Rangers May Be Open to Trading Top-Earning Forward
The New York Rangers are expected to be among the NHL’s busiest teams as the trade deadline approaches. General Manager Chris Drury has already increased his activity significantly after publicly stating that the team is open for business. So far, Drury has executed two major trades: Artemi Panarin was sent to the Los Angeles Kings, and Carson Soucy was moved to the New York Islanders.
Despite these transactions, additional roster changes appear likely. Vincent Trocheck is widely considered the most prominent trade candidate across the league, while defenseman Braden Schneider may also be on his way out of the Big Apple. Although losing both players would represent substantial departures, sources indicate that the Rangers could be open to moving other key stars as well.
Sportsnet insider Nick Kypreos recently commented on the ongoing trade speculation surrounding Trocheck and Schneider. He added a notable observation about the rest of the Rangers’ roster, stating, “The Rangers are still taking calls on Schneider as they consider any and all trade options on the roster except Igor Shesterkin.” This suggests that even high-profile players such as Mika Zibanejad and Adam Fox might potentially be included in trade discussions, a scenario previously considered unlikely. While the team is in a “retooling” phase, early indications suggested neither Zibanejad, Fox, Shesterkin, nor J.T. Miller would be moved. However, recent developments may have shifted that stance.
Mika Zibanejad’s Future With the Rangers Could Be in Question
Mika Zibanejad, who turned 33 in April, is a central figure in these trade conversations. The Rangers are not expected to contend for the Stanley Cup in the immediate future, and Zibanejad’s full no-movement clause (NMC) in his eight-year, $68 million contract gives him significant control over his next steps. The question now is whether he wants to remain with a team that is in transition.
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period addressed this topic in mid-January, noting that Zibanejad may reconsider his position. “Trade chatter surrounded him around the NHL Draft and over the offseason, and while he was adamant at the time that he had no interest in waiving his NMC and accepting a trade, he may now reconsider and could be open to evaluating possible trade destinations given the club’s new direction,” Pagnotta wrote.
On February 25, Tyler Yaremchuk and Carter Hutton of Daily Faceoff also discussed whether the Olympic Games could influence Zibanejad’s decision. The forward represented Team Sweden at the Olympics in Italy and later noted that the experience energized him, potentially boosting his enthusiasm to return to NHL competition.
Summer Moves Could Reshape the Rangers
While a trade involving Zibanejad is theoretically possible, it remains unlikely to occur immediately. The center holds significant leverage due to his NMC, and any potential suitor would need to accommodate his $8.5 million average annual value (AAV) cap hit. As a result, a move during the summer appears more probable, especially if Zibanejad reassesses his future with New York.
Rangers fans may also need to be patient regarding his return to the ice. According to Vince Mercogliano, Zibanejad missed a team practice on February 25 due to illness, and it is unclear whether he will be ready for the game against the Philadelphia Flyers on February 26.
