The chatter surrounding the New York Rangers has picked up on the possibility of a Vincent Trocheck trade. It seems a little far-fetched that the Blueshirts would jettison Trocheck, particularly with his very team-friendly contract in tow.
But as Rangers insider Vincent Mercogliano noted, the club could be willing to explore a trade for Trocheck. The rationale is that the Blueshirts could translate the center-starved market into a sizeable return.
In particular, Mercogliano used the crosstown New York Islanders trade of Brock Nelson last season as an interesting comparable. Mercogliano wrote the following in a December 23 piece in The Athletic regarding the potential return for Trocheck:
“A trade that caught a lot of people’s attention at last season’s deadline was the one that sent Brock Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche. In exchange for Nelson and fledgling prospect William Dufour (who’s since moved to Russia’s KHL), the New York Islanders received a top-10-protected first-rounder, a conditional third, center prospect Calum Ritchie and depth defenseman Oliver Kylington.”
The main piece in the Nelson trade was Colorado’s top prospect at the time Calum Ritchie. Ritchie has earned a regular lineup spot in Long Island, though he is yet to truly become a bona fide NHLer.
Meanwhile, the first-round pick will likely transfer to the 2027 NHL Draft as it’s top-10 protected. Still, getting a top prospect and a first-rounder seems like the tip of the iceberg. That situation prompted Mercogliano to add:
“It showed the value centers carry around the league, but it’s not even an apples-to-apples comparison. Nelson eventually re-signed with Colorado, but he was a rental when the trade occurred. Trocheck should hold even more appeal because of his contract certainty.”
Again, Trocheck could fetch far more.
Rangers Could Fleece Desperate Club in Trocheck Trade
While there doesn’t seem to be any real inkling that the Rangers could trade Trocheck, the fact is that the right offer may be too much to pass up.
A desperate team looking to make it over the hump could throw together a deal that may be too good to pass up. One team that comes to mind is the Minnesota Wild. After trading their top-line center in the Quinn Hughes trade, the Wild could take a swing at someone like the Rangers’ top-line center.
Similarly, the Montreal Canadiens are another team believed to be looking for an upgrade. The LA Kings could be in the same boat after moving Phillip Danault. Plus, they’ll need to replace Anze Kopitar at the end of the season.
Mercogliano drilled down on the possibility of a team paying up by writing:
“…if the Rangers decide to shop Trocheck — which, to be clear, there are no indications of at this time — we’re talking about a first, a quality prospect and possibly more.”
Trocheck’s 12-team no-trade list notwithstanding, the return could be substantial.
Trocheck Trade Doesn’t Seem Imminent
For all the talk surrounding the Rangers, a Trocheck trade doesn’t seem imminent. While the club could look to retool over the summer, making this sort of trade isn’t likely. The Blushirts must first determine where they stand. Making the playoffs won’t suffice. The goal is to challenge for the Stanley Cup.
However, this Rangers’ core doesn’t seem on track to get there. So, if the Rangers choose to move Trocheck, it will be once the club is pretty much out of the playoff race. That could mean waiting a few more weeks to see just how far the team can make it this season.
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