The Winter Olympics are wrapping up with the highly anticipated hockey gold medal showdown between the USA and Canada. With the Olympics concluding, the New York Rangers are bracing themselves to face the realities of their challenging 2025-26 season.
The NHL's roster freeze lifts at midnight, reigniting the trade buzz that will continue until the March 6 deadline. Players are on edge, wondering about their futures.
Fourth-line center Sam Carrick shared, "With the deadline coming up, we'll see what happens. We're proud to be Rangers and committed to putting a product on the ice that fans can be proud of."
Carrick's name has been mentioned in trade talks as GM Chris Drury aims to "retool" the team. The Rangers have already moved key players like Artemi Panarin and Carson Soucy before the freeze, and speculation is rife about Vincent Trocheck, who’s starring in the gold medal game for Team USA.
Trocheck isn't the only potential trade piece. Braden Schneider, a promising 24-year-old defenseman, is in the final year of his contract and could attract interest as a restricted free agent this summer. Depth forward Jonny Brodzinski and veteran goalie Jonathan Quick are also in the last year of their deals and might fetch valuable assets in return.
Schneider, a former first-round pick, has had a challenging season, stepping up due to Adam Fox's injuries. "My focus is on improving and supporting my teammates," he said. "What happens is out of my control, but I can control my effort and attitude."
Carrick, no stranger to trades, having been moved twice before, remains unfazed. "I've been through it enough to know it's mostly noise," he commented. "My focus is on playing for the Rangers and helping the team win."
Quick, a Connecticut native and lifelong Rangers fan, has been a reliable backup to Igor Shesterkin. When asked about waiving his no-trade clause, he stated, "I plan on honoring my contract."
Meanwhile, defenseman Urho Vaakanainen, who missed out on Finland's Olympic roster, still cheered for his national team. "It's a bit strange watching, but I'm a fan," he said. Since returning to the lineup, he's contributed steadily, aiming to finish the season strong.
In other notes, Mika Zibanejad was absent from practice after Sweden's Olympic exit, taking a well-deserved day off. With an impending snowstorm, the Rangers adjusted their practice schedule, and Quick left practice early due to a precautionary lower-body concern.