New York Rangers
The Rangers Have a Card They Haven’t Played — and It Could Pay Off Big
Could the Rangers trade Vincent Trocheck? Analyze the potential trade value and what it means for the team moving forward.
The idea of the New York Rangers trading Vincent Trocheck might sound far-fetched at first glance, but recent analysis suggests that if the team ever went down that road, the return could be significant — potentially even greater than what they’d get for Artemi Panarin.
In a recent mailbag for The Athletic, Vincent Z. Mercogliano addressed a reader’s question about Trocheck’s trade value and why the Rangers would command a massive package if they ever made him available. While Mercogliano was clear there’s no indication New York is shopping Trocheck, there might be a solid reason to consider doing so.
Trocheck checks several high-demand boxes. He’s two years younger than Panarin, plays the coveted center position, and is signed for three more seasons at a team-friendly $5.625 million cap hit. That combination — age, position, and cost certainty — is gold in today’s NHL trade market.
Recent history supports that valuation. The scribe writes:
“A trade that caught a lot of people’s attention at last season’s deadline was the one that sent Brock Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche. In exchange for Nelson and fledgling prospect William Dufour (who’s since moved to Russia’s KHL), the New York Islanders received a top-10-protected first-rounder, a conditional third, center prospect Calum Ritchie and depth defenseman Oliver Kylington. It showed the value centers carry around the league, but it’s not even an apples-to-apples comparison.”
Another comparable is the Vegas Golden Knights’ acquisition of Tomáš Hertl from San Jose. Despite Hertl carrying a much higher cap hit and longer term, Vegas paid an unprotected first-round pick and a strong center prospect to get the deal done.
The Rangers Could Quite a Solid Return For Trocheck
Put together, those precedents suggest a Trocheck trade would start with a first-round pick and a quality prospect — and likely more. While Trocheck does hold a 12-team no-trade list, it’s far less restrictive than Panarin’s full no-movement clause.
If the Rangers ever decide to explore that option, the center market would be ready — and willing — to pay up.
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