With the Olympic break offering a natural pause in the grind of the NHL season, the New York Rangers find themselves at a crossroads. They're not quite in full rebuild territory, but it’s hard to call this a simple retool either.
The team has talent, yes-but not enough consistency, not enough identity, and not enough cap flexibility to make a real push. That puts the onus squarely on general manager Chris Drury to chart a course forward.
And if he’s serious about steering this ship in the right direction, there are some tough-but necessary-moves on the table.
1. Trading Vincent Trocheck: A Tough Pill, But the Right One
Let’s get this out of the way: moving Vincent Trocheck won’t be easy. He’s been one of the Rangers' most reliable players, logging tough minutes, producing offensively, and playing with the kind of edge that coaches love.
He’s also on a contract that, in the current cap landscape, looks more like a bargain than a burden. That’s exactly why he’s such a valuable trade chip.
If the Rangers were a piece or two away from contending, Trocheck would be untouchable. But they’re not.
And that’s why this move makes sense. Teams gunning for the Cup are always in the market for a top-six center who can win faceoffs, kill penalties, and chip in 50-60 points a year.
Trocheck checks every one of those boxes-and he’s signed for two more years. That kind of control boosts his value significantly.
Think about it this way: if Brock Nelson’s recent trade to Colorado is any indication, the Rangers could be looking at a return that includes a legitimate prospect and a first-round pick-at minimum. With Trocheck’s contract and skill set, the return could be even better. It’s the kind of deal that could accelerate the Rangers’ transition and stock the cupboard with the kind of young, controllable talent they desperately need.
2. Trading Braden Schneider: A Hard Reset on the Blue Line
This one’s going to sting, too-maybe even more than Trocheck. Braden Schneider was supposed to be part of the Rangers’ long-term defensive core.
But three seasons in, it’s clear he hasn’t quite hit the ceiling many projected for him. He’s been solid, sure.
But solid isn’t enough when you’re trying to reshape a roster and every dollar matters.
Schneider is due for a new contract this offseason, and he’s likely to command a significant raise. The question is: has his play warranted that kind of investment?
The honest answer is no. And the Rangers can’t afford to fall back into the habit of overpaying for depth players who don’t move the needle.
That’s the kind of cap mismanagement that got them into this murky middle in the first place.
The good news? Schneider still has real value around the league.
He’s young, playoff-tested, and plays a premium position. There are plenty of teams that would love to add a right-shot defenseman with his pedigree.
Packaging him in a deal could bring back a strong return-perhaps a top-six forward prospect or a high draft pick. Either way, it’s an opportunity the Rangers should explore.
3. Take On a Bad Contract (Yes, Really)
Here’s a strategy that might not sound glamorous but could pay major dividends: weaponize the cap space.
If the Rangers do move Trocheck-and even if they don’t-they’re going to have some financial flexibility. Instead of letting that cap space sit idle, they should look to use it as leverage. Teams like the Vegas Golden Knights or Tampa Bay Lightning, who are constantly dancing on the edge of the salary cap, could be willing to pay a premium to offload a bad deal.
This is a play the Rangers have been on the wrong side of in the past-remember the Marc Staal and Patrik Nemeth moves? This time, they should flip the script.
Take on a bloated contract along with a high pick or a quality prospect. It’s a smart, forward-thinking move that doesn’t cost you anything in the short term and builds long-term capital.
In a cap world, flexibility is currency. And the Rangers have a chance to spend it wisely.
The Bottom Line
The Rangers are in a strange spot. They’re not bottoming out, but they’re not contending either.
That gray area is the most dangerous place to be in the NHL-it’s where teams linger for years without making real progress. If Chris Drury wants to avoid that fate, he has to make bold, proactive decisions.
Trading Vincent Trocheck and Braden Schneider won’t be popular in the short term, but they’re the kind of moves that can reset the foundation. Pair that with smart cap management-like taking on a bad contract for future assets-and suddenly the path forward doesn’t look so murky.
The Olympic break gives the Rangers a moment to breathe. What they do with that breath could define the next five years of the franchise.