Rangers’ Jacob Trouba trade plans, Jake Guentzel, Patrick Kane: What we’re hearing

Rangers’ Jacob Trouba trade plans, Jake Guentzel, Patrick Kane: What we’re hearing

LAS VEGAS — The New York Rangers departed the 2024 NHL Draft with Jacob Trouba still their captain. For how much longer is the big question.

Despite some momentum building around a Trouba trade on Saturday, nothing materialized, and the Rangers, seemingly eager to move Trouba and all or part of his $8 million cap the next two seasons, may find that this will be a difficult transaction to complete in the window the team needs to free up cap space to make a splash on Monday, when free agency begins.

A league source indicated that Trouba, who still has a no-movement clause until noon on Monday, may not be inclined to help speed this deal along, even if Rangers GM Chris Drury finds a trade fit with the Detroit Red Wings, Trouba’s hometown team.

The Rangers requested Trouba’s 15-team no-trade list earlier this week to try to expedite a deal. Trouba’s no-movement clause becomes a 15-team no-trade clause on Monday, but there are ways that Trouba’s camp, led by agent Kurt Overhardt, can throw a wrench in the Rangers’ plans.

If Trouba waits until Monday to submit his list and word is out that Drury is trying to complete a deal with, say, the Red Wings, Trouba could put Detroit on his no-trade list and veto the move. That could open him up to a destination he might not want or the possibility that Drury could place Trouba on waivers, as he did with Barclay Goodrow last week to get around Goodrow’s veto of a trade to the Sharks. San Jose claimed Goodrow on waivers.

Should the Rangers fail to move Trouba, there may have to be some smoothing over of hurt feelings before next season begins.

Another league source said on Saturday that the Rangers, who currently have around $ 12.85 million in cap space, are still eager to add a top-six wing but aren’t looking to add any player seeking term.

Jake Guentzel is still believed to be a Rangers target, and he will command seven years at a big number, but the Lightning might have stepped to the front of the line for the coveted forward after the Tampa Bay Lightning traded Mikhail Sergachev and Tanner Jeannot on Saturday.

Patrick Kane may be in the mix, and the 36-year-old is believed to be open to a one-year deal, which could push him up the list of Ranger targets. Steven Stamkos still appears to be headed to the market despite Tampa’s cap-clearing moves, and he, too, will interest the Rangers, though a one-year deal is unlikely for him.

Jonathan Marchessault and Tyler Toffoli are both seeking term on their deals, so they are likely headed elsewhere.

We recently examined what restricted free agent Ryan Lindgren’s next contract could look like. New York will have to decide if it is ready to give him a long-term deal. If the Rangers can’t sign him long-term, they’ll risk him leaving next summer as an unrestricted free agent.

The Rangers and Lindgren’s camp have been in touch, but a deal isn’t coming together quickly. New York, of course, has other priorities with free agency nearing.

Lindgren’s situation will be worth monitoring in the coming weeks, especially given the salary cap ramifications that will come with the deal. So, too, will Braden Schneider, the team’s other remaining restricted free agent. Schneider is only 22, and the Rangers have typically done bridge deals with younger players hitting restricted free agency. If Schneider and Lindgren combine to get $6 million this summer, it will take up nearly half of the Rangers current cap flexibility.

We talked to one league scout who loved the EJ Emery pick for the Rangers at No. 30. That person praised his skating ability and said “he’ll play 15 years in the league.” That’s obviously just one perspective, but the Rangers certainly hope it is correct.

The Rangers made three picks Saturday: Raoul Boilard (No. 119), Nathan Aspinall (No. 159) and Rico Gredig (No. 191).

The Rangers traded up to draft Boilard, who plays for Baie-Comeau in the QMJHL. They sent the Predators the No. 127 pick and a 2026 sixth-rounder to make the pick.

Director of amateur scouting John Lilley said the Rangers view Boilard as a natural centerman. The 18-year-old had 62 points in 68 games last year. Rangers scout Pierre Rioux, the former Baie-Comeau general manager, knew Boilard well, which likely contributed to the Rangers moving up.

“Just a smart two-way forward,” Lilley said. “Just someone we really valued.”

The Rangers also continued a trend of drafting big-body wings in the late rounds. Aspinall, who plays in the OHL for Flint, is 6 feet 6 inches. Matt Rempe (2020 sixth-rounder), who is 6-8, and 6-7 Adam Edstrom (2019 sixth-rounder) both debuted for the Rangers this past season.

“The size is definitely a benefit, especially when you look at the playoffs and the harder games,” Lilley said.

(Photo of Jacob Trouba: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

New York Rangers,NHL,NHL Draft 2024