However, the list of players the Rangers thought would be available this summer is dwindling.

New York Rangers center options dwindling

Elliotte Friedman revealed that the Rangers made a “reasonable offer” the Sabres considered but ultimately declined, The internet went wild, with all kinds of trade proposals. Some hockey experts like ESPN’s John Buccigross even suggested packaging Kaapo Kakko, Filip Chytil, Braden Schneider, a goalie and a first round pick to get it done.

After discussing the notion with a knowledgeable source, no team would give what amounts to four or five first round picks for any player not named Connor McDavid. Plus, the team also believed there would be several other options available.

If the Sabres can get better than that, so be it. That’s because the Rangers feel that Eichel isn’t the only center that will be available this summer. Names expected to be shopped are Aleksander Barkov, Evgeni Malkin, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Dylan Larkin, and possibly Sidney Crosby.

Forever Blueshirts 3/4/21

Since the time of that article (which was prior to the NHL trade deadline), many things have changed. Of the seven names mentioned above only three are confirmed available this summer. The list has dwindled considerably.

Which centers are available?

The thought that the Panthers will trade Aleksander Barkov this summer is highly unlikely. They will make every effort to sign him to an extension before the next trade deadline. There also isn’t any indication he’s looking to leave Florida anyway.

Steve Yzerman closed the door on any thoughts of Detroit trading Dylan Larkin as soon as the season ended. Meanwhile, Ron Hextall said he wants to bring Evgeni Malkin and the core back for next year in his end-of-season presser.

That leaves Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in free agency, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Jack Eichel. There’s rumors that Sean Monahan could be made available this summer, but nothing really concrete.

Breaking down the Rangers options

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is 28 years-old and scored 35 points in 52 games this season as a winger. Many teams believe he could make the transition back to the middle with ease. However, his face-off winning percentage is a putrid 44%. So you aren’t getting him for that facet of his game.

He is also coming off a deal that paid him $6 million AAV. As a UFA, Ryan will be looking for a 7 year deal on the open market and an increase in the $7.5 to $8.5 million range. Does he really fit what the team is looking to do, and how effective will he be just three years into this deal? And the final question, is he that much of an upgrade over Strome? If anything, RNH feels more like a fallback option.

One of the top players on the Capitals that’s been subject to trade talks is Evgeny Kuznetsov. “I think we’re always open to trading people if it makes sense for what’s going on,” MacLellan commented during his exit presser.

Everyone needs to understand that the 29 year-old with three years remaining at $7.8 million AAV and a 15 team no move clause, comes with a buyer beware sign on him. The Caps may be looking for cap space, but there’s other ways for them to get it. It’s been reported that they have run out of patience with his antics. Kuznetsov was disciplined several times this season by the organization.

Jack Eichel remains the most likely and viable option

When you look at who is left, Jack Eichel is clearly the best option for the Rangers if they are targeting another top six center.

Depending on Jack Eichel’s neck issue being resolved, Drury will likely pull the trigger on a blockbuster deal involving the #15 pick in the lottery. That would also give the Sabres two picks in the first half of a deep draft.

Buffalo’s GM Kevyn Adams recently updated the situation on Eichel’s injury. He indicated the rehab time is up and the next step will be to talk with doctors. More to come on this situation over the following few days.

“It’s hard for me to answer that question because I need to speak with Jack’s agents and Jack himself and just kind of understand where they’re at,” Adams said. “Everybody agreed that the 12-week rehab was the first step in this process, so now I don’t have the information to say to you, ‘Here’s where we go from here.’

The Athletic

Eichel checks all the boxes if healthy. He’s an elite center, and is insurance if the Rangers and Mika Zibanejad fail to come to an extension before the NHL trade deadline next season. He’s the perfect age at 24 to grow with this young ensemble cast. And while the Rangers interest has cooled, it could heat up easily with positive news on his injury.

Latest NHL Rumors

Alain Vigneault may have chased off another youngster and Mitch Marner not being traded. Read more.

Elliotte Friedman appeared on Sportsnet 960 radio in Calgary and said that things have gone sideways between the two parties. “Something happened here. I believe it was always the plan that Nugent-Hopkins was going to stay and they wanted to keep him,” he said. “I think anyone who is familiar with this situation will tell you they thought it was going to happen and it got mangled. And now I don’t know.”

Rangers should consider Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

“I think I’ve said it from the start, I love being an Oiler, I always have,” Nugent-Hopkins said Tuesday. “My goal is always to stay an Oiler, and right now at this point, (free agency) is not really in my mind. Right now, I have a lot more in my head than that, so it’s tough to kind of think about that and get my thoughts wrapped around that. I think I’ve said it from Day 1, I love being an Oiler and it’s something that I’ve taken a lot of pride in the last 10 years.”

Edmonton Journal

The 28 year-old scored 35 points in 52 games this season. Many teams like the New York Rangers believe he could make the transition back to the middle with ease. However, his face-off winning percentage is a putrid 44%. So you aren’t getting him for that facet of his game. The Blue Jackets are another team looking at him as a possible free agent signing.

RNH is also coming off a deal that paid him $6 million AAV. He will be looking for a 7 year deal on the open market and an increase in the $7.5 to $8.5 million range for sure. If the Oilers do re-sign him, they are likely to get a hometown discount, but like many teams that won’t happen until after the expansion draft. Free agency starts on July 28.

Mike Sullivan a possible coaching candidate if fired

Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan has had an incredible run in Pittsburgh. Over the course of the last six seasons he’s amassed a record of 251-131-43 with two Stanley Cup Championships. But after their recent first round exit, some believe he could be on the hot seat.

Two main reasons he may be replaced have a lot to do with the new guys in charge, Brian Burke and Ron Hextall. First off, Sullivan isn’t their hire and secondly, they want a little more grit in the lineup. One of the chief complaints of the Penguins is that they’ve been a little too easy to play against over the last few seasons. Mike Sullivan prefers a more skill oriented lineup.

Burke is on the record as saying him and Sullivan might have different ideas about what wins. The oft-referenced quote, uttered to the Post-Gazette just before the trade deadline, went like this: “I’m a big fan of not going to a gunfight with a knife. So Sully and I will have to thrash that out at some point.”

Joe Starkey, Post-Gazette

The jury is still out if a move is going to come down in Pittsburgh with regards to coaching. If the Penguins were to do it, this is the time with candidates like Gerard Gallant, Rick Tocchet, and John Tortorella available. That being said, the Blueshirts should immediately consider Sullivan for their own coaching search.

NHL rumors – how trading Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to the Rangers can help the Oilers sign Taylor Hall

The Edmonton Oilers have $11 million dollars in cap space and are in need of a left wing to play with Connor McDavid. The rumor mill is churning and it may make sense for them to bring home a player they never should have traded in Taylor Hall.

The former Hart Trophy winner in 2018 is an unrestricted free agent who never wanted out of Edmonton. McDavid’s former winger could make a triumphant return at around a cap hit of $8-9 million AAV this summer.

Of course, the Oilers need to fill out a roster and $2-3 million isn’t going to get it done. The Rangers are interested in acquiring a second line center, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins fits the bill. Currently he is a 3rd at the center depth chart behind McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

If the Rangers can figure out the right package to acquire the 27 year-old from Edmonton with an AAV of $6 million for one more season, they should do it. It may cost the Rangers a player like Pavel Buchnevich or Filip Chytil but it can be worked out.

Maybe the Rangers can get Marc Staal to waive his clause and be part of that deal as well with salary retention. Bottom line is that this is something that should be and likely will be explored after the playoffs.

For more on this, click the link or the article below.

Mike Milbury steps down

Earlier I wrote about Sean Avery lobbying NBC for Mike Milbury’s job after his disparaging comments about women being a distraction. Now we are learning that Milbury has stepped down from his role at NBC.

The full story can be found at The Daily Goal Horn as well.

I will address that later, but first let’s talk about a clue Jeff Gorton dropped yesterday.

New York Rangers rumors have them center hunting

During his post lottery presser, the Rangers GM was asked if winning the Alexis Lafreniere raffle will force him to find veteran help down the middle. “It might,” Gorton began. “If I went on this call and told you all our holes it probably doesn’t help me out with what we need to do on the market when I make calls.”

The candid GM is absolutely correct, but he did also acknowledge that it is going to be a need. However, there are no good centers on the free agent market worth signing, which brings me back to looking at Edmonton’s Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

The 26 year-old center was on pace for a career year. With 61 points in 65 games he was just 9 points shy of beating his previous career high of 69 points set last season. In Edmonton’s qualifying round loss to Chicago, he netted 8 points in four games.

Nugent-Hopkins is entering his prime at the same time he’s going into the final year of a deal with a $6M AAV. If the Oilers don’t believe they can extend him, then they would be forced to trade him as rental come next trade deadline. That means the Oilers will at least listen to offers at the draft for him, just like the Rangers were talking about Kreider with the Avalanche in 2019.

Maybe a deal involving their 2nd first round pick this year and some of their RFA’s and/or prospects could get the ball rolling at the draft.

Will the Rangers trade their first overall pick since 1965?

It wasn’t even 5 minutes before trade rumors started coming out that the Rangers in need of centers would possibly attempt to acquire Jack Eichel or Auston Matthews with it. Then there was trading it to Ottawa for both their first round picks at 3 and 5.

Let me make it clear, I spoke to several sources close to the Rangers and they are over the moon about winning the pick. And although they won’t commit to picking Alexis Lafreniere publicly, that is exactly who they are taking.

From a logical standpoint, with the cap flat at $81.5 million for the next few years, why would the Rangers move a cost controlled phenom for a $10 million center? It’s a rhetorical question because they wouldn’t.

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Andersson for Puljujarvi

Lias Andersson hurt his value when he bolted the Rangers AHL affiliate earlier this season. However, sources told me Edmonton really liked what they saw from the Rangers former first round pick, 7th overall with HV71 in the SHL. This is sparking talk that at some point both the Rangers and Oilers will revisit this trade at the draft.

Edmonton is said to be looking for a 1st round pick for the disgruntled former #4 pick overall. Could the Rangers trade the Oilers Lias Andersson and their second 1st round pick (23rd overall) for Jesse Puljujarvi and another mid level prospect? Or will NJ swoop in and give up one of their 3 first round picks (6, 10, and 17) for the big scoring winger? We could find out soon if the NHL does go forward with a June draft.

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Gunning for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

While there will be some big names on the free agent market this summer, the one possible top UFA, Taylor Hall would cost way too much in cap space to land. Add to the fact he’s better suited at LW where the Rangers already have Artemi Panarin and Chris Kreider, it makes less sense. However, there is a player who will be of major interest as he is entering the final season of his contract. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will be a UFA in the summer of 2021 and headed to become the biggest rental at next season’s trade deadline. He is a player the Rangers should try and acquire as soon as the off-season for 2020 begins.

The 26 year old center was on pace for a career year. With 61 points in 65 games he was just 9 points shy of beating his previous career high of 69 points set last season. Nugent-Hopkins is entering his prime at the same time he’s going into the final year of a deal with a $6M AAV. If the Oilers don’t believe they can extend him, then they would be forced to trade him as rental come next trade deadline.

The End for Henrik Lundqvist with the Rangers

The phrase “the writing is on the wall” is so overused in sports because it fits so well in these situations. Henrik Lundqvist, the man who has backstopped this Rangers franchise with honor and grace for the last 15 seasons is now in essence a 3rd string goalie, who was serving as an honorary backup before Igor Shesterkin fractured a rib in a car accident.

Henrik Lundqvist opened up in the wake of the NHL Trade Deadline that he wants to speak with management about his future. He was honest with the Rangers about his desire to remain through the rebuild and they were happy to have him. John Davidson called Henrik Lundqvist a pro for how he is handling a very difficult situation. The team’s President should know better than anyone having been a goalie in the NHL what this feels like. Henrik realizes that this could be the end for him in NY. When the season concludes he wants to know what his role is and if it really is a fit. Of course as he told media, is it “something else”?

While this is what I like to call educated speculation, it is just that until it happens. One possible “something else” is a buyout, but that is the least likely outcome because it only saves them $3M on the cap and comes with a penalty of over 1M the year after. The scenario most expect would be waiving his NMC and getting traded to another team for one last shot as a starter and the playoffs. The Rangers would need to eat 50% of his 8.5M to make it happen and regain $4.25M to the cap. Now if the NHL reintroduces a compliance buyout, the Rangers would almost assuredly use it on Lundqvist and gain the full cap relief.

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Should the Rangers go for Nugent-Hopkins?

When a reader asked Larry Brooks the question about RNH, here was his response.

The Blueshirts surely will seek to bulk up down the middle and could be in the market for a second-line pivot depending upon Ryan Strome’s contract status and the staff’s opinion of Filip Chytil’s readiness to assume that responsibility. Tony DeAngelo could be the bait. But though the talented Nugent-Hopkins would fit nicely, he has only one year remaining on his contract and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent after next season, so the answer is no on RNH.

Larry Brooks

Why We Say Yes

The 26 year old center was on pace for a career year. With 61 points in 65 games he was just 9 points shy of beating his previous career high of 69 points set last season. Nugent-Hopkins is entering his prime at the same time he’s going into the final year of a deal with a $6M AAV. If the Oilers don’t believe they can extend him, then they would be forced to trade him as rental come next trade deadline. That means the Oilers will at least listen to offers at the draft for him, just like the Rangers were talking about Kreider with the Avalanche in 2019.

So why should the Rangers go after him? As much as Strome has been a revelation, Nugent-Hopkin has been a more consistent offensive force down the middle. Are you still struggling with the idea? Let me lay it out differently. Imagine your top two lines next season being the following:

Kreider – Zibanejad – Buchnevich
Panarin – Nugent-Hopkins – Kakko

Is it starting to excite you? Let me expand the vision.

What about Strome?

Here’s the beauty of it, if you think Strome will cost too much, you can trade him and replace him with Nugent-Hopkins. However, Strome can also play wing which means you could have a scoring third line. That combo could feature either him or Filip Chytil at center and Vitali Kravtsov on the right wing. Does that sound like three great lines going forward? Of course, you need to give to get and the Rangers would have to dip into their deep talent pool to do it.

The Trade

Remember great rentals cost 1st round picks and this summer the Rangers have 2, after trading Skjei to Carolina. Jeff Gorton needs to play this very deftly and move not only that pick but also the right players from the team. Here’s two possibilities that might get Edmonton to bite:

• EDM sends Nugent-Hopkins to NYR for 1st round pick (lottery protected), Lias Andersson, and Matthew Robertson 
• EDM sends Nugent-Hopkins and Jesse Puljujarvi to NYR for 1st round pick (lottery protected), Brett Howden, Lias Andersson, and Matthew Robertson 

The inclusion of defenseman Matthew Robertson is tough to add but he plays for the Oil Kings and is someone they probably see often. While the Oilers are contenders, the can actually rebuild for the future on the fly with one of those two deals. Of course, there could be some other mixing and matching of players/and or prospects but continuing down that rabbit hole will be guessing at best.

I get it this is big early thinking and some others would say dreaming, but rumblings around the Rangers is that this summer is going to be a game changer. The signal was sent at the deadline when they extended Kreider and opted not to trade Jesper Fast that they are moving towards contention. While they could try and pick up a mid level UFA, making hockey deals is what John Davidson and Jeff Gorton plan on this summer. This would be some hockey deal.

Note: Article first published 3/7/20

Why Nugent-Hopkins?

The 26 year old center is on pace for a career year. With 59 points in 62 games he is just 11 points shy of beating his previous career high of 69 points set last season. Nugent-Hopkins is entering his prime at the same time he’s going into the final year of a deal with a $6M AAV. If the Oilers don’t believe they can extend him, then they would be forced to trade him as rental come next trade deadline. That means the Oilers will at least listen to offers at the draft for him, just like the Rangers were talking about Kreider with the Avalanche in 2019.

So why should the Rangers go after him? As much as Strome has been a revelation, Nugent-Hopkin has been a more consistent offensive force down the middle. Are you still struggling with the idea? Let me lay it out differently. Imagine your top two lines next season being the following:

Kreider – Zibanejad – Buchnevich
Panarin – Nugent-Hopkins – Kakko

Is it starting to excite you? Let me expand the vision.

What about Strome?

Here’s the beauty of it, if you think Strome will cost too much, you can trade him and replace him with Nugent-Hopkins. However, Strome can also play wing which means you could have a scoring third line. That combo could feature either him or Filip Chytil at center and Vitali Kravtsov on the right wing. Does that sound like three great lines going forward? Of course, you need to give to get and the Rangers would have to dip into their deep talent pool to do it.

The Trade

Remember great rentals cost 1st round picks and this summer the Rangers have 2, after trading Skjei to Carolina. Jeff Gorton needs to play this very deftly and move not only that pick but also the right players from the team. Here’s two possibilities that might get Edmonton to bite:

• EDM sends Nugent-Hopkins to NYR for 1st round pick (lottery protected), Lias Andersson, and Matthew Robertson
• EDM sends Nugent-Hopkins and Jesse Puljujarvi to NYR for 1st round pick (lottery protected), Brett Howden, Lias Andersson, and Matthew Robertson

The inclusion of defenseman Matthew Robertson is tough to add but he plays for the Oil Kings and is someone they probably see often. While the Oilers are contenders, the can actually rebuild for the future on the fly with one of those two deals. Of course, there could be some other mixing and matching of players/and or prospects but continuing down that rabbit hole will be guessing at best.

I get it this is big early thinking and some others would say dreaming, but rumblings around the Rangers is that this summer is going to be a game changer. The signal was sent at the deadline when they extended Kreider and opted not to trade Jesper Fast that they are moving towards contention. While they could try and pick up a mid level UFA, making hockey deals is what John Davidson and Jeff Gorton plan on this summer. This would be some hockey deal.

Editor’s Note: At the start of this season, we discussed a Nugent-Hopkins trade as well here.

Why Nugent-Hopkins?

The 26 year old center is on pace for a career year. With 59 points in 62 games he is just 11 points shy of beating his previous career high of 69 points set last season. Nugent-Hopkins is entering his prime at the same time he’s going into the final year of a deal with a $6M AAV. If the Oilers don’t believe they can extend him, then they would be forced to trade him as rental come next trade deadline. That means the Oilers will at least listen to offers at the draft for him, just like the Rangers were talking about Kreider with the Avalanche in 2019.

So why should the Rangers go after him? As much as Strome has been a revelation, Nugent-Hopkin has been a more consistent offensive force down the middle. Are you still struggling with the idea? Let me lay it out differently. Imagine your top two lines next season being the following:

Kreider – Zibanejad – Buchnevich
Panarin – Nugent-Hopkins – Kakko

Is it starting to excite you? Let me expand the vision.

What about Strome?

Here’s the beauty of it, if you think Strome will cost too much, you can trade him and replace him with Nugent-Hopkins. However, Strome can also play wing which means you could have a scoring third line. That combo could feature either him or Filip Chytil at center and Vitali Kravtsov on the right wing. Does that sound like three great lines going forward? Of course, you need to give to get and the Rangers would have to dip into their deep talent pool to do it.

The Trade

Remember great rentals cost 1st round picks and this summer the Rangers have 2, after trading Skjei to Carolina. Jeff Gorton needs to play this very deftly and move not only that pick but also the right players from the team. Here’s two possibilities that might get Edmonton to bite:

• EDM sends Nugent-Hopkins to NYR for 1st round pick (lottery protected), Lias Andersson, and Matthew Robertson
• EDM sends Nugent-Hopkins and Jesse Puljujarvi to NYR for 1st round pick (lottery protected), Brett Howden, Lias Andersson, and Matthew Robertson

The inclusion of defenseman Matthew Robertson is tough to add but he plays for the Oil Kings and is someone they probably see often. While the Oilers are contenders, the can actually rebuild for the future on the fly with one of those two deals. Of course, there could be some other mixing and matching of players/and or prospects but continuing down that rabbit hole will be guessing at best.

I get it this is big early thinking and some others would say dreaming, but rumblings around the Rangers is that this summer is going to be a game changer. The signal was sent at the deadline when they extended Kreider and opted not to trade Jesper Fast that they are moving towards contention. While they could try and pick up a mid level UFA, making hockey deals is what John Davidson and Jeff Gorton plan on this summer. This would be some hockey deal.

Editor’s Note: At the start of this season, we discussed a Nugent-Hopkins trade as well here.

Mark this date on your calendar New York Rangers fans: July 1, 2020. The start of free agency in the NHL…AFTER next season.

Why bring it up? Well, we know the likes of Vitali Kravtsov and Igor Shestyorkin could be with the big club next season but we can’t be sure Artemi Panarin will sign as a UFA. So if the Rangers do miss in 2019, who should Jeff Gorton and company have their eyes on?

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

The now-25-year-old has somewhat flown under the radar these last couple years in Edmonton, as any player would if they played with Connor McDavid. The versatile forward is on pace to have a career year across the board this season, which is impressive considering the dumpster fire surrounding the Oilers organization.

This potential pickup by the Rangers would have an immediate impact, as he can play center or the wing and will surely be apart of the power play unit. His 2019-20 cap hit is a firm $6 million, as you could expect a longer-term contract in the summer of 2020 with a small raise in order. At just 27 by the time he becomes a free agent and his play consistently getting better year in and year out, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is an option the Rangers should take a look at come the 2020 offseason.

Mike Hoffman

The consistent winger had a decent amount of success in Ottawa, averaging 58 points per season over the course of four years. After some interesting developments that led to his departure from the Senators organization (no need to go into detail), Hoffman is on pace to set career highs in all categories across the board in his first year with the Florida Panthers.

The top-line forward and power play threat had his name thrown around in some trade rumors this year, but nothing fully developed, which makes you wonder if there’s a character problem surrounding Hoffman. One way or another, the man is an offensive weapon.

The speedster has a taste for the back of the net, as he’s scored over 20 goals in each season since 2014, and will surpass 30 this year. Hoffman has a cap hit a shade over $5 million in 2019-20, and will get a raise when this contract is up, but he’s certainly someone the Rangers could look at to fill a top-six spot in their lineup.

Justin Faulk

A guy who has been linked to the Rangers in the past, the now 26-year-old may be on his way out of Carolina due to the log jam on the back end. Between Justin Faulk, Brett Pesce, Dougie Hamilton, Jacob Slavin, and Calvin de Haan, the Carolina Hurricanes are spending over a quarter of the team entire cap on these five guys.

That might force the hand of the newly-nicknamed “Jerks” to potentially trade or let some of their guys walk. Faulk has solidified himself as a strong defenseman with a decent amount of offensive power, as he’s scored over 30 points in each season since 2013 and one point away from 50 in 2014-15. Faulk is just the type of guy you can see in a Rangers jersey, and he shouldn’t carry an enormous cap hit, either.

Tyson Barrie

The dynamic top-tier defenseman’s contract is up in 2020, but this one will carry more weight. With a current cap hit of $5.5 million, Barrie has only impressed year after year. He’s tallied over 50 points twice in his career and is on pace to do so a third time this year. With his best year coming last season, as he scored 14 goals with 43 assists in 68 games. Although it may be difficult to persuade a guy like Barrie away from the only team he’s played for since coming into the league in 2011, it’s nice to think how Barrie would look on the back end in New York.

Whether any of these guys coming to the Rangers could be a reality, we’ll have to wait and see. But all of these game-changers are consistent players I can see the Rangers taking a look at a year from now.

Last night on the Hockey Night In Canada broadcast, Elliotte Friedman mentioned that the Oilers would be interested in Chris Kreider. This coming off the heels of rumors that the Montreal Canadiens could be looking at him also.Kreider is a really interesting name for Edmonton but how are they getting him? He won’t be cheap. He shouldn’t be cheap.

— Travis Yost (@travisyost) October 29, 2017

Why Kreider?

The 26 year old Chris Kreider has all the tools in the world except one, consistency. He drives fans mad because they see the potential but are far too often rewarded with no show nights and boneheaded penalties.

Last season was a career best for Kreider, notching 28 goals and 53 points in 75 games. Coming off that kind of year, expectations were high but thus far he has 2 goals and 5 points in 12 games.

The Oilers are looking for scoring on the wings and have a plethora of centers to deal which the Rangers need. A deal between these two teams appears to make sense from that standpoint.

Who from Edmonton?

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins name comes up immediately. The 24 year old center has already played 6 seasons in the NHL but has been a disappointment since Connor McDavid came on the scene. After posting back to back 56 point campaigns and 34 points in 55 games, RNH dropped to just 43 in 82 last year.

The good news is that he has 4 goals and 6 points in 10 games this season. A change of scenery and more playing time in NY might be a huge lift for him. The bad news is he makes 6 million a season and the Rangers would likely need to make a minor move to fit him in.

Another less expensive and far less interesting player is Ryan Strome. The center is 24 years old and makes much less than RNH at $832K. He also produces a lot less. However, the move would add over $3M in cap space and could be a precursor for another move for a center.

Is There A Real Possibility Here?

Friedman sounded more speculative than anything last night, so at this time let’s say no. However, Kreider continues to be the most mentioned roster player in the rumor mill so him being traded has some real smoke here.