The New York Rangers were dealt a significant setback on Sunday, placing star defenseman Adam Fox on long-term injured reserve (LTIR). Officially, the team is calling it a week-to-week situation, but the reality is that LTIR means Fox will miss at least 10 games or 24 days - and possibly much more. For a Rangers team that’s been cruising near the top of the Eastern Conference, losing their top defenseman for an extended stretch is no small blow.
Fox is the engine that drives the Rangers' blue line. He quarterbacks the power play, logs heavy minutes in all situations, and brings a calm, cerebral presence to the back end.
There’s no easy way to replace that kind of impact. But if his absence stretches into late December or beyond, New York may have to explore the trade market - not just for a stopgap, but for someone who can help keep their momentum going.
Here’s a look at three potential trade targets who could fill the void if the Rangers decide to make a move.
1. Rasmus Andersson - Calgary Flames
Rasmus Andersson has been floating in trade rumors for much of the season, and for good reason. He’s a top-four defenseman with offensive upside and a physical edge - the kind of player who could slide into a major role quickly. Calgary may not be eager to move him, but with the Flames on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture, they could be convinced if the offer is right.
Andersson’s contract situation adds another layer of intrigue. He’s an impending unrestricted free agent, so Calgary has a decision to make: re-sign him, or risk losing him for nothing.
If New York gets clarity that Fox will be out for a while, they’ll have the cap flexibility to make a deal like this work. Andersson wouldn’t just be a band-aid - he’d be a legitimate contributor on both ends of the ice.
2. Morgan Rielly - Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto’s season has been a rollercoaster, and the noise around their roster has only gotten louder. After a dominant 7-2 win over Pittsburgh, there’s still hope north of the border, but the whispers suggest that nearly everyone could be on the table in trade talks - and that includes Morgan Rielly.
Rielly isn’t Adam Fox - few are - but he brings a similar style of play: smooth skating, strong puck movement, and the ability to generate offense from the back end. He’s under contract, so this wouldn’t be a short-term rental, and that means the cost would be steep. But if the Maple Leafs are truly open to shaking things up, Rielly could be a name worth watching.
For the Rangers, adding Rielly would be a bold move - one that signals they’re not just trying to survive Fox’s absence, but keep pushing for the top of the Metropolitan Division.
3. Mario Ferraro - San Jose Sharks
Don’t let the Sharks’ modest improvement this season fool you - they’re still in the early stages of a rebuild. That makes someone like Mario Ferraro a fascinating trade chip.
He’s young, he’s mobile, and he’s been logging big minutes on a team that’s asked a lot of him defensively. He’s also an impending UFA, which means San Jose could look to move him for future assets.
Ferraro wouldn’t just be a short-term fix for New York. He’s the kind of player who could stick around and play a meaningful role even after Fox returns.
The Rangers have been looking for more offense from the blue line beyond Fox and K’Andre Miller, and Ferraro has shown flashes that he can contribute in that area. He’s not a power-play quarterback, but he can move the puck and jump into the rush when needed.
If the Sharks are willing to listen, Ferraro could be a smart long-term investment - not just a patch to get them through December.
The Bigger Picture
Right now, the Rangers are in wait-and-see mode. If Fox’s recovery keeps him out for just a few weeks, GM Chris Drury may decide to hold the line and trust the depth they’ve built internally. But if the timeline stretches - or if the team starts to stumble without their top blueliner - the pressure to make a move will grow.
This is a team with Stanley Cup aspirations. And while no one can replace Adam Fox outright, finding someone who can help shoulder the load could be the difference between staying near the top of the standings or slipping in a competitive Eastern Conference.
The clock is ticking. And the next few weeks could shape how aggressive the Rangers get on the trade market.