How Rangers trade plans improved when Blue Jackets re-signed center Coyle

Simply, if Trocheck is available in a trade, as expected, there’s no free-agent center that compares to him nor has his varied skill set. Evgeni Malkin and Claude Giroux are the big-name centers available in free agency. But at age 39 and 38, respectively, neither offers the overall package Trocheck does at this point in their careers. Scott Laughton of the Kings is a nice player, but his resume pales next to Trocheck’s.

And we know that most teams could use a top-nine center with a top-six skill set, like Trocheck, who’s a two-time NHL All-Star, and seven-time 20-goal scorer.

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

There was much speculation before the NHL Trade Deadline that Trocheck would be headed elsewhere, especially after he was held out of the lineup for roster management reasons in the game before the deadline. But when push came to shove, Drury opted not to make a trade, saying that the packages he was offered in return for one of the League’s best two-way centers weren’t good enough. The gamble was that he could get a better return this summer for a player who still has three seasons left on a contract with an affordable AAV of $5.625 million.

Trocheck, who turns 33 on July 11, scored at least 20 goals in each of his first three seasons on Broadway and had a career-high 77 points in 2023-24. Though he spoke openly about wanting to go to a Stanley Cup contenderand doubtlessly knew that the Rangers wished to move on from him in March, Trocheck played hard down the stretch and finished tied for fourth on the Rangers with 53 points this season (16 goals, 37 assists) in 67 games. He also won 56.9 percent of his face-offs – as well as helped the United States win a gold medal at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in February.

He’s probably the one veteran the Rangers could move who should bring back a solid return to help restock the roster and advance the retool.

Rangers should have lots of offers for Vincent Trocheck

So what exactly could they get for Trocheck, a player whose value is beyond question, but who will be entering his 14th NHL season when he reports to training camp in September?

Figure the package Drury wants starts with at least two pieces – a talented young player currently playing in the NHL, and/or one who’s NHL ready or a future first-round draft pick. The Rangers already have two first-round selections, including No. 5 overall, in this year’s draft, so Drury might seek a first-rounder next year instead.

The NHL-ready player could be someone like forward Liam Greentree, the key part of the return New York received in the Artemi Panarin trade with the Los Angeles Kings in early February. The 20-year-old was the Kings’ first-round pick (No. 26) in the 2024 draft, top prospect in their system, and turns pro next season.

Liam Greentree — photo courtesy OHL Images

But with the Rangers holding a reasonably priced blue chip in a center-poor market, expect Drury to look for more than he got for Panarin, whose no-trade clause limited the GM’s options. Trocheck has a 10-team no-trade clause for 2026-27 — but appears ready to move on, and even more so in the offseason than once the season is underway.

The Minnesota Wild, who were linked to Trocheck in trade talks before the deadline, are one possibility. They’re one loss from being eliminated by the Colorado Avalanche in the second round of the playoffs and need help down the middle. One issue could be that the Wild don’t have a first- or second-round pick this year, and no second-rounder in 2027 and 2028. But they do have some intriguing young talent on their NHL roster and in the pipeline.

John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Anze Kopitar’s retirement leaves the Los Angeles Kings with a glaring hole at center that Trocheck could fill while also being reunited with former linemate Panarin. The Kings have their first-round picks through 2029 and extra second-rounders this year and in 2028; they have a couple of good prospects on defense but not much up front – as well as an older roster. However, Trocheck said before the deadline that he wants to stay on the East Coast for family reasons.

Trocheck could help teams like the Chicago Blackhawks, Utah Mammoth and Seattle Kraken, young teams that need a solid veteran center with leadership skills to help them get back to the playoffs (Chicago, Seattle) or take the next step (Utah). Each has the requisitel return Drury is likely to want.

One thing’s for certain: With Coyle re-signed and no one near Trocheck’s caliber on the free agent market, the Rangers can expect plenty of phone calls from rival teams this offseason, that’s if Drury’s cell hasn’t been ringing plenty already.

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