The New York Rangers are standing at a jagged precipice. Despite sitting just three points out of a Wild Card spot, the mounting injuries and inconsistent play have forced GM Chris Drury to consider the nuclear option: selling the core.
Here is the reality check fans need right now: Drury isn’t just looking for depth pieces. He is reportedly willing to move massive names, specifically gauging interest in Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad. With Panarin heading toward unrestricted free agency and Zibanejad’s contract weighing heavy, the Blueshirts might look drastically different by the trade deadline.
If you have been watching the Rangers lately, you know the vibe is off. It isn’t just the injuries; it’s the composition of the roster. As an analyst watching this team struggle to find a consistent identity, the latest reports coming out of New York suggest that the front office finally agrees.
The most explosive nugget in the rumor mill involves Artemi Panarin. The 34-year-old winger is a UFA this July. In a perfect world, he retires a Ranger. In the real world of a salary cap league, losing an asset of his caliber for nothing in the summer is a fireable offense. Insiders are already linking the “Breadman” to contenders like the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, and Detroit Red Wings.
My personal insight? This is the right move, but the execution is a nightmare. Panarin holds a full No-Movement Clause (NMC). He controls the board. If he wants to chase a Cup, he might waive it for a powerhouse like Colorado, but that limits Drury’s leverage. You aren’t getting a king’s ransom when the player dictates the destination.
The Mika Zibanejad Conundrum: Can Drury Move the Contract?
Then there is the elephant in the room: Mika Zibanejad.
We know Drury reportedly tried to move Zibanejad last season, only to be blocked by the center’s NMC. Zibanejad is currently in year four of an eight-year deal. While he is a fan favorite, his production has not matched the steep price tag recently. Drury is seemingly trying again, but let’s be realistic—getting a player to waive an NMC twice is rare. It feels like a stare-down between player and management.
Vincent Trocheck is a different story. With a limited 12-team no-trade list, he is the most “moveable” impact piece on the board. If Drury wants a shake-up that actually happens, Trocheck is the likely casualty, even if Zibanejad is the preferred departure.
Adding fuel to the fire, struggling youngster Brennan Othmann is also available. To me, this screams desperation. Selling low on a prospect like Othmann suggests Drury wants an immediate “hockey trade”—a player-for-player swap to salvage the season—rather than a full tear-down for draft picks.
The Rangers are walking a tightrope. One winning streak puts them in the playoffs; one bad week triggers a sale. But with Drury proactively gauging the market on his superstars, it sounds like he’s already got his finger on the detonator.
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