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The NHL’s annual holiday trade freeze from Dec. 20 to 27 is fast approaching, stoking conjecture over possible moves by the New York Rangers.
Free-falling in the standings entering December, the Rangers traded captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 6. That move failed to staunch the bleeding as they’ve won twice in their last six games, slipping out of a wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference.
Following the Rangers’ 5-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported the Blueshirts were “open for business.” He cited earlier reports indicating they’ve let it be known that left winger Chris Kreider is available.
Friedman said they have some untouchables, such as recently re-signed goaltender Igor Shesterkin and several players with no-movement clauses. However, they’re willing to consider all options and would entertain offers.
The Athletic’s Arthur Staple wondered who would be next to leave the Rangers’ sinking ship. He suggested Peter Laviolette’s tenure as coach could end prematurely, but the New York Post‘s Larry Brooks claimed management has little stomach for a coaching change after making two since 2021.
The Hockey News’ Remy Mastey wrote that if the Rangers have already gone through David Quinn and Gerard Gallant and still have issues with physicality and strength on defense, coaching might not be the problem.
THN.com’s Stan Fischler, meanwhile, said Laviolette should play youngsters Will Cuyle and Brett Berard more over struggling veterans like Kreider if he wants to keep his job.
Staple claimed there wasn’t much interest in Kreider. The 33-year-old has two years left on his contract with an annual cap hit of $6.5 million. He indicated defenseman Ryan Lindgren had been available for a while, but no one’s buying high on an underperforming UFA-eligible defenseman.
According to Staple, there remains interest in Kaapo Kakko. The 23-year-old right winger is under a one-year, $2.4 million contract. His production has improved over his 19-point effort during an injury-shortened 2023-24, with 14 points in 29 games.
Kakko was a healthy scratch for Sunday’s 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues, prompting speculation he was about to get traded. However, Brooks’ colleague Mollie Walker cited a league source claiming no trade was in the works for Kakko.
Brooks believes it’s time for the Rangers to part company with Kakko. He suggested they offer the 23-year-old winger to the Buffalo Sabres for rugged winger Jordan Greenway. Meanwhile, Staple’s colleague Peter Baugh speculated Kakko might fetch a second-round draft pick or a later pick packaged with a pending UFA.
The Hockey News’ Adam Proteau wrote that, given the Rangers’ current performance, adding one or two players in a trade will not solve many of their issues. The bigger solution will have to come internally.
Related: It’s Been ‘Same Story’ For Rangers This Season, And It’s Been Significantly Subpar
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