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New York Rangers' 'Ideal' Trade Deadline Scenario Revealed

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Mar 1, 2025 7:00 AM ET

The New York Rangers are expected to be active ahead of the trade deadline but are taking a measured approach, prioritizing players with term over rental acquisitions.

According to NHL insider Vincent Z. Mercogliano of Lohud, the organization is focused on adding pieces that fit into their long-term plans rather than short-term fixes.

"In an ideal scenario, the Rangers would like to add players who are under contract beyond just this season," Mercogliano wrote. "That's much easier said than done, but they’ve gone down the rental road each of the previous three seasons, which has left their draft capital depleted and their prospect pool thin at critical positions."

The Rangers, just four points outside of the postseason picture after a dreadful start to the season, have already acquired one player under a long-term this season by adding Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller.

When it comes to potential trade targets, however, not even beat reporters and insiders such as Mercogliano seem to know what the Rangers might be looking into.

“Most are in agreement that the Rangers would prefer to avoid rentals,” Mercogliano wrote. “But when it comes to players with multiple years of team control, very few have a read on who the tight-lipped [Chris] Drury is targeting.”

Mercogliano linked the Rangers to Pittsburgh Penguins forward Rickard Rakell, whose contract runs through 2027–28 with a $5 million cap hit. He also noted interest in Nick Schmaltz of Utah and Philadelphia’s Scott Laughton.

“Center may be the toughest to snag, because everyone wants one and few are available,” Mercogliano wrote. “Philadelphia’s Scott Laughton ($3 million AAV through next season) is a player the Rangers have had previous interest in.

"Some also point to Nashville, where battle-tested veteran Ryan O’Reilly may be on the block.”

The Rangers have over $14.3 million in deadline cap space, allowing them to explore taking on salary in three-team trade scenarios to gain additional draft capital, as well as landing top-tier targets playing under large-salary deals.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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