The New York Rangers are taking decisive steps to overhaul their roster, having traded former captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks on December 8.
Following another defeat—5-1 against the Los Angeles Kings—marking their ninth loss in 12 games, the Rangers’ playoff hopes continue to dwindle. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman has indicated that the team is “open for business.”
During the “Saturday Headlines” segment of Hockey Night in Canada, Friedman discussed the teams’ intentions leading up to the trade deadline, stating, “They’ve already traded Jacob Trouba and have communicated that Chris Kreider is also available. While they have some untouchables like Shesterkin, who was recently signed, they are open to considering various options. They are receptive to ideas and potential offers.”
By trading Trouba, the Rangers cleared $6.9 million in salary cap space without retaining any of his salary. Players such as Chris Kreider, Kaapo Kakko, Ryan Lindgren, and Reilly Smith may follow him out the door, as reported by The Fourth Period.
According to The Fourth Period, “The Rangers have made forwards Chris Kreider and Kaapo Kakko available, and there are teams interested in defenseman Ryan Lindgren, who is in the final year of his contract. Reilly Smith, acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins during the offseason, is also believed to be on the trading block.”
These moves may be necessary for the Rangers to shake up the team and try to recover their form in the standings.
“This is bad,” expressed head coach Peter Laviolette after Saturday’s loss. “Starting a game like that (down 5-0 in just 25 minutes) after recent performances in our arena is frustrating and disappointing.”
The Rangers began the season strong with an 8-2-1 record but have since slipped to 7-11-0. They now find themselves outside the Eastern Conference playoff race, trailing the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers for the final wildcard spot.
