New York Rangers Stock Market: Post-trade deadline edition
Now that the dust has settled after the NHL Trade Deadline, where does that leave the New York Rangers?
Normally, the stock market focuses on the New York Rangers’ performance as a team during games. However, for this installment, we decided to take a look at what the Rangers did at the NHL Trade Deadline, which occurred on Monday, February 25th at 3:00 PM EST.
The first major New York Rangers trade that took place involved fan-favorite Mats Zuccarello. The Rangers received a conditional second-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and a conditional third-round pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
The other big deal the New York Rangers made, this time occurring on “deadline day”, involved Kevin Hayes. The forward was sent to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for a 2019 first-round pick, a conditional 2022 fourth-round pick, and Brendan Lemieux.
The final deadline deal the Rangers made was less significant than the others. Adam McQuaid was sent to the Columbus Blue Jackets, with Julius Bergman, a 2019 fourth-round pick, and a 2019 seventh-round pick coming back to New York.
Which players’ value rose, resulting in them getting traded? Which players’ value stayed the same or decreased, resulting in them not getting traded?
Rather than our usual stock market “up” and “down” labels for each slide, we used modified labels for the trade deadline! Players who were successfully dealt will have the label “traded” on their slide, while players who stayed with the New York Rangers will have “safe” on their slide.
Traded: Mats Zuccarello
Although many fans were upset at the Mats Zuccarello deal – which is natural, considering how much he meant to the New York Rangers organization – there was no reason to be upset with the return. The team is stacking up their draft picks, and it will help them expand their farm system throughout the rebuild.
In addition, the conditions on these picks sweeten the deal even further; if the Stars win two playoff rounds (and Zuccarello plays in at least half of the games), this year’s second-round selection becomes a first. If Zuccarello re-signs with the Stars, next year’s third-round selection becomes a first as well.
The Oslo, Norway native has already recorded one game with Dallas, where he notched his first goal and assist, his first two points as a Star. Unfortunately, he blocked a shot during that game that injured him.
It is believed that he broke his arm, and will be out for about four weeks,. The forward opted to undergo surgery on Tuesday, February 26th.
His first two points with Dallas added to his already great offensive season. In fact, in his final six games with the Rangers, he had seven points (two goals and five assists).
The forward currently has 12 goals and 27 assists for 39 points this season. Though his injury, will definitely set him back, I think I speak for most (if not all) Rangers’ fans when I say that he deserves all of the success in the world, and it would be amazing to see him thrive with Dallas in the playoffs.
Safe: Henrik Lundqvist
It has always been common knowledge that Henrik Lundqvist wants to be a New York Ranger before he wants to be anything else. When he was reportedly asked to waive his No Move Clause last season, when the rebuild began, he refused.
Rather than being uncooperative, this was shown as a sign of commitment to the team. “The King” seems to want to be here with the Rangers for the rest of his career, whether competitive or not.
It’s clear how much this goaltender loves his team, but is he hurting the organization by wanting to stay? Could the Rangers become better by entertaining offers for the veteran?
According to David Pagnotta of SiriusXM Radio, at least one team approached New York about acquiring Lundqvist. NHL Network also added fuel to this fire, while other sources claimed that the report was false.
NHLNetwork is saying Columbus inquired on Henrik Lundqvist.
— Travis Yost (@travisyost) February 25, 2019
The "Columbus called the Rangers about Lundqvist" rumor never happened. #NYR
— Rick Carpiniello (@RickCarpiniello) February 25, 2019
Either way, Lundqvist seems to continue to be here to stay in New York for at least the remainder of his current contract. It’s interesting that at least one team (reportedly) cared enough to inquire about him, though.
But, for better or for worse, Henrik Lundqvist is, and will continue to be, a New York Ranger. He survived yet another trade deadline!
Traded: Kevin Hayes
Like the Zuccarello deal, many New York Rangers fans were distraught at the idea of Kevin Hayes leaving the team. Their thoughts aren’t invalid, though.
Considering how great of a season he was having, it was hard to watch the forward go. However, many saw it coming; there was a number of warning signs, from the one-year deal to the rumors.
Though it hurts to see such a skilled player go, the return makes it worth it, like with the Mats Zuccarello trade. Two picks and a player can go a long way.
The picks are obviously going to be helpful in coming years, whether they stay in New York or are traded for bigger assets down the line or to move up in the draft order. Lemieux, though his NHL numbers thus far haven’t been too promising, seems to have some potential, being called a “hard-nosed” player who could light up the bottom-six.
Furthermore, the 2022 fourth-round selection turns into a first-round pick if the Winnipeg Jets win the Stanley Cup. So, there’s at least a small chance of that happening too.
Hayes was a favorite here in New York, and I’m sure hw ill be missed for years to come. Fans can be at peace knowing that he’ll have a great shot at going deep in the playoffs this season, and the return will be helpful in the future.
Safe: Chris Kreider
Henrik Lundqvist wasn’t the only member of the New York Rangers who had trade rumors swirling around him on “deadline day.” Teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Nashville Predators reportedly showed interest in Chris Kreider.
At least as of this morning, Tolvanen is not available in exchange for a rental. If Rangers want him, it will cost Kreider. Predators apparently not in on Hayes, have interest in Zuccarello, as do Flames, Penguins, others.
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) February 23, 2019
However, the Rangers front office must have decided that they didn’t wanna give up their Boston College alum; or, at least, not yet. On one hand, it would make sense to sell off Kreider with the rest of the team’s larger pieces, like Zuccarello and Hayes, or even McDonagh and Miller from last year.
On the other side of the coin, the Rangers simply can’t leave the team without any veteran offense. Or, more realistically, they can’t leave Mika Zibanejad to carry offensive production on his own.
So, keeping Chris Kreider might be a necessity, at least for right now. It doesn’t seem like he’ll be going anywhere until at least some time into the offseason.
Rangers did get Julius Bergman in the McQuaid trade. And no, they're not trading Chris Kreider. #NYR
— Rick Carpiniello (@RickCarpiniello) February 25, 2019
However, according to some quotes from Jeff Gorton, the course of action for the New York Rangers and Chris Kreider may be clearer than we think. He seemed to drop hints that there would be discussions continuing over the summer about whether or not there is a future for the forward with the Blueshirts.
Gorts on Chris Kreider:
— Colin Stephenson (@ColinSNewsday) February 26, 2019
"Chris has been really good for us... As far as what we’re going to do with him, he’s been a real good Ranger and we’ll leave it like that. Obviously, he’s got another year on his contract, and this summer we’ll be able to talk to him and we’ll do that.''
Next. There was no need to boo Ryan McDonagh. dark
While it’s fun to speculate, Kreider is in a situation somewhat similar to that of Henrik Lundqvist right now. They are both on the Rangers for the time being, and for at least the rest of this season; anything else still remains to be seen.