Just three weeks before the NHL trade deadline, rumors are stirring in the Big Apple.
With the Olympic roster freeze currently in effect, Chris Drury is quietly plotting moves that could define his tenure as the New York Rangers General Manager.
After shipping Artemi Panarin to the Kings for Liam Greentree, New York has signaled its direction to the rest of the league. The last-place Rangers will be sellers at the March 6th trade deadline.
Here are the 3 most likely Rangers to be traded once the freeze lifts on February 22.
Vincent Trocheck
With Panarin in L.A., Trocheck is suddenly the most valuable trade chip Chris Drury has left. Despite the team’s struggles, Trocheck remains an effective top-six center who brings leadership and playoff experience.
He has 36 points (12 goals, 24 assists) in 43 games this season, though rumors suggest his attitude has clashed with the front office.
The Minnesota Wild are reportedly viewed as front-runners if he becomes available, while a move to the Detroit Red Wings could also make sense given Trocheck’s desire to remain in the Eastern Conference.
Unlike the underwhelming return for Panarin, Trocheck’s manageable $5.625 million cap hit through 2029 could allow the Rangers to command a significant return, whether that’s a high-end roster player or a guaranteed first-round pick.
Vladislav Gavrikov
Vladislav Gavrikov represents the ultimate case of buyer’s remorse.
Signed last summer to a seven-year, $49 million deal, Gavrikov envisioned himself as a Cup-contending cornerstone. Instead, the Rangers’ downturn has made him one of the top candidates to be moved.
NHL Network analyst Mike Rupp has reported that Gavrikov is unhappy with the team’s direction, particularly after his close friend Panarin was traded. He was brought in to be the missing piece for a championship push, not to anchor a retool.
Contenders like Dallas, Colorado, and Boston would all value a playoff-tested defender capable of stabilizing the blue line during a deep run.
Still, trading a player in the first year of a long-term deal is rare and often forces a team to retain salary or absorb an undesirable contract in return, though his reported dissatisfaction could push Drury to explore options.
Braden Schneider
Braden Schneider may be the most polarizing name on the trade block.
The young right-handed defenseman is logging career-high minutes of more than 20 per night, but he has not taken the developmental leap the organization anticipated. With the Rangers reportedly eyeing Latvian Olympic standout Alberts Šmits in the 2026 NHL Draft, Schneider could become expendable, and a change of scenery might benefit both sides.
The Buffalo Sabres are in need of right-handed defensive depth, while the San Jose Sharks could potentially dangle a young, skilled forward such as William Eklund in a larger deal.
Schneider could serve as the sweetener in a trade for a top-tier young forward or be moved outright for a package of high draft picks to help replenish a prospect pipeline that has been thinned in recent seasons.
Bottom Line
Trading Trocheck, Gavrikov, and Schneider can help the Rangers stockpile picks, balance the cap, and pivot toward the next contending cycle.
Depending on the return, the 2026 trade deadline could change New York’s future overnight.
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