose Sharks games.

Per Max Miller, the Rangers took in San Jose’s contest against the Calgary Flames followed by their tilt versus the Columbus Blue Jackets on Feb. 17th. If the Rangers also have a scout for Monday’s matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights, something could be really brewing between these two clubs.

The industry rumblings have the Rangers targeting pending UFA winger Anthony Duclair. This season, the 28-year-old has posted 11 goals and 19 points in 49 games. Not exactly noteworthy numbers, but he’s playing for a very bad Sharks team. Given better linemates, he could find his 2021-22 form, where he registered 31 goals with the Florida Panthers.

What makes Duclair a likely target over more high-profile names like Vladimir Tarasenko, is the cost to acquire him may be no higher than a second-round pick or a mid-level prospect. Additionally, his cap hit of $3M AAV is a lot easier to fit into their own cap situation without requiring San Jose to retain a lot of his salary, if any at all.

Diving into the Scott Laughton rumors

One new name that has entered the chat is Philadelphia Flyers center Scott Laughton. The 29-year-old has registered 25 points (7 goals, 18 assists) in 56 games to date. He also has two more years remaining on his contract at $3M AAV.

I don’t know about you, but despite Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman seeing a potential fit with the Rangers, it doesn’t add up for me.

First off, the Rangers and Flyers are divisional rivals that could meet in this year’s postseason. That being said, Laughton would make a nice third-line center, but what happens when Chytil returns next season? And while there’s uncertainty surrounding Chytil’s future, he announced his intent to return after this latest suspected concussion.

A recent article in The Athletic suggested the starting point to acquire Laughton would be the Rangers first-round pick in the 2024 draft. If not that pick, Kaapo Kakko is another trade chip.

Does a player that’s highest point total in an NHL season of 43 really warrant giving up Kakko or a first-round pick? That’s going to be a no from me, and I’m pretty sure the Rangers.

Yes, Laughton is rumored to be available, but I don’t see the Rangers going after him.

According to Shawn Hutcheon, Blueshirts scouts were present for the Kraken game against the Bruins. Meanwhile, per Max Miller, New York sent a scout to take in the Flames and Sharks tilt.

With Blake Wheeler suffering what appears to be a serious lower-body injury in the Rangers 7-4 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, the Rangers may be expediting their timeframe to make a trade.

Related: Rangers look within for bottom-six fix

New York Rangers scouting sellers

The Rangers have already called up forward Matt Rempe in the wake of Wheeler’s injury with an update expected today.

“It was tough for Blake,” a very somber Peter Laviolette said. “We’ll evaluate it and address it tomorrow. He’s a veteran player that came here for a reason. You see something like that and it’s tough.”

Wheeler, 37, was hurt with nine minutes remaining in the opening period, trying to play the puck along the boards before being hit by Montreal defenseman Jayden Struble. The force of the contact drove him back with his right ankle bending awkwardly underneath his own weight.

This now weakens an already thin right wing, and may forcegeneral manager Chris Drury to prioritize that need over a third-line center after losing Filip Chytil for the season.

Based on that information, Sharks’ right wing Anthony Duclair stands out as a player scouts would be watching. Same for Jordan Eberle of the Kraken. Looking at the Flames, they don’t really have a forward for the Rangers to target, but do have five pending UFA defensemen which could be a small deal for depth.

Looking at Forever Blueshirts’ Trade Board, here’s where Duclair and Eberle rank.

7. Anthony Duclair – F – San Jose Sharks

“The Duke” is an intriguing option alongside Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. He brings speed and scoring ability, plus he had 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 20 playoff games in 2023 with the Florida Panthers. He has only nine goals this season playing for the miserable Sharks, but had 31 just two seasons ago before getting hurt. The former Rangers forward can be a UFA at the end of the season and makes $3 million.

5. Jordan Eberle – F – Seattle Kraken

The 33-year-old’s production is on the rise after a slow start and he’s an eight-time 20-goal scorer. If you believe Zibanejad and Kreider can unlock something with Eberle, then you figure out a way to get the Kraken to retain 50 percent of the pending UFA’s $5.5 million cap hit and get a deal done.

On January 9th, Sportsnet came out with 25 trade candidates less than two months before the March 8th trade deadline. Among this list are several players that could be a great fit for the Rangers as they gear up for a deep playoff run. With lingering injuries and inconsistent play throughout the line-up as of late, a move might just happen sooner than later.

New York Rangers trade targets

Here are four players from the 25-candidate list who fit the bill:

Elias Lindholm – Center

One of the best two-way forwards in the league right now, Elias Lindholm could bring a lot of value to the Rangers lineup. With Chytil still on LTIR, New York’s depth has been hurting at the center position. This season, Lindholm has recorded 26 points (8G-18A) in 41 games. In his last two seasons, he logged 64 and 82 points, respectively. A player like Lindholm will not only add some scoring, but will bolster their defensive play as well. He is great in the face off circle as well. Another center with a face off percentage above 55% would be great for the Rangers.

In addition, Lindholm can be used in all situations. This season in Calgary, he has been on both the power play and penalty kill units. What really makes this deal enticing is that he is affordable. While certainly due for a raise after this season, Lindholm’s current contract only carries an AAV of $4.85 million. With a piece or two heading the other way, there is no doubt that Drury could make this happen.

Anthony Duclair – Right Wing

Another player in the final year of their contract that is likely to be on the move is Anthony Duclair. His numbers are down this season, with just 14 points (7G-7A) in 37 games. That being said, San Jose is a struggling team all around this season. It is also important to remember that Duclair was a big piece of the Florida Panthers run to the Stanley Cup Final last season. In 20 playoff games, he recorded 11 points (4G-7A).

Duclair plays with a lot of speed, and it is possible that he can find his scoring touch once again if he is paired with more talented players. He would be a welcome addition to the Rangers and provide some much-needed depth on the right wing. In addition, his cap hit of $3 million is very affordable. Of all the players available, a reunion with “The Duke” is not out of the question.

Adam Henrique – Center/Wing

We can all remember the call of Doc Emerick when Adam Henrique scored against the Rangers and sent the New Jersey Devils to the Stanley Cup Final in 2012. Since then, Henrique has not seen many playoff games. Four, to be exact. This is a veteran forward who is hungry for a chance at a Stanley Cup. With 21 points (10G-11A) in 39 games this season, the 14-year veteran can still produce offensively. He can play in all situations and provide solid depth to New York’s forward group.

With the Anaheim Ducks in a rebuild, Henrique is a prime candidate to be shipped off to a contender. What makes trading for him more enticing is that he will be a low-cost, low-risk player. Not in terms of contract, but in terms of what Drury will have to forfeit to get him. With an AAV of $5.825 million, he is slightly more expensive than the other candidates on this list. However, the Rangers will not have to give up nearly as much in terms of players and picks.

Sean Monahan – Center/Wing

As one of the cheapest options available in terms of contract, Sean Monahan could be a potential fit for the Rangers. He is another low-cost, low-risk player who has been having a solid season with the Montreal Canadiens. With 23 points (10G-13A), Monahan would provide scoring and depth to the Rangers as he has experience at all forward positions. Slotting him on the right wing is the likely outcome, but knowing that he can step into a third-line center role is also a valuable factor.

Speaking of value, Monahan’s cap hit of only $1.985 makes him very affordable. If needed, Drury should have no problem making this deal work. Getting a solid player to provide secondary scoring at such an affordable cost is exactly what the Rangers need as they gear up for a deep playoff run.

The cards are in Chris Drury’s hands. As the Blueshirts work through a bit of a rough patch, the trade deadline continues to approach. One thing is for certain: moves will be made. There are many areas that need to be addressed. We’ve seen Drury play salary cap limbo before, and it is very likely that he will do it again.

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