Looking at the New York Rangers trade assets and who might be interested
Larry Brooks of the New York Post: Contract talks between the New York Rangers and the pending free agents Mats Zuccarello and Kevin Hayes have gone nowhere.
Term appears to be the main issues for the agents and not necessarily the money. Contract extensions are off the table and it appears unrealistic that a July 1st reunion is possible.
The 31-year old Zuccarello was looking for a five-year deal, with the 27-year old Hayes looking for a six- or seven-year deal.
The market has been on hold awaiting the dominoes to fall.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have shown interest Hayes and Matt Duchene.
The Winnipeg Jets have shown interest in Hayes, Mark Stone and maybe Zuccarello.
The Nashville Predators are interested in Zuccarello and Duchene.
The Boston Bruins are interested in Zuccarello, Hayes, Stone, and maybe Panarin.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, Bruins and Predators have shown interest in Chris Kreider but were told he’s not available unless they were blown away – a William Nylander or Charlie McAvoy.
Both Adam McQuaid and Vladislav Namestnikov are drawing some interest. The Tampa Bay Lightning could use both.
Chris Nichols of Nichols on Hockey: Elliotte Friedman on his 31 Thoughts podcast was talking about the New York Rangers and some of their tradeable assets.
Friedman says that in late 2018 there wasn’t a lot of interest in Zuccarello, but he’s turned things around and they will get something for him.
“Hayes, the Boston one is really interesting. I think Columbus is on him too. I know we’ve talked a lot about Duchene, but I wonder – if Nashville does not get Duchene done for any reason, I wonder if they go for Hayes. And Winnipeg is still there. There was a time I think the Rangers started to look at this and say, ‘This is really slow.’ I think it’s picking back up on Hayes.”
Friedman isn’t sure if Adam McQuaid is someone that Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas would be interested in. Maybe the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Rangers seem to think they will get a decent pick for him
