On the New York Rangers …
- Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News: Rangers GM Jeff Gorton could have a quiet trade deadline due to a weak and expensive trade market. Leonard thinks are some options out there that could help them in the (near) future.It is thought that Kevin Shattenkirk would like to play with the Rangers one day. The Blues need some help up front and will likely have to trade from their blueline. Shattenkirk will be a UFA at the end of next season and will be looking for a big raise from his current $4.25 million cap hit. Blues GM Doug Armstrong would likely ask for Rick Nash or Chris Kreider. Nash has a limited no-trade clause and a $7.8 million cap hit.
Keith Yandle and his expiring contract may be Rangers best trade chip, though it may be hard to trade him if they are taking a run at the Cup. The Rangers are on Patrick Marleau’s trade list and they could use help on the blueline.
Leonard wonders if GM Gorton would offer Dylan McIlrath and a first round pick for Jonathan Drouin, and would Lightning GM Steve Yzerman go for it?
Andrew Ladd would be a perfect rental for the Rangers, but Gorton couldn’t justify trading a first round pick for a rental.
Dan Girardi and Marc Staal have no-trade clauses, which convert to limited no-trade clauses in 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively.
On the Boston Bruins …
- Michael Felger of CSNNE: The Bruins shouldn’t be interested in overpaying Loui Eriksson, and they should be looking to get something for him in a trade. GM Don Sweeney shouldn’t trade him for draft picks, but packaging Eriksson and other asset(s) for a young, quality defenseman. Felger thinks they should also look at trading Zdeno Chara, and anyone not named Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, David Krejci, David Pastrnak or Colin Miller. Sweeney should be open to anything.