We are fast approaching the trade freeze being lifted at 1PM ET today. Here’s several quick hit tidbits on the New York Rangers to be aware of going into it.
Top Insider calls Rangers a team to watch
Frank Seravalli who is now with the Daily Faceoff absolutely crushed the NHL and ESPN’s Seattle Kraken expansion broadcast yesterday. He almost singlehandedly leaked every selection.
Today, in his latest post he calls the Rangers a “team to watch” and states that Chris Drury has “multiple irons in the fire.”
To breakdown what he’s hearing:
- Kraken interested in Ryan Strome
- Rangers have been shopping Pavel Buchnevich for weeks
- Alex Georgiev is looking for a change of scenery, Rangers shopping him
From what I can gather, Strome has several teams in on him, including but not limited to the Ottawa Senators. Seravalli noted that the Rangers have been also calling teams in the top 10 of the draft to move up. Sounds like a connection to Jack Eichel if you ask me.
There’s also some word out there that both the Predators and Blues have offers on the table for Buchnevich. Per Mollie Walker who spoke with his agent, they want something long-term and at this point the Rangers have not really engaged. It seems the Rangers are moving on here.
Finally, with Keith Kinkaid still on the team and signed for next season. Georgiev is expendable.
On those Jack Eichel medical records
Larry Brooks reported earlier today that the Rangers have yet to see Eichel’s medical records and thus no deal is close. Here’s the story, no one has seen those reports. Elliotte Friedman was on WGR550 in Buffalo after that tweet and could not name one team that may been given access either. He thinks maybe Anaheim, but he just doesn’t know.
While the Sabres have been holding those records hostage, it doesn’t mean that some information couldn’t get out. Still, any team trading for that contract wants to see what the Sabres have – period – full stop.
The Sabres want a first round pick for him and the draft is tomorrow night. Things could get busy real quick on the Eichel front soon.
Brendan Smith hitting free agent market
Larry Brooks is also reporting that the Rangers will not try and re-sign Brendan Smith does making him a UFA.
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