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The New York Rangers won the Presidents’ Trophy last season with a franchise-best record of 55-23-4 and 114 points. Having reached the Eastern Conference final twice during the last three seasons, they entered 2024-25 as a serious Stanley Cup contender.
Approaching December, however, the Rangers looked anything like a Cup contender.
After winning six of nine games in October, they’re 6-5-0 through November following their 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Monday, leaving them clinging to a wild-card berth.
Hours before the Rangers faced the Blues, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported they’ve made it clear they intend to shake up their roster. He claimed captain Jacob Trouba and longtime left winger Chris Kreider were among the players believed to be available.
Friedman talked about Kreider during an appearance on The FAN Hockey Show with Matt Marchese and Mike Futa. He pointed out that the 33-year-old lacks full no-trade protection, suggesting he would draw interest in the trade market. Friedman indicated he was trying to determine if the Rangers were serious about moving Kreider or trying to send a message to his teammates.
Kreider carries a 15-team no-trade list and a $6.5-million average annual value through 2026-27 on his contract. Nevertheless, he would be an enticing trade target. The Hockey News’ Michael DeRosa suggested the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings and Utah Hockey Club as possible destinations.
Related: Three Potential Trade Destinations For Rangers’ Chris Kreider
Following those reports, Trouba said he hadn’t spoken with Drury about them. He shrugged it off as part of the business of hockey, adding he learned during the off-season that such things were beyond his control, referring to last summer’s trade rumors linking him to the Detroit Red Wings.
ESPN’s Emily Kaplan claimed the names being mentioned sent the message to the Rangers players that no one should feel complacent right now. Meanwhile, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reported that Rangers GM Chris Drury sent a memo league-wide indicating he was open for business, indicating that multiple players besides Trouba and Kreider were available.
The Hockey News’ Remy Mastey cited USA Today‘s Vince Z. Mercogliano, claiming there was “definite unrest” within the organization, citing “concerns from the top about this core plateauing and increasing unease from players/employees.”
Mercogliano indicated sources pointed out that making big moves is rare and difficult to do at this point in the season. The Athletic’s Arthur Staple made a similar observation, noting that most of their veterans have expensive long-term contracts with no-movement or no-trade protection.
Staple pointed out that the unhappiness from the front office is aimed mostly at the veterans other than goaltenders Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick and left winger Artemi Panarin. They’re pleased with the play of young players, such as Alexis Lafreniere, Will Cuylle, Braden Schneider and Zac Jones, as well as forwards Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko.
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Related: Despite Star Goalie Shesterkin’s Strong Play, Rangers’ Defense Hasn’t Been Good Enough
