November 25, 2024 | 11:40am ET
TheFourthPeriod.com
TROUBA, KREIDER IN PLAY FOR RANGERS?
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Chris Kreider, forward
The New York Rangers are not happy being out of the top-3 in the Metro Division, despite their 12-6-1 record.
The Blueshirts sit two points back of the Washington Capitals for third in the Metro, with one game in hand, and the expectations this season were to battle for the division crown, currently held by the New Jersey Devils, who have played four more games and are four points up.
Following Saturday’s 6-2 loss, the Rangers made it known to the rest of the NHL that they are willing to explore a roster shakeup and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Monday morning that both Jacob Trouba and Chris Kreider’s names have started to swirl around the League.
Friedman indicated the Rangers are “interested in making moves,” though a timeline has not been set in terms of when Rangers GM Chris Drury wants to pull the trigger.
“Among the names indicated are Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba, although other options will be considered,” Friedman reported on X.
Trouba, 30, owns a 15-team no-trade list as part of his contract, which comes with an $8 million salary cap hit and expires after the 2025-26 season.
He is no stranger to trade speculation, as his name has popped up in trade discussions going back two seasons. The Rangers tried to move him this past summer but were unable to do so.
In the aftermath of their 6-2 loss in Edmonton on Saturday, the Rangers have made it very clear they are interested in making moves and shaking up their roster.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) November 25, 2024
Among the names indicated are Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba, although other options will be considered.
Kreider, 33, has two more years on his contract after this season and owns a $6.5 million cap hit. He also has a 15-team no-trade list as part of his deal.
TFP’s David Pagnotta acknowledged Monday morning on TSN690 in Montreal that Kreider’s name had been floating around over the weekend and that could be an attempt by the Rangers “to light a fire under him.”
The Rangers are 12th in the NHL in goals-for per game, but would like to add more offence to their group if the right deal falls into place. Kreider has scored nine points, all goals, so far this season.