The Rangers got a third-line center on Wednesday, giving up a 2024 second-round pick and a conditional 2025 fourth-round pick to the Kraken for Alex Wennberg. It was a move to fill a need, with the Rangers trying to patch together a third line months after losing Filip Chytil for the season due to a concussion.
Wennberg is not Chytil — the 29-year-old center has just nine goals this season despite playing second-line and power-play minutes — but Wennberg is an upgrade over what the Rangers had.
Now comes the next void to fill, if GM Chris Drury can swing it: For a third straight trade deadline, Drury is looking to add a wing to slot in alongside Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider.
There are still plenty of candidates available to do that and Drury still has some assets to make a trade happen. Along with roughly $ 2.91 million in cap space after Seattle retained half of Wennberg’s $4.5-million cap hit — and that space would grow by $820,000 or so if the Rangers added a wing and sent down either Adam Edström or Matt Rempe — the Rangers have their first-round picks this year and next, plus a decent crop of mid-level prospects.
NEWS: The Kraken have traded forward Alex Wennberg to the Rangers for a second-round draft pick in 2024 and a fourth-round pick in 2025.
The Kraken are sitting fifth in the Pacific Division at 28-23-11.https://t.co/V0BGfKhPsa
— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) March 6, 2024
Now, Drury will certainly prefer to hold onto his first-round picks. But the Rangers have sold off their second-rounders for the next three drafts, plus their third-round picks this year and in 2025. If the Rangers want to add an impact forward in the next 30 hours or so, that might cost a first.
Here’s who they could choose from:
Frank Vatrano — It might seem silly to send a first to Anaheim for a player that the Rangers acquired for a fourth-round pick two deadlines ago, but Vatrano has blossomed since his last Rangers stint. He’s not a particularly ardent defender but he did fit in well with Zibanejad and Kreider in 2021-22 and that top-six Rangers duo has been pretty silent all year at five-on-five. Ducks GM Pat Verbeek doesn’t have to move Vatrano, who has a year left at an affordable $3.65-million cap hit. That extra year might convince Drury it’s worth spending to find more than a short-term fix for the top line this time around.
Jake Guentzel — The Rangers have been mentioned as one of the potential suitors for the Penguins’ high-scoring wing, but it’s a hard fit to envision. Guentzel has only played left wing in his Pittsburgh years, not the right side where the Rangers have a need. And whose spot on the top power-play unit is Guentzel taking? The Penguins have been rumored to be asking for high-end prospects, not picks, for the chance to rent Guentzel and there’s zero chance the Rangers are giving up Brennan Othmann or Gabe Perreault in any deadline deal. Kaapo Kakko is off-limits as well. So this trade between division rivals feels like a very long shot.
Tyler Toffoli — The Devils are in a tailspin and Toffoli, who has had a decent season with 26 goals so far, appears to be on the move before Friday. A Rangers-Devils trade might be a shock, but Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald gladly took the Islanders’ 2021 first-round pick for Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac. A first for Toffoli is steep, but he fills the void quite nicely.
Jordan Eberle — Another forward not worth a first to rent, but one who could fit in well with Zibanejad. Would be hard to see Drury circling back to Seattle GM Ron Francis and making a separate deal for Eberle after spending his last second-round pick for the next three years on Wennberg. If you’re giving up a first for a rental, you’d probably have wanted the package deal and also Eberle seems inclined to stay in Seattle beyond this season.
Pavel Buchnevich — Never say never, right? The Blues may be willing to eat some cap on the year remaining on Buchnevich’s deal, according to a report, but the cost remains sky high. This would cost a first-rounder for sure and you can bet Blues GM Doug Armstrong is asking for more than that.
Jason Zucker — He’s been a strong playoff performer for the Penguins in past years so maybe you can overlook the 9-16-25 stats so far with the Coyotes. But no way you’re giving up a first here and it’s hard to see where the Rangers could maneuver for Zucker without a second- or third-round pick in any upcoming draft.
Anthony Duclair — Not quite at the same tier as the top guys on this list, but he’d be a cheaper addition and brings some speed to a team that could use it. Maybe not an ideal fit with Kreider and Zibanejad either, but if the Rangers are still shopping in the final minutes before 3 p.m. on Friday, he could be worth a flier.
Kevin Labanc —Two goals in 37 games doesn’t scream top-six wing, does it? An even lower-cost lottery ticket than Duclair, his Sharks teammate.
Tyler Motte — Third time’s the charm, come on! Just kidding, wanted to see if you’re still paying attention.
The Rangers have a need and they have the cap room to add. Assets are an issue now, though, and Drury will have to get creative to make his next move.
(Photo of Alex Wennberg: Christopher Mast / NHLI via Getty Images)
