The New York Islanders are drawing interest, but the latest chatter suggests they may not be eager to make a move that creates another problem elsewhere.
Elliotte Friedman said the Islanders have been getting calls on both Bo Horvat and Mat Barzal, but their contracts have changed the conversation. As Friedman put it: “I think they did get calls on Horvat and Barzal, but now Horvat is at 8.5, Barzal is 9.15, all the sudden those are great contracts… I think they look at it like, if we lose these guys, those are going to open up huge holes to fill.”
On the Rangers’ side, the door still appears open for another forward addition. Vincent Z.
Mercogliano of The Athletic reported that based on what GM Chris Drury has hinted at, and what he’s heard, New York shouldn’t be ruled out as a team looking to upgrade its top six. He noted the Rangers may need to find an upgrade to Oliver Bjorkstrand in that group.
That could have ripple effects for defenseman Braden Schneider, who has been in the rumor mill and looks set for the third pairing. Mercogliano said the increased trading on Will Borgen has improved Schneider’s chances of staying put, though he could still be moved for a top-nine forward.
Out in Vancouver, Elias Pettersson’s contract is being viewed a little differently than it was before. On Sekeres and Price, David Pagnotta said the Canucks might need to retain some salary and possibly add a sweetener, but the deal is starting to look more manageable.
Blake Price said, “He’s a perennial 60 point guy. He’s signing for 10 million bucks, isn’t he?
Pagnotta replied, “Effectively, you’re describing a second line center. So second line centers are either are, or are going to be in that eight to 10 (million) range, and 11.6 isn’t that far off.
Price added, “That’s what I’m saying.”
Pagnotta then said, “You know, if, if they’re, and we’ve talked about this too, like there’s been a moderate appetite. An inkling that maybe they’ll retain a little bit on that deal, and you started to hear two, 3 million bucks. I don’t even know if they wanted to go that far, but 1.6, get him at 10.
Again, you’re going to have to incentivize the team to do it. It’s the trade, and then it’s the dollars on top of it. But it seems like it’s a lot more palatable now than it’s ever been based on recent production.”
In Other News...
Chris Kreider Could Be Pulled Back Into A Rangers Debate
Chris Kreiders first season in Anaheim looked like a clean break from the Rangers, and in some ways it was. He produced 50 points in 75 games, gave the Ducks a veteran scoring presence and helped them get back to the playoffs, which made the trade look like a win for both sides at the time. But the Ducks have spent the summer adding financial pressure, and the ripple effect from those moves is now putting some familiar names back into the conversation.
Sportsnets Elliotte Friedman has pointed to Pat Verbeek potentially needing to move salary as Anaheim tries to navigate its cap picture, with Frank Vatrano and Alex Killorn also mentioned as possible candidates. If the Ducks have to trim deeper, Kreider is suddenly the kind of player who could draw attention again, which is where this gets interesting for the Rangers. A reunion is not the point right now, but any time a player of Kreiders profile starts drifting back toward the market, New York is going to be part of the discussion. [Read more 🡒]
Flyers Just Sent A Warning The Rangers Can't Ignore
The Flyers bold move on restricted free agent Leo Carlsson is the kind of aggressive swing that can ripple across the league, and it should have the Rangers paying attention. Philadelphia has put Anaheim in a tricky spot with a deal the Ducks can match by July 10, and the threat of a major draft-pick payout if they walk away only underscores how far some teams are willing to go to chase impact talent.
For the Rangers, it is another reminder that the Eastern Conference arms race is not slowing down, even after their own offseason work to bolster the roster. New York has added help on multiple fronts, but if the Flyers keep pushing into the market for young, high-end talent, the pressure on the Rangers to keep pace only grows, especially with more roster maneuvering still possible if this offer-sheet gamble does not land the way Philadelphia hopes. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Fans May Finally Have A Center Prospect Worth Believing In
Cole Beaudoin has started to look like the kind of center prospect Rangers fans have been waiting to see take shape. The 2024 first-round pick is a left-shot pivot with size and playmaking touch, and his final junior season with the Barrie Colts gave the organization a real reason to pay attention. As co-captain, he put together a strong year and showed the kind of offensive production that can make a prospect feel less like a long shot and more like a possible answer down the middle.
The bigger question now is how quickly that promise can translate beyond junior hockey, especially with the Rangers center depth picture changing around him. Beaudoins skating and physical game have both taken steps forward, and evaluators are starting to see a player whose ceiling may be higher than originally thought. If he keeps trending the same way, New York may have more than just a useful prospect on its hands. [Read more 🡒]