Four Missed Swings: The Star Power That Slipped Through the Rangers' Fingers
The New York Rangers are staring down a retool, not because the cupboard is bare, but because it’s missing something essential-superstar firepower. Sure, Igor Shesterkin remains one of the league’s top goaltenders, and Adam Fox is a Norris-caliber defenseman.
But in today’s NHL, elite goaltending and a dynamic blue-liner can only take you so far without game-breaking talent up front. With Artemi Panarin no longer in the fold, the Rangers simply don’t have that one offensive force who keeps opposing coaches up at night.
Over the past few years, several superstar-caliber players have hit the trade market. And while general manager Chris Drury’s name often surfaced in the rumor mill, he ultimately came up empty-handed. Let’s take a closer look at four high-impact players the Rangers pursued-but couldn’t land-and how those near-misses have shaped where the franchise stands today.
Jack Eichel - 2021 Offseason: The One That Got Away
When the Jack Eichel saga in Buffalo reached its boiling point, it wasn’t just a trade request-it was a full-on organizational standoff. Eichel, a consistent 25-30 goal scorer with elite playmaking ability, wanted to undergo a specific surgery the Sabres wouldn’t approve. That dispute opened the door for a blockbuster trade, and the Rangers were one of the teams circling.
At that time, New York was emerging from a rebuild with a deep pool of prospects and young players. Adding Eichel to a center group that already included Mika Zibanejad would’ve given the Rangers a 1-2 punch down the middle that few teams could match. It was the kind of move that could’ve fast-tracked the team’s contention window.
But a deal never materialized. Whether it was Drury’s reluctance to part with key assets or Buffalo’s hesitation to send Eichel within the conference, the trade didn’t get across the line.
Instead, Eichel landed in Vegas-and the rest is history. He helped the Golden Knights hoist the Stanley Cup in 2023, validating his superstar status and leaving the Rangers to wonder what could’ve been.
Matthew Tkachuk - 2022 Offseason: The Culture-Changer
Coming off a 40-goal season as part of Calgary’s dominant top line, Matthew Tkachuk looked like the kind of player you build a franchise around. But after Johnny Gaudreau bolted for Columbus in free agency, Tkachuk informed the Flames he wasn’t signing long-term. Calgary had no choice but to explore trade options.
This was a golden opportunity. The Rangers had just made a deep playoff run to the Eastern Conference Final and still held onto their top prospects. Adding a gritty, high-skill winger like Tkachuk-who brings edge, leadership, and elite production-could’ve taken them from contender to Cup favorite.
Instead, Tkachuk went to Florida, where he’s been nothing short of transformational. He’s led the Panthers to three straight Stanley Cup Final appearances and helped deliver two championships. That’s the kind of impact player the Rangers have lacked in recent years-a tone-setter who elevates everyone around him.
J.T. Miller - 2022 Trade Deadline: The One That Came Too Late
J.T. Miller is a familiar face in New York, but his return in 2025 came years after the Rangers first had him in their sights.
Back in 2022, Miller was a prime trade candidate as the Vancouver Canucks looked to shake things up. He was still in his prime and producing at a high level, and the Rangers were playoff-bound, looking for reinforcements.
Reports at the time suggested that the sticking point in trade talks was Braden Schneider. Drury didn’t want to include the young defenseman in the deal, and as a result, the Rangers missed their window. Ironically, when they finally did acquire Miller three years later, he was older, more expensive, and the roster around him was in decline.
Looking back, 2022 was the moment to strike. Miller could’ve slotted into the middle six and added scoring depth and veteran presence to a team ready to make noise. Instead, the opportunity slipped through the cracks.
Jake Guentzel - 2024 Trade Deadline: The One That Could’ve Made the Difference
Fast forward to the 2024 trade deadline. The Rangers were once again among the league’s elite, and Jake Guentzel was available.
Pittsburgh, entering a rebuild, was ready to move on from their top winger before he hit free agency. New York needed a top-six scorer, and Guentzel was the perfect fit-proven playoff performer, goal scorer, and someone who could thrive alongside their existing core.
The Rangers were reportedly neck-and-neck with the Hurricanes in trade talks, but the deal never came together. Drury was hesitant to part with Kaapo Kakko, Brennan Othmann, and a first-round pick.
In hindsight, that package would’ve been a bargain. Kakko was traded less than a year later, and Othmann has yet to establish himself at the NHL level.
Guentzel ended up in Carolina, and the Rangers-despite another strong playoff push-were bounced in the Eastern Conference Final. Their offense dried up when it mattered most, and Guentzel might’ve been the difference.
That was the moment to go all-in. Instead, the chips stayed on the table.
The Fallout: A Team Caught in the Middle
Now, the Rangers find themselves in a tough spot. They’ve got aging veterans on hefty contracts and a group of prospects who haven’t developed into difference-makers. Shesterkin and Fox are still elite, but they can’t carry the load alone-especially not in a league where every contender has at least one offensive superstar, and often two or three.
The missed opportunities to land Eichel, Tkachuk, Miller (in his prime), and Guentzel weren’t just individual missteps-they were moments that could’ve altered the trajectory of the franchise. Drury had chances to swing big, and for various reasons, he held back. Now, the Rangers are left trying to retool without the kind of elite talent that separates the good teams from the great ones.
Superstars don’t hit the market often. When they do, it’s up to front offices to make bold moves that can change everything.
The Rangers had those chances. They just didn’t take them.