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3 players the New York Rangers should trade ASAP

By Vincent Parise |
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 13: Kaapo Kakko #24 of the New York Rangers during the game against the Arizona Coyotes on November 13, 2022 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 13: Kaapo Kakko #24 of the New York Rangers during the game against the Arizona Coyotes on November 13, 2022 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Getty Images)
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The New York Rangers were an outstanding team in 2022-23. When they traded for Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko ahead of the trade deadline, it felt like a team that would be hard to beat.

They ended up becoming a disappointment as they lost to the New Jersey Devils in seven games. It was an incredible series that ended with the better team winning.

What is wrong with the Rangers when the playoffs come around? Well, their depth might not be good enough to support their heroic goaltender, Igor Shesterkin.

Now, they might be looking to trade a few players for help in other areas. These are the three players that they should consider moving ASAP:

Kaapo Kakko. 24. player. 95. . FWD. New York Rangers

The New York Rangers should consider moving on from Kaapo Kakko.

Kaapo Kakko was selected second overall by the New York Rangers in the 2019 NHL Draft. Only Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils went ahead of him.

There were people who thought New Jersey should take Kakko with the first pick. It’s insane how wrong that ended up being.

Kaako is a good player but he is just that. A good player. He has not become the star power forward that the Rangers envisioned, at least not yet.

There is still time for that to happen for him but it doesn’t feel likely. The team might be smart to trade him right now.

A lot of teams would probably still buy in on his potential but the Rangers don’t have time for that anymore.

If they can get something for him in a big deal, they should consider it. You never know what they might be able to get in return for a kid who has tons of skill but may need a change of scenery.

(Photo by Rich Graessle/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rich Graessle/Getty Images) /

New York Rangers. Alexis Lafreniere. 13. player. 95. . FWD

Alexis Lafreniere needs to step up or be traded by the New York Rangers.

One year after winning the lottery for the second overall pick, the New York Rangers won the number one overall pick thanks to some luck from the way the NHL did the lottery in 2020.

That gave them the right to draft Alexis Lafreniere. With the Roumouski Oceanic, Lafreniere was one of the most hyped-up prospects in the history of the NHL.

He had more hype than Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Rasmus Dahlin who came right before him as number-one picks and all three of them have been significantly better so far.

Lafreniere is far from a bust. A bust is someone who can’t even play in the NHL. Lafreniere is just a solid middle-six forward right now and that is not what the Rangers needed at that time.

Knowing how good Tim Stutzle, Jack Quinn, Dawson Mercer, and Seth Jarvis amongst others from that draft are, it makes it even worse.

Lafreniere probably needs a change of scenery and the Rangers could probably still get something great for him based on his potential. They should trade him right now.

New York Rangers, Filip Chytil #72. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
New York Rangers, Filip Chytil #72. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Filip Chytil. 72. player. 95. . FWD. New York Rangers

The New York Rangers may consider moving on from Filip Chytil for more help.

Let’s make it three for three on the kid line. It might be smart for the New York Rangers to consider trading Filip Chytil. He is a good young player that could be moved for help in other areas.

He has developed a tad bit better than Kakko and Lafreniere but he still hasn’t reached the level that the Rangers thought he would by now. At 23 years old, there is still plenty of room to grow.

In 2022-23, he had a career year. In 74 games played, he had 22 goals and 23 assists for 45 points. Those are all, including games played, career highs.

Like the first two on this list, there would be plenty of teams looking at his potential and considering it if he were made available. With a change of scenery, you might see him get better and better as the years go on.

The Rangers have not done that well with developing these high draft picks. With their window where it is, it might be smart to make more of a “win now” type of trade.

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