Events in the past couple of days have put more focus on the New York Rangers and the players that could possibly be traded prior to the Feb 24 deadline. On Monday, the Vancouver Canucks and the Los Angeles Kings made a trade and the Colorado Avalanche has been hit with the injury bug, including a goaltender. Both of these will have an impact on the price of trades that would possibly involve any current New York Ranger.
Toffoli trade helps set a price for the New York Rangers
On Monday, the Vancouver Canucks acquired forward Tyler Toffoli from the Los Angeles Kings for forward Tim Schaller, a second-round pick and forward prospect Tyler Madden. The Kings will also acquire an additional fourth-round pick in 2022 if Toffoli re-signs with Vancouver. Toffoli was the second-best trade prospect according to experts, with the Ranger’s Chris Kreider listed as the top target. If the Rangers trade Kreider, one would think that they would get something similar if not better in return, especially with the number of suitors that have reported interest in obtaining Kreider. However, trading Kreider is not a done deal as the Rangers continue negotiating with Kreider’s team to keep him on the roster. There are many reports on the possible offers that need to be made, which include terms anywhere from six years at six million dollars to seven years at seven million dollars. Even though the Rangers are currently sitting outside of the playoff race, they are 7-3 in their last ten games and are close enough to make a run at a playoff spot.
Colorado could look to the New York Rangers for goaltender help
At this point in the season, many believe that the Avalanche could use an upgrade in net over the injured Philipp Grubauer and untested Pavel Francouz in order to make a run at the Stanley Cup this spring. Grubauer was injured in the 2020 Stadium Series game on Saturday, and there is currently no timetable set for his return. The Rangers have two possible candidates for trade, Alexandar Georgiev and Henrik Lundqvist. As many now know, Lundqvist has a no-movement clause and has indicated his desire to finish his career as a Ranger. However, there could also be the possibility that Lundqvist may do a “Ray Bourque”, which is to accept a trade for one last chance to win a Stanley Cup. Bourque did this 2001, as he waited longer to win his first Cup than any other Cup-winning player had in the 108-year history of the Stanley Cup.