Rangers Expect Bigger Return After Holding Off on Deadline Trade

The New York Rangers could have traded Vincent Trocheck at the NHL trade deadline, but they opted not to. With offers not reaching their ask (a reportedly high one), they opted to hang onto the forward when most thought it was a given he would be dealt. That doesn’t mean a trade isn’t coming. It just means the Rangers are banking they can get more in return this offseason.

---

According to Elliotte Friedman, “With the cap going up and the free-agent class shrinking, teams believe term will become even more valuable for trade targets. That’s one of the reasons the Rangers didn’t move Vincent Trocheck. Maybe someone wouldn’t pay the price this month, but how about this summer? That’s their bet.”

When asked recently how management handled the trade deadline and how they approached him on everything that was discussed, Trocheck noted, “Yeah, I mean Chris handled it as good as he could have for a situation like that. Wherever my name is in the media trade deadline looming, he talked to me throughout it all. He was very open and honest about everything. He kept me in the loop the whole time, so he made it a lot easier on me throughout.”

Expect the Rangers and Trocheck to Keep Talking Trade

One can only expect that, as the Rangers finish off the season and roll into the NHL draft, trade discussions with other teams are likely to continue, and GM Chris Drury will be sure to keep Trocheck in the loop. In some respects, he has no choice. Trocheck has a 12-team no-trade list as part of the protection in his contract, and that continues into the summer. He’ll have some say over where he winds up, assuming the Rangers do ultimately get the asking price they’re looking for.

If the offseason provides the Rangers will more options, because teams are running out of viable centers to go after, one would assume that the team and the player will have choices.

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Laine Trade? Matthews Surgery, and Pucks