After two weeks of thrilling hockey action, the New York Rangers find themselves at a crossroads with 25 games left in the season. The focus has shifted from playoff hopes to a strategic retooling, as the team aims to get younger and faster.
With Artemi Panarin already moved, Vincent Trocheck's future hangs in the balance. While he's expected to be in the lineup tonight, the question looms: should the Rangers sit Trocheck to preserve his trade value?
Trocheck recently showcased his skills with a stellar performance at the Olympics, playing a key role in Team USA's flawless penalty kill while staying injury-free. This raises the dilemma: does benching him affect his trade allure?
General Manager Chris Drury has a history of making bold moves, sometimes prematurely. The Pavel Buchnevich trade, the tunnel vision on Will Borgen, and the pre-Olympics Panarin deal are all examples where timing and strategy were questioned.
If Trocheck is benched, it might signal to the league that a trade is imminent, potentially leading to lower offers due to perceived leverage loss. We've seen this play out with Panarin, but Trocheck's situation differs slightly.
With a 12-team no-trade list, the Rangers have more flexibility in finding the right deal. Teams like Minnesota, Detroit, and a cap-cleared Colorado are in the mix, keeping competition alive for his services.
The risk of injury is a valid concern. Trocheck, while not injury-prone, plays significant minutes and is over 30.
The physical nature of hockey means one wrong hit could derail plans. Protecting him from injury might outweigh concerns about trade package leverage.
Ultimately, whether the Rangers choose to sit Trocheck might not significantly impact his trade value at this stage. With just a week and four games until the trade deadline, keeping him healthy could be the priority.
However, Trocheck's recent gold medal win and consistent play during the break add another layer to the decision. The team must balance avoiding rust with fielding their strongest lineup.
After all, players are wired to compete and win, regardless of the circumstances.