Wednesday marked a significant turning point for the New York Rangers, who traded Kaapo Kakko shortly after sending longtime captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks. This series of moves suggests the potential conclusion of an era in New York.
The current roster could undergo substantial changes as General Manager Chris Drury appears to be preparing for a major shake-up. Recently, Drury cleared approximately $10.4 million in cap space by trading both Kakko and Trouba, who had reached an impasse with the organization; Kakko expressed his frustration about being a healthy scratch, while Trouba resigned to his fate weeks earlier.
Elliotte Friedman reports that the team is looking to revamp its lineup, which raises the possibility of additional key players being traded soon.
The Rangers, currently sitting sixth in the Metropolitan Division with a 15-15-1 record, are far from the team that won the Presidents’ Trophy last season. Their recent performance has been poor, evidenced by their goalie Igor Shesterkin being frequently overwhelmed, conceding 10 goals in the last three games.
For a team that aspires to be a Stanley Cup contender, this is a troubling situation. Unlike the Edmonton Oilers, who excelled in their comeback to reach the Stanley Cup Final last season, the Rangers seem to be faltering.
Drury appears to be in a hurry to initiate a retooling of the roster. With a roster freeze kicking in on Friday and lasting until December 27, he may have to wait until after the holidays to make further moves. By then, the Rangers will have $20.8 million in cap space and hold first-round draft picks for 2025, 2026, and 2027.
So, how soon can we anticipate at least one or two of those picks being traded?
