There wasn’t a whole lot of action for the Rangers during the NHL draft this past weekend because the organization isn’t focused on picks or prospects, just what the 2024-25 team is going to look like, which is business better suited for the first day of free agency on Monday.
July 1 was always supposed to be the date Blueshirts president and general manager Chris Drury could really begin retooling anyway, especially since it’s the day captain Jacob Trouba’s no-move clause turns into a 15-team no-trade list.
Indeed, the Rangers’ desire to move on from their third captain in the last decade has echoed around the NHL.
It’s been everywhere, with more and more private details of the situation spilling out into the public eye.
The Post’s Larry Brooks reported Drury was working on a trade that would send Trouba to Detroit, which would allow the veteran defenseman to return to the state where he grew up and played a year of college hockey.
Plus, his buddy and one-time Ranger Andrew Copp is there, too.
Trouba’s no-trade list could derail any plan, but it’s hard to imagine a better scenario for the 30-year-old.
Anything is better than remaining in a place you are no longer wanted.
As the countdown to Trouba’s departure ticks, the only other player who is loudly rumored to be on the trading block is Kaapo Kakko, who last month agreed to a tradeable contract at his qualifying offer price of $2.4 million.
Otherwise, Monday will be about the free-agent market for the Rangers.
The Rangers will not get their coveted reunion with Patrick Kane after the 35-year-old forward agreed to a one-year deal to remain in Detroit.
A second act on Broadway for Kane would’ve been welcomed by a Rangers organization that understandably wasn’t satisfied with his first stint in Manhattan in the second half of the 2022-23 season.
Nevertheless, Kane will look to help the Red Wings end an eight-year playoff drought next season.
Other notable forwards expected to be available and potentially draw interest from the Rangers include longtime Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, as well as wingers Jake DeBrusk and Tyler Bertuzzi.
The Rangers will likely check in on DeBrusk, who can play both wings, but they won’t overpay.
If Trouba is on his way out, however, Drury is going to have to make up for the loss of a player who logged 21-plus minutes a game, killed penalties and brought a physical presence to the back end.
That and presumably find another third-pair defenseman to replace Erik Gustafsson, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent.
Lefty Nikita Zadorov is an enticing player to look into after the 6-foot-6, 248-pound defenseman had a strong playoff performance with four goals and four assists in 13 postseason games with the Canucks.
TSN’s Darren Dregor reported the Canucks went as high as $5 million in their offer to Zadorov and that wasn’t enough, so it’s difficult to imagine the Rangers paying more than that — especially if they end up having to retain some of Trouba’s salary.
All will be much clearer Monday night.
That’s when the real business begins for the Rangers.
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