The 2023-24 NHL season ended disappointingly for the New York Rangers. After finishing with the best record in the league in the regular season, their postseason run ended short of the Stanley Cup Finals.
The eventual champion Florida Panthers eliminated the New York Rangers in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals. After running through the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes in the first two rounds, New York’s high-scoring offense was stifled by Florida.
Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad were both held in check. They only recorded points in Game 5, with Kreider having one goal and one assist and Zibanejad having zero goals and two assists.
With Igor Shesterkin playing at a remarkably high level in goal, the focus this offseason for the New York Rangers should be upgrading where possible in front of him. Getting shut down as they did in the Eastern Conference Finals will lead to changes being made.
Who could they be targeting? In a recent update of NHL offseason buzz over at ESPN, it was shared that former player Patrick Kane could be in their sights once again. A trade involving their captain, defenseman Jacob Trouba, is also a possibility.
“There are more stories bubbling about the Rangers, ranging from exploring a Jacob Trouba trade to a possible reunion with Patrick Kane. I heard GM Chris Drury met with Trouba, whose no-move clause becomes a 15-team no-trade list on July 1, recently to discuss his future. A trade is hardly guaranteed, but the team is exploring options,” Emily Kaplan wrote.
In addition to that, Kaplan has heard that New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury wants to clear cap space. The end goal, in Kaplan’s estimation, is to acquire some younger players.
Alas, at this point in the offseason, everything is fluid for the Blueshirts. They are one of the best teams in the NHL but haven’t been able to get over the hump in the postseason. Something is missing and Drury is going to spend the offseason trying to find that missing piece.
One player who could be used as trade bait to find that upgrade is Kaapo Kakko. Ahead of the deadline, he was not made available, but things are changing this offseason. His representatives and the New York Rangers both believe that a change of scenery could be best.
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