New York Rangers “Open for Business” with All Options on the Table

The New York Rangers drastic free fall continues with back-to-back losses over the weekend. It has been clear since the summer that General Manager Chris Drury is looking to reshape this roster according to his vision. He wants to get money off the books to fix the needs of what is hurting the Rangers.

Things have not gone well for the Rangers since the memo came out from Chris Drury to the 31 other general managers, letting it be known he wanted to move Jacob Trouba and Chris Kreider. The Rangers were able to move Trouba and his $8 million salary cap hit to the Anaheim Ducks. That felt like it could have been an even bigger trade. However, the expectation is that those two teams will try to rekindle something later in the season. 

Most people knew this was not the only move Drury had up his sleeve for the New York Rangers. Unfortunately, things have gone from bad to worse for the Rangers since the trade of Trouba to the Ducks a little over a week ago. The Rangers have just one win, where they just hung on to beat the Buffalo Sabres. Expectations were higher this season, and the team appears ready to reshape things even more.

Following the loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, a fire sale could come with the Rangers. Drury is taking calls on just about everyone.

As seen on the “Saturday Headlines” segment on Hockey Night in Canada, Friedman talked about the New York Rangers being “Open for Business.”

“And it’s not going to be a surprise for anyone to hear that the Rangers are open for business now,” Friedman said. “They’ve already traded Jacob Trouba. They’ve let it be known that Chris Kreider is available. They have some untouchables, like Igor Shesterkin, who they just signed, and there are no move clauses. But I think they’re willing to consider all options. They want to hear ideas people have, and they’re listening to what could be out there for them.” 

New York Rangers: New York Rangers Still Want To Shake Things Up

Ottawa Senators: Brady Tkachuk is Not Leaving the Ottawa Senators

Colorado Avalanche: NHL Rumors: Will Mikko Rantanen Re-Sign with the Colorado Avalanche?

New Jersey Devils: The New Jersey Devils Need To Add to a Pure Goal Scorer

Then before the New York Rangers took to the ice against the St. Louis Blues on Sunday, head coach Peter Laviolette made Kaapo Kakko a healthy scratch. The trade speculation was ramping up as many thought Kakko was on the move. It appeared Laviolette just wanted to get fresh legs into the lineup. However, that does not mean Kakko is not available.

The Rangers have also made it known that he is available. Drury was more hesitant to trade the New York Rangers’ 2019 2nd overall pick last year, but he is more open to it this year. Nobody expects Kakko to be with the team at the end of the season.

If you look at the list of contracts, only a few players have full no-move clauses. They include Vincent Trocheck, Artemi Panarin, Adam Fox (starting in the 2025-26 season), Igor Shesterkin, and Mika Zibanejad. Alexis Lafreniere, who just signed his new seven-year extension with the club earlier in the season, could be in play if the right player comes along for the Rangers to trade. And that player is not Brady Tkachuk.

Kreider is on a 15-team no-trade list, and his contract has two more years at $6.5 million. Zibanejad, meanwhile, has five more seasons left on his deal at $8.5 million and a full no-movement clause. However, according to RG, Zibanejad’s name is mentioned in trade conversations.

“He’s out there for sure,” the source told RG recently. “They’re not necessarily trying to get rid of him, but they let guys know he could be available at the right price.”

As TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button has stated in the past, just because a player has a no-movement clause does not mean he can’t be traded. Ryan McDonagh was traded to the Nashville Predators by the Tampa Bay Lightning after going to the Stanley Cup final for the third season in a row because of cap reasons.

So, it could be done if the New York Rangers wanted to move Zibanejad. Another name coming up in trade talks now is unrestricted free-agent defenseman Ryan Lindgren. Lindgren will seek a new contract after signing the one-year extension at $4.5 million. It would make sense for the Rangers to keep him with Fox, but if Drury feels his team will not make the playoffs, get assets for him.

So the New York Rangers are a team to watch as the holiday freeze approaches and even after. If things don’t turn around, the coach could lose his job. And if that happens, the GM might as well find himself a new job, too.

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? Launched in April and we are posting weekly podcasts, hot takes, and rumors from around the NHL. Come along for the ride.