Could the Rangers and Oilers Be Trade Partners? Here’s What New York Has That Edmonton Might Want
The New York Rangers have already made waves ahead of the March 6 trade deadline, shipping out two notable names in separate deals. Artemi Panarin, their top winger, is now a Los Angeles King, and defenseman Carson Soucy was moved across town to the Islanders. But don’t expect the Rangers to be done just yet.
There’s still plenty of time before the deadline, and with the Edmonton Oilers looking to patch some holes in their lineup, the Rangers could be a team worth watching. Edmonton’s needs are clear, and New York has a few intriguing pieces that could help.
Let’s break it down.
What the Oilers Need
The Oilers are in a playoff spot, but they haven’t looked like the juggernaut that made back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances. Earlier this season, they tried to shore up their goaltending, but that move hasn’t delivered the stability they hoped for.
Defensively, it’s been a struggle. Edmonton has been giving up far too many high-danger chances, and their bottom six forwards haven’t provided much support. Heading into the final stretch, the Oilers are in the market for three things:
- A winger who can move up and down the lineup
- A right-shot center for the third line
- A right-shot defenseman
The Rangers, even after their recent moves, might be able to help on all three fronts.
Vincent Trocheck: A Third-Line Anchor With Bite
If the Oilers want to solidify their third line with a proven, playoff-tested pivot, Vincent Trocheck is a name to circle. The 32-year-old Pittsburgh native is having a quietly strong season, with 12 goals and 36 points in 43 games. That projects to around 68 points over a full season-among the better outputs of his career.
But Trocheck brings more than just offense. He’s winning faceoffs at a 56.5% clip this season and has hovered around 54% for his career.
He kills penalties, plays with a physical edge, and brings the kind of versatility that coaches love in the postseason. He’s not just a plug-and-play center-he’s a tone-setter.
Contract-wise, Trocheck carries a manageable $5.625 million cap hit through 2028-29. The catch?
He has a 12-team no-trade list, and according to reports, he prefers to stay in the Eastern Conference. That could complicate things, but if Edmonton’s interest is serious, it’s a conversation worth having.
Alexis Lafrenière: High Ceiling, High Risk
Alexis Lafrenière’s name always sparks debate. The former No. 1 overall pick hasn’t quite exploded the way some expected, but he’s still a productive NHL player.
His best season came in 2023-24, when he scored 28 goals and 57 points. This year, he’s on pace for 46 points-solid numbers, though not quite star-level production.
Lafrenière’s contract is a big swing: $7.45 million annually through 2031-32, with an eight-team no-trade clause kicking in after the 2026-27 season. That’s a long-term commitment for a player who, while still young, hasn’t fully lived up to his draft pedigree.
Still, if the Oilers are looking for a winger who can grow into a top-six role and add skill to the lineup, Lafrenière is an intriguing option. He’s not a rental-he’s a long-term bet.
Braden Schneider: A Right-Shot Blueliner With Upside
If there’s one area Edmonton absolutely needs to address, it’s the blue line-and specifically, the right side. That’s where Braden Schneider enters the conversation.
At 24, Schneider is still developing, but he’s logged significant NHL minutes and can play both sides of the ice. This season, he has two goals and 11 points in 57 games. That’s a step back from his 21-point campaign last year, and his underlying numbers haven’t been particularly strong-his expected goals percentage at five-on-five sits below 44%.
But there’s potential here. Schneider has the size, skating, and physicality that teams covet in playoff hockey. He’s under contract for $2.2 million this season and will be a restricted free agent this summer, giving any acquiring team some control over his future.
If the Oilers want to invest in a young defenseman who could grow into a top-four role, Schneider is worth a look.
Jonathan Quick: Not a Fit for Edmonton
Let’s be clear-goaltending is not where the Oilers need help right now. They already made a move earlier in the season, and while the results haven’t been perfect, they’re not likely to double down.
Jonathan Quick, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, is nearing the end of his career. At 40 years old, he’s posted an .890 save percentage and a 3.10 goals-against average in 20 games this season. His $1.55 million cap hit is affordable, but this isn’t the version of Quick that dominated in the early 2010s.
The Rangers might move him, but Edmonton isn’t the destination.
What’s Next?
The Rangers have already made bold moves, and they might not be finished. With the Oilers looking to fine-tune their roster for a deep playoff run, there’s a potential match here.
Trocheck fits the mold of a playoff-ready third-line center. Lafrenière is a high-upside gamble on the wing.
Schneider could be a long-term solution on the blue line. Each comes with pros and cons, but all three could be part of a serious deadline discussion.
As the March 6 deadline approaches, keep an eye on these two teams. There’s a foundation for a deal-now it’s just a matter of whether the front offices want to make the next move.