An Oilers – Rangers trade that didn’t happen
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Multiple sources have confirmed that back at the 2016 entry draft the Edmonton Oilers and New York Rangers had discussed a trade that would have sent defenseman Ryan McDonagh to the Oilers for the fourth-overall pick. The Rangers would have then drafted Clayton Keller.
There were other pieces involved in the ‘potential’ trade. The Oilers were the side that didn’t want to go through with the deal.
The Rangers were talking to other teams as well about McDonagh. It is believed that were targeting Colorado Avalanche forwards Nathan MacKinnon or Gabriel Landeskog.
No contract negotiations between the Rangers and Hayes but extension idea is still open
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Rangers and Kevin Hayes will need to decide if they are going to do a long-term deal or if the Rangers will explore a trade for the pending UFA.
Neither side has shut the door on a potential extension.
There have been no contract extension talks between GM Jeff Gorton and Hayes’ agent Bob Murray. The sides have been in constant contact though.
The Rangers will be shopping Hayes to see what his trade value is, which may not be settled until some of the bigger options are possibly moved: Matt Duchene, Mark Stone, Artemi Panarin, Brayden Schenn and perhaps Vladimir Tarasenko.
Gorton would need to get more than a late first-round draft pick for Hayes to move him.
Hayes knows that his name is going to come up leading up the trade deadline. He wants to stay but knows it’s out of his hands for now.
“Obviously it’s going to come up a lot more now than it has, and there has been more chatter about who needs what, who needs a center, and all that, but I’ve been able to keep my mind pretty clear,” Hayes told The Post following Sunday’s practice. “Everybody knows when the trade deadline is and what that means. Anyone who says otherwise isn’t telling the truth.
“At the same time, everybody knows how I feel about wanting to stay. I’ve loved my five years here. I love the organization, the guys, the staff, the city, the fans. I really can’t see myself anywhere else. But it’s also kind of out of my hands.”
An extension could be in the five- or six-year range and around $6 million per year.