Identifying the NY Rangers top trade chips

The Rangers appear to be in full trade deadline prep mode, as they’ve waived Ryan Carpenter and returned Ben Harpur to the AHL. With 21 players, the Rangers will have about $7 million in cap space on deadline day. Naturally with all the trade rumors, there will be differing opinions on trade cost. But the first step is identifying the NY Rangers top trade chips, and figuring out who they may actually part with at the deadline.

Not likely to be traded

Assuming we are operating in the realm of keeping the current roster intact while only potentially moving those without a key role on the team, then it’s easy to identify those that won’t be traded. It’s safe to assume that none of the big contracts are going to be traded, and if the Rangers move on from a player currently on the roster, it will be a spare part.

The list of players unlikely to be traded includes Braden Schneider, Kaapo Kakko, Alexis Lafreniere, and Filip Chytil, at least for the trade deadline. The deadline is about rentals, and while this trio would certainly be the best of the NY Rangers top trade chips, it’s highly unlikely any are dealt for rentals.

That said, if there is a trade for a non-rental, a player with more than 2 playoff runs left on their contract, then it’s certainly possible one will be traded. But those deals don’t really happen at the deadline.

NY Rangers top trade chips

Using the process of elimination from those unlikely to be traded, the NY Rangers top trade chips are a lot easier to identify. From the current roster, Vitali Kravtsov is the clear cut favorite to be moved for a rental. He has the most trade value, and it’s clear he’s an after thought for Gerard Gallant and Chris Drury.

In terms of non-roster chips, Zac Jones is at the top of the list. It’s clear he’s not in their thought process either, as Gallant prefers a lower event third pairing. Jones had his own issues in the first two months, but the potential is there and he still has some good value.

Neither Kravtsov nor Jones are considered can’t miss prospects, but they are likely B/B+ prospects with high ceilings that teams would like at the deadline. They are easily the top two the Rangers will trade from, especially since neither are on their ELCs come next season (Kravtsov is already on his second contract).

An argument can be made that Dylan Garand is in this category as well.

Naturally, both of the Rangers 1st round picks are in play. It’s doubtful they trade both, but expect them to trade at least one. If they don’t, then great. There’s also a strong argument to replenish prospects using the picks and dealing from those that have an immediate decision looming, like Kravtsov and Jones.

Trade sweeteners

Trade sweeteners are a bit subjective, as they are the “cherries on top” to make a deal go through. They have value, but it’s not much and the value would vary by team, so they aren’t really at the same level as the NY Rangers top trade chips. This is where a Julien Gauthier might be categorized. Ditto Libor Hajek. They don’t have much value on their own, but it could be just enough as as a sweetener to move a deal through.

That’s not to say Gauthier or Hajek are players the club would look to move, but they certainly won’t get in the way of finalizing a trade. Sammy Blais likely falls into this category as well. Players that have a role, but can be easily replaced.

Also in this category is someone like Lauri Pajuniemi, who is on his final year of his ELC and has seen himself passed on the depth charts by multiple players. He’s a bit of a one trick pony, but that one trick is a lethal shot that teams may find valuable.

As covered over the weekend, the Rangers are likely to add a top six RW. If they are competing with other teams, basically anyone in the non-Kane division of targets, then the sweeteners may be needed on top of the NY Rangers top trade chips to get a deal done. This especially holds true if salary retention is needed.

There’s still a long way to go until the deadline, but recent moves have suggested that Drury and Gallant want to move quickly to shore up lineup holes. Unlike last year, there’s an immediate need to make up points.