Rangers Daily: Why trade Trocheck; McDavid downplays possible injury

TL;DR

Trade interest for Rangers center Vincent Trocheck is expected to rise as teams look to strengthen after early playoff exits. General manager Chris Drury did not trade Trocheck before the deadline, citing insufficient offers.

Key points

Trade interest for Vincent Trocheck is expected to rise.
Chris Drury did not trade Trocheck before the deadline.
Drury anticipates a stronger market for Trocheck this summer.
Colin Stephenson questions the rationale behind trading Trocheck.

New York RangersVincent Trocheck

Elliotte Friedman reported recently on his 32 Thoughts podcast that trade interest is going to spike soon for New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck.

That’s because “someone who’s gonna lose early (in the Stanley Cup Playoffs) is gonna say ‘you know what … we could use Vinny Trocheck.'”

The Rangers, of course didn’t move Trocheck ahead of the March 6 NHL Trade Deadline, despite holding him out of the lineup for roster management, because general manager Chris Drury didn’t — couldn’t — get the offers he wanted for the veteran center. Drury explained there should be an even more robust market for Trocheck this summer.

We’ll see if that’s how it plays out for the Rangers and Trocheck. But Newsday beat reporter Colin Stephenson offered up a different angle on Trocheck, questioning why the Rangers would trade a player who fits the type team Drury is trying to build — albeit at an advanced age.

“If this is the kind of player you want to get, you have him [already], so why [trade him]?,” Stephenson told Forever Blueshirts on the Rink Rap podcast. “Obviously, if you trade a 33-year-old Vincent Trocheck and get back a 23-year-old Vincent Trocheck, that can build into that, then that’s why you would do it. If you can trade a 33-year-old Vincent Trocheck and get a 23-year-old Vincent Trocheck prototype, lookalike, plus something else — a first-round pick or something — I guess you do it.”

Though Stephenson believes Trocheck will be dealt this offseason, he detailed further why the popular alternate captain who plays in every important game situation remains a good fit with the Rangers.

“I was not in favor of trading Trocheck at the deadline because he represents what you want to be,” he explained. “He’s gritty, he’s straight-line, he wins face-offs, kills penalties, he’s great in the locker room, good leader, and doesn’t make a ton of money. He’s not overpaid. He’s on a good-value contract (three more years at $5.625 million annually).

Of course, Stephenson also argued that the Rangers need a talent upgrade in their top-six forward group. Perhaps trading Trocheck can help you achieve that goal, too?

Q&A

Why is Vincent Trocheck's trade interest increasing?

Vincent Trocheck's trade interest is increasing as teams that exit the Stanley Cup Playoffs early may seek to acquire him to bolster their rosters.

What did Chris Drury say about trading Trocheck?

Chris Drury indicated that he did not receive satisfactory offers for Trocheck before the trade deadline but expects a stronger market for him this summer.

What are the implications of trading a player like Trocheck?

Trading Trocheck could allow the Rangers to acquire younger talent or valuable assets, but it raises questions about team strategy and player fit.

What did Colin Stephenson suggest about Trocheck's trade value?

Colin Stephenson suggested that if the Rangers could trade Trocheck for a younger player with similar attributes and additional assets, it might be a worthwhile move.