The New York Rangers are officially open for business ahead of the March 6 NHL Trade Deadline, and the rest of the league is already circling. With the front office signaling a willingness to sell, expect the rumor mill to heat up fast-especially around names like Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, and Alexis Lafreniere.
Let’s start with Lafreniere, the former No. 1 overall pick who continues to be one of the most intriguing pieces in this unfolding story. According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Rangers are likely to hang on to the 24-year-old forward-for now. And there’s good reason for that.
Trading a top pick like Lafreniere isn’t just about moving a player-it’s about managing perception. Teams around the league will try to downplay his value, pointing to inconsistency or unmet expectations.
But from the Rangers’ perspective, this is still a player with top-tier pedigree and flashes of high-end production. As Friedman put it, the Rangers would rather try to fix Lafreniere and get him back on track than sell low and watch him thrive elsewhere.
And there’s still plenty to like. Lafreniere has tallied 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) in 49 games this season, tying him for fourth on the team.
He’s coming off a strong showing in the Winter Classic, where he notched a career-high three assists in a statement win over the Florida Panthers. That kind of performance is exactly what keeps teams interested-and what keeps the Rangers hesitant to let him go.
Then there’s the contract. Lafreniere is signed at $7.45 million annually through the 2031-32 season, with no no-move clause in place until 2027-28.
That makes him both attractive to other teams and valuable to New York. The Rangers aren’t in a rush-they have time, leverage, and options.
Still, as Friedman noted, they’re keeping the phone lines open. “We’ll listen and we’ll see where it takes us,” he said. That’s the kind of posture you take when you’re not shopping a player-but you’re not ruling anything out either.
The conversation doesn’t stop with Lafreniere. Vincent Trocheck is another name drawing interest, and for good reason.
The 32-year-old center plays a premium position, brings playoff experience, and has a reputation for showing up in big moments. He’s also under contract for three more seasons at a manageable $5.625 million cap hit.
Trocheck doesn’t have a full no-move clause-just a 12-team no-trade list-which gives the Rangers flexibility. And while the team reportedly loves what he brings to the ice, they’ve made it clear: nothing is guaranteed. They’re willing to listen.
That brings us to the most complicated piece of the puzzle-Artemi Panarin. The Rangers’ leading scorer has already been told he won’t be getting an extension. The plan is to trade him, but that’s easier said than done.
Panarin holds all the cards with a full no-move clause, and so far, there’s no clear indication of which teams he’d be willing to go to. The early read is that he’d prefer a one-stop move-meaning he’s likely only waiving that clause for a team willing to give him a long-term extension. That kind of demand narrows the field significantly.
Still, the idea of Panarin on the move has sparked some intriguing ideas. One that’s surfaced?
A potential fit with the San Jose Sharks, where he could line up next to rising star Macklin Celebrini. Panarin’s a right shot, Celebrini a left.
On paper, it’s the kind of duo that could light up highlight reels. Whether Panarin would consider San Jose-or any destination not on his short list-remains to be seen.
This is where it gets tricky for Rangers GM Chris Drury. He’s made his intentions clear, but when it comes to players like Panarin, he doesn’t control the entire board. The Rangers are trying to retool on the fly, but with big contracts, no-move clauses, and legacy-level talent involved, this isn’t just about making deals-it’s about threading the needle.
So buckle up. The Rangers are in the spotlight, and the next few weeks could reshape the franchise’s future. Whether they move a major piece or stay the course with their young core, one thing’s certain: the hockey world will be watching.