NHL Rumors: Different scenarios, but New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild will have some decisions to make

The New York Rangers have some decisions to make

Vince Z Mercogliano of The Athletic: (mailbag) Artemi Panarin holds a no-movement clause, so he has a lot to say if the New York Rangers look to move him at the trade deadline. Brad Marchand to the Florida Panthers at the deadline last year is a good comp – a conditional 2nd round pick, with it being a 1st round pick if they won two rounds.

Panarin’s return should be a little better than Marchand’s, so maybe a first-round pick and a mid-round or B-level prospect. With two first-round picks already, the Rangers may prefer a young player instead of first.

The Rangers trading forward Vincent Trocheck would bring a better return than Panarin back. He’s two years younger, and have two years left on his deal at a $5.625 million cap hit. He’d likely net a first, a quality prospect, and more. Trocheck has a 12-team no-trade list.

The Rangers have over $30 million in projected cap space for this offseason, but free agent crop isn’t looking like they had hoped. Aside from Panarin, Alex Tuch is one of the top options and he’s looking for $10 million-plus. The next group includes Oliver Bjorkstrand, Michael Bunting, Mason Marchment, Nick Schmaltz and Kiefer Sherwood.

The Minnesota Wild have some decisions to make with three of their pending UFAs

Michael Russo and Joe Smith of The Athletic: Minnesota Wild forward Marcus Johansson signed a one-year, $800,000 deal last offseason, as he and his family love it in Minnesota. He’s eligible for a contract extension after January 1st, and it will be interesting to see if they work out another deal. Johansson’s having a good season so far and is already ahead of last year’s goals total, and is closing in on the 34 points. After trading forwards Marco Rossi and Liam Ohgren, an extension makes sense.

Veteran forward Mats Zuccarello (38) and defenseman Zach Bogosian (35) are also pending UFAs that the Wild will need to decide on. GM Bill Guerin will show some patience, but at the right price, he’s sure to consider bringing all three back.

Before the season, Zuccarello said he wasn’t sure if he wanted to play another year. Re-signing Bogosian may block some of their younger defenseman, including David Jiricek.