New York Rangers Prospective Trades

Who Will Go Where and Why

The trade deadline is quickly approaching. With cap issues and a lack of ability to consistently win it is not a matter of if the New York Rangers are going to make changes to their lineup, it is a matter of when and how.

Jeff Gorton, the New York Rangers GM, can make several moves depending on what he wants to accomplish and for the most part they center around Keith Yandle, Dan Boyle and Dylan McIlrath. The Blueshirts can make several different plays with these three players.

Trade Yandle, keep Boyle and McIlrath
Trade Yandle, dump Boyle and keep McIlrath
Dump others to keep Yandle and McIlrath

Personally, the second option here seems best.

Why The Rangers Should Get Rid Of Dan Boyle

New York Rangers Keith Yandle and Dan Boyle

Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

It is well know that Alain Vigneault respects veterans and what they bring to the ice, which is why Boyle sees the playing time that he does. However, Boyle has not been productive in recent months and there are no signs of improvement.

Dan Boyle’s so-called “strengths” are setting up power-plays and creating offensive opportunities from the back-end, which are two things he has not accomplished in some time. To find the last time Boyle was present on the ice during a power-play, you would have to look all the way back to December 22nd. Dan has also been unable to record a single point during 5-on-5 hockey since December 30th.

The frustrating part about all of this is that every time Boyle is on the ice he is taking significant time away from McIlrath and Yandle who the Rangers seem to play better with. Boyle should be seeing his way out of MSG soon since he is an unrestricted free agent and has the ability to sign with any team that he wants, which makes Gorton’s life a little easier.

Keith Yandle or Dylan McIlrath

How Dylan McIlrath doesn't play every night I'll never know. JT Miller gets credit. 1-0 #NYR pic.twitter.com/SveVVuhK2w
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) January 26, 2016

If the Rangers organization wants to keep Yandle they can move other players around, such as Klein, but that does not seem likely. Keith looks like he is on his way out. He has not lived up to many Ranger fans expectations and will take up a lot of cap room if the Rangers decide to keep him.

If the Blueshirts thought of Yandle as a player who could help bring the cup back to MSG, then you would assume he would be featured as a star player and given significant playing time, but that just hasn’t been the case. This could be due to his lack of ice time, since he splits time with McIlrath and Boyle limiting his ability to produce at a high level.

For these reasons it is apparent to me that Gorton is looking to trade Yandle. For what is still unknown. The Rangers could either trade him for a younger, cheaper, up-and-coming player or try to find a team willing to give up a first round draft pick for him.