Elliott Freedman, a well known journalist, tweeted out on X/Twitter this morning that the Rangers are interested in trading some key players and shaking up the roster. The two names mentioned in the post were Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba, although the tweet mentions that other players could be involved. I think shaking up the roster is what the Rangers need, but I do think they need to think carefully about the consequences of trading some of these players.
Trading Kreider is a mistake the Rangers can't afford to make
Chris Kreider is a career Ranger, and a fan favorite. Kreider has played for the Rangers since 2012-2013. Three years ago, Kreider scored a career-high 52 goals, followed by 36 goals the next year and 39 goals last year. Kreider has been one of the best power forwards in the league, but this season has been different. Kreider has nine goals and no assists in 19 games. Not only that, the edge that was in Kreider's game is starting to disappear. Other teams are taking advantage of Kreider being slow and weak on the puck, similar to what's happening with linemate Mika Zibanejad. Still, Kreider isn't who needs to go. Kreider is making 6.5 million dollars a year, a bargain for a player that has scored more than 30 goals three years in a row. Zibanejad, who has been arguably worse this season, is making 8.5 million a year.
The obvious choice, in my opinion, is to trade Zibanejad. His contract is much more per year, and gives the Rangers some extra cap space to either extend Igor Shesterkin, or trade for other players that could help the Rangers this year. Even if they don't go that route, freeing up money gives them more wiggle room in free agency, an attractive option if the Rangers decide to move on from Peter Laviolette. More money in free agency gives the new staff a way to get the players they want, something that coaches looking for new teams will take into account.
Trading Trouba should've been done already
Trouba has been a poor defender this season, especially for one that makes $8 million a year. Trouba was brought to the Rangers because of his leadership and physicality. In his first few seasons, Trouba showed that in spades, fighting to get the team's energy up, landing big hits and being a player the locker room rallied around. Now, all of that is gone. In the playoffs last season, Trouba was playing injured, and it sure seemed like it. He was nowhere near the same player, and he will often get suspensions or fines for the hits that he throws out recklessly. Defensively, he's taken a big step backward this season too, and Trouba isn't a threat in the offensive zone either. Trade rumors circled everywhere during the offseason, but no moves were made. Trouba has six points, all assists, in 19 games.
Trouba should have been traded last season. The face that he wasn't was a disgrace, especially given how public everything got. The Rangers never should've given him as much as they did, and now it's becoming a problem, as no teams want to take on a contract of a player that doesn't match up to it. The Rangers will hopefully get a solid return back, but it might be too little too late. I also think other defenseman such as Ryan Lindgren and K"Andre Miller should be looked at for trades as well, although their contracts are much more team friendly. The two are also younger players than Trouba, so it does make more sense to keep them around.
All in all, the Rangers making moves to shake up the roster is what the team needed. In the last month, the Rangers have been struggling mightly. The team is playing with no motivation and no energy. A trade of this caliber may wake the struggling Blueshirts up.