New York Rangers Face Unfinished Business After Trouba Trade

The New York Rangers have entered a period of transition following the trade of Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks. The deal, which brought back a fourth-round draft pick and defenseman Urho Vaakanainen, leaves the Rangers with unresolved challenges as they seek to refine their roster and rediscover their form.

Lingering Distractions Removed

While Trouba wasn’t solely to blame for the team’s struggles, his presence as captain had become a notable distraction. Now, the Rangers can focus on hockey and move forward. Their comeback victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday was a crucial morale boost after a difficult stretch. However, behind the scenes, team president and general manager Chris Drury still faces considerable tasks to restore the Rangers to Stanley Cup contender status.

Potential Moves for the Rangers

According to Emily Kaplan of ESPN, the Rangers are not done making changes. During Friday’s broadcast, Kaplan highlighted several names that might be moved, including Chris Kreider, Reilly Smith, Kaapo Kakko, and Ryan Lindgren. Among these, Kreider and Kakko are less likely to be traded, with Lindgren being the most probable candidate.

Kaplan noted, “It wouldn’t be surprising if Lindgren is traded.” This aligns with his declining impact; over the past two seasons, Lindgren has ranked last among Rangers defensemen (minimum 20 games played) with a 45.34% expected goals rate, according to Natural Stat Trick.

While Kakko has yet to meet the lofty expectations of his 2019 second-overall draft selection, he has been a valuable contributor this season. Trading him for a third-round pick or less could create a hole the Rangers might struggle to fill. Kreider, despite his partial no-trade clause and remaining term on his contract, offers size and net-front presence that would be difficult to replace. Meanwhile, Smith’s recent surge—two goals in two games—makes retaining him a reasonable option if the Rangers continue winning.

Commitment to Staying Competitive

The Rangers’ long-term intentions are clear: they are not rebuilding. Their eight-year contract extension with star goaltender Igor Shesterkin underscores their commitment to contention. Consequently, radical moves involving stars like Artemi Panarin or Adam Fox seem unlikely. The team also appears intent on keeping young players like Victor Mancini, Zac Jones, and Brett Berard.

Upcoming Schedule as a Deciding Factor

The next month will be pivotal in shaping the Rangers’ strategy. If the team falls further from playoff contention by the March 7, 2025 trade deadline, even players like Kreider could be on the block.

Two of their next three games, against non-playoff teams Buffalo Sabres and St. Louis Blues, are critical opportunities to gain momentum. Though technically not must-win games, they carry heightened importance after a disheartening loss to the Seattle Kraken. Looking ahead, the schedule becomes tougher, with matchups against the New Jersey Devils, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, and Boston Bruins.

How the team performs in this stretch will guide Drury’s decisions about buying, selling, or standing pat.

Drury’s Approach to Stabilization

In the aftermath of the Trouba trade, Drury has emphasized the need for stability. “We’re certainly not opposed to making more changes. But the team has been through a lot in recent weeks, especially this one,” he said, as reported by Vince Mercogliano of USA Today Network.

Drury intends to give the newly acquired players, including Urho Vaakanainen, Victor Mancini, and Brett Berard, time to integrate. “We just want to let the team settle with this group,” he added.

This cautious approach is the right call. December provides a critical window to evaluate individual and team performance. In a month’s time, the Rangers can reassess and execute necessary moves.

Future Adjustments

One clear area for improvement is finding a suitable replacement for Lindgren. A top-pair defenseman capable of complementing Fox would bolster the team’s chances significantly. What Drury decides to do next will determine the Rangers’ trajectory, and fans eagerly await how the remaining pieces of the puzzle will fall into place.

By balancing short-term stability with long-term planning, the New York Rangers hope to regain their footing and solidify their status as playoff contenders.