Here’s the latest Rangers news and buzz ahead of the March 8 NHL trade deadline…
Feb. 16, 8:59 a.m.
The Rangers, dealing with multiple injuries to key players and leading the Metropolitan Division by eight points, are searching for serious reinforcements ahead of the March 8 trade deadline.
And with Filip Chytil out for the season, center is a clear need for New York.
To that end, one player the Blueshirts have their eye on, per multiple reports, is Philadelphia Flyers center Scott Laughton.
According to Arthur Staple of The Athletic, a recent report that the Rangers are unwilling to trade their 2024 first-round pick at the deadline is inaccurate, meaning they could potentially dangle it for Laughton or another target.
Laughton, 29, has seven goals and 17 assists this season for the Flyers and is signed through the 2025-26 campaign — with an annual cap hit of $3 million.
Feb. 5, 9:44 a.m.
The Rangers added Frank Vatrano at the deadline a few seasons ago, and there’s a chance they could turn to him again.
According to Arthur Staple and Eric Stephens of The Athletic, the Blueshirts have inquired with the Ducks about trading for Vatrano.
Vatrano, who is coming off his first All-Star appearance, has 22 goals and 14 assists in 50 games this season for Anaheim.
He is on pace to blast by his previous season-high for goals (24 in 2018-19) and points (41 in 2022-23).
Unlike the recently-traded Sean Monahan and Elias Lindholm, Vatrano is not a rental player.
The 29-year-old, who is making $3.65 million this season, is under contract for the 2024-25 season at the same salary.
Feb. 2, 11:06 a.m.
Possible Rangers target Sean Monahan is being traded from the Montreal Canadiens to the Winnipeg Jets, reports Pierre LeBrun of TSN.
Per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, the Jets are sending a first-round pick and a conditional pick to Montreal.
With the Rangers possibly in need of two centers due to Filip Chytil being out for the season, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet said earlier this week that “one of the teams that people are looking at,” regarding Monahan was the Rangers.
“I do think a number of teams are wondering if Monahan is on the Rangers’ radar,” Friedman noted.
However, Friedman added that there is “no love lost” between the front offices of the Rangers and Canadiens, which could’ve possibly added a wrinkle to any potential deal.
Monahan, 29, is having a strong season, with 13 goals and 22 assists in 49 games.
He has scored 27 or more goals five times during his nine-year NHL career and has bounced back nicely following groin surgery that ended his 2022-23 campaign.
Monahan is earning just $1.985 million this season and will be an unrestricted free agent after the year.
Jan. 31, 9:15 p.m.
The Rangers had Calgary Flames center Elias Lindholm on their list, but he will not be coming to New York.Â
The Flames agreed to send Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a hefty return of forward Andrei Kuzmenko, defensemen Hunter Brzustewicz and Joni Jurmo, a first-round pick and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin announced.
In 49 games this season, Lindholm has nine goals and 23 assists.
Jan. 31, 9:52 a.m.
With the Rangers in serious need of help at the center position, Chris Drury and Co. have Elias Lindholm of the Calgary Flames “at the top” of their wish list, reports Larry Brooks of The New York Post.
Lindholm, 29, is making $4.85 million this season and is set for free agency after the year.
Per Brooks, the bidding for Lindholm could be fierce, possibly requiring the acquiring team to give up a first-round pick plus “at least one legitimate prospect and perhaps a young, NHL-ready player.”
The above would be an incredibly steep price for a rental.
In 49 games this season, Lindholm has nine goals and 23 assists.
He notched 22 goals and 42 assists last season following the career year he had in 2021-22 — when he had 42 goals and 40 assists.
Jan. 30, 7:30 p.m.
As the Rangers look to upgrade their team ahead of the deadline, GM Chris Drury is reportedly taking calls on former second overall pick Kaapo Kakko, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger.Â
“Losing [Filip] Chytil for the remainder of the season is a big blow for the Rangers, but New York has cap space, and potentially the assets like Kakko, to acquire a significant piece,” Dreger said on Tuesday’s edition of Insider Trading.
With new head coach Peter Laviolette behind the bench, Kakko started the year alongside Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider on the top line, but he was quickly demoted after producing just three points over the first 11 games.
Still just 22 years old and playing on a cheap contract, perhaps, New York will be able to net an asset back to help their Stanley Cup push.
