New York Rangers: 4 teams that may want to add center by trade deadline

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NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 05: Vladislav Namestnikov #90 of the New York Rangers carries the puck amid pressure from Dennis Seidenberg #4 of the New York Islanders during the second period at Barclays Center on April 5, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The New York Rangers will likely be sellers at the 2019 trade deadline. Which teams will be calling about their veteran centers?

It’s no secret that the New York Rangers were trying to deal one of Ryan Spooner or Vladislav Namestnikov before and after this year’s NHL Draft. In fact, there was a time where everyone around the team, be it the fan base or the media, expected one of the two, if not both, to be off the roster come training camp.

But here we are, just weeks away from camp and both players are sitting pretty with new, matching two-year contracts. Both players figure to be somewhere in the Rangers’ middle-six going forward.

But it is definitely within reason to believe that the team will continue to shop the two 2018 trade deadline acquisitions. General manager Jeff Gorton wants both players to get off to quick starts so they can boost their trade value from where it’s at now; the cellar.

Gorton knows that, for the second straight year, the Rangers will be trade deadline sellers, looking to add future draft picks and prospects to their already growing prospect pool. And there will be plenty of playoff contenders looking to add some center depth to their middle-six. And that’s where the Rangers could pounce.

Who are those teams, and what are some reasonable assets that can be offered for the Rangers’ veteran pivots?

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