The New York Rangers have already signaled an aggressive approach to reshaping their roster after moving former team captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks in a trade completed on Dec. 8.
As their season keeps spiraling further out of playoff contention following another loss, 5–1 to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday—their ninth defeat in the past 12 games—Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the Rangers are “open for business.”
Speaking on the "Saturday Headlines" segment of Hockey Night in Canada, Friedman revealed the current mindset in New York regarding their plans from now to the trade deadline.
"The Rangers are open for business,” Friedman said. "They’ve already traded Jacob Trouba. They’ve let it be known that Chris Kreider is available. They have some untouchables like Shesterkin, who they just signed, and there are no-move clauses.
"But I think they’re willing to consider all options. They want to hear ideas people have, and they’re listening to what could be out there for them."
By moving Trouba to the Ducks, the Rangers opened a full $6.9 million in cap space as they didn't retain any salary.
Now, players like Chris Kreider, Kaapo Kakko, Ryan Lindgren, and Reilly Smith could be next in line to leave New York as reported by The Fourth Period.
"The Rangers have already made forwards Chris Kreider and Kaapo Kakko available, while sources have told TFP there are clubs interested in defenceman Ryan Lindgren, who is in the final year of his contract," The Fourth Period reported on Saturday. "Reilly Smith, whom the Rangers acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins in the off-season, is in the final year of his contract and is also believed to be available for trade."
In fairness, making moves is the very least the Rangers can do to shake things up in a desperate attempt to regain form and climb up the standings.
“This is bad,” head coach Peter Laviolette said after Saturday’s loss. “To start a game like that (down 5-0 through 25 minutes) after some of the games we’ve had in our building… it’s frustrating and disappointing.”
New York started the season strong with an 8-2-1 record but the Rangers have gone 7-11-0 after that. They have fallen outside of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, trailing the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers for the final wildcard spot.
