The New York Rangers may not be mathematically out of the playoff hunt just yet, but sitting in last place in the Eastern Conference with 34 games to go, the writing is on the wall. The team isn’t throwing in the towel - they’re shifting gears.
On Friday, President and GM Chris Drury addressed fans directly, signaling a clear change in direction ahead of the NHL trade deadline. The message?
The Rangers are about to get active.
“With our position in the standings and injuries to key players this season, we must be honest and realistic about our situation,” Drury said in a public statement. “We are not going to stand pat - a shift will give us the ability to be smart and opportunistic as we retool the team… That may mean saying goodbye to players that have brought us and our fans great moments over the years.”
This isn’t a full-scale rebuild like the one the organization undertook in 2018. Drury made that clear.
It’s a retool - a more measured approach that keeps the core intact while shuffling the deck around them. The goal is to move a few pieces, collect some assets, and then look to reload this summer.
So who’s likely on the move? Let’s break down five names - and one bonus - that could be headed out of New York before the deadline.
1. Artemi Panarin
This one’s the headline. Artemi Panarin, the Rangers’ leading scorer, appears to be on his way out.
According to reports, Drury has already met with Panarin and informed him that the team won’t be re-signing him when his seven-year, $81.5 million contract expires at the end of the season. Instead, Drury has promised to work with Panarin and his agent to find a trade destination of his choosing.
This is a big move, but it’s also a logical one. Panarin is still producing - 16 goals and 51 points in 47 games - but at age 34, and with the team looking to the future, it doesn’t make sense to let him walk for nothing in the summer.
If the Rangers were in the thick of a playoff race, maybe you keep him. But given where they are, this is the smart play: move him now, get something back, and give him a chance to chase a Cup elsewhere.
2. Carson Soucy
Soucy won’t make headlines like Panarin, but he’s the kind of player contenders love to add at the deadline. A 31-year-old left-shot defenseman, Soucy has been steady this season - three goals, five assists, 16 penalty minutes, and a plus-5 rating - mostly playing second-pair minutes.
He’s in the final year of his contract, which makes him a classic rental. He won’t cost a team a fortune, and he can solidify the left side of a third pair. For the Rangers, it’s a chance to move a solid veteran and get a late-round pick or a prospect in return.
3. Brennan Othmann
Othmann’s name has been floating around trade talks all season. The 2021 first-round pick hasn’t generated much interest - at least not yet.
But there’s a glimmer of hope. Since the New Year, he’s picked up his play in Hartford and earned a call-up this week.
If he can show something at the NHL level - even just a goal or two - that might be enough to spark a team’s interest. His contract is expiring, and it’s hard to see the Rangers bringing him back next season.
He needs a fresh start, and the team needs to open up a spot for someone else. This is a classic change-of-scenery situation.
4. Jonny Brodzinski
A true utility guy, Brodzinski has been a reliable depth piece for the Rangers since signing in 2020. He’s bounced between Hartford and the big club over the past few seasons, serving as both a leader for the AHL squad and a plug-and-play option for the NHL roster.
At 32 and on an expiring deal, Brodzinski is the kind of player who could quietly help a contender. He can slot in anywhere in the bottom six, kill penalties, and bring a steady, veteran presence. If a team needs depth for a playoff push, he’s available.
5. Braden Schneider
Now here’s an interesting one. Schneider, a 24-year-old right-shot defenseman and former first-round pick, isn’t the kind of player you’d expect to be on the block during a retool. But his name is quietly in the mix.
He’s a pending restricted free agent, and while he’s been solid on the third pair, his performance has dipped when asked to take on bigger minutes - especially during stretches when Adam Fox has been injured. The Rangers aren’t actively shopping him, but if a team comes calling with a decent draft pick or a young forward in return, they might listen.
Bonus Name: Vincent Trocheck
Now, let’s talk about a player who’s not expected to move - but would draw plenty of interest if he were available. Vincent Trocheck checks a lot of boxes: right-handed center, strong on faceoffs, kills penalties, and carries a manageable $5.625 million AAV.
In other words, he’s exactly the kind of player contenders crave. But in a recent radio interview, Rangers owner James Dolan emphasized the importance of culture - and Trocheck is viewed as a key piece of the locker room identity the team is trying to build. Don’t expect him to go anywhere.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t a fire sale. It’s a strategic pivot.
The Rangers aren’t blowing it up, but they’re also not pretending this season is something it’s not. With the postseason looking unlikely, Drury is taking the long view - keeping the core intact, moving expiring contracts, and setting the table for a more competitive future.
The trade deadline is always a test of vision and discipline. For the Rangers, it’s a chance to recalibrate - not rebuild. And if they get it right, this retool could be the first step toward something bigger.