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Has Vincent Trocheck Been Disappointing This Season

By Lucas Standel |
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 03: Vincent Trocheck #16 of the New York Rangers carries the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period at Madison Square Garden on January 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images )
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 03: Vincent Trocheck #16 of the New York Rangers carries the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period at Madison Square Garden on January 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images )

Vincent Trocheck was the big free agent signing for the Rangers this past summer. He was given a seven-year contract and was promised the role of second-line center and a chance to play with Artemi Panarin. While his numbers have been to be expected for his career, something just hasn’t clicked for him yet. As we enter the second half of the season, Trocheck will need to improve his overall game if the Rangers want to make a run in the playoffs.

In 50 games this season, Trocheck has 14 goals and 34 points. These are the numbers expected from Trocheck and he has played well offensively and defensively as his face-offs have been over 50%, which is also to be expected as he has been consistently over 50% in the face-off circle in his career. Trocheck has also been a fixture on the top power-play unit, replacing Ryan Strome who left for Anaheim.

The Rangers’ power play was top-five last season, but this season has been going through hot and cold streaks. The power play is currently ranked 17th in the league which is a problem as the Rangers need the power play to click in order to help make the offense go. Trocheck has also not been a major part of the power play. He gets goals here and there, but he has not been a key part of the power play.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 03: Vincent Trocheck #16 of the New York Rangers carries the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period at Madison Square Garden on January 03, 2023, in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images )
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 03: Vincent Trocheck #16 of the New York Rangers carries the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period at Madison Square Garden on January 03, 2023, in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images ) /

A major concern for the team and for Trocheck is that he has not fit in well playing on a line with Artemi Panarin. Panarin and Strome had such wonderful chemistry and fans immediately thought that Trocheck would find that same chemistry because who wouldn’t play with Panarin.

This has not been the case as they have been separated numerous times this season and have played better on different lines with other players. Trocheck was supposed to be the next second-line center, but he is currently being outplayed by Filip Chytil, which is great but will also be a problem in the future.

Chytil has been on fire since the start of 2023 and while this is good for the team and the player, it could pose a problem as the Rangers enter the summer. Chytil will need a new deal and if he keeps playing at this level, he will get a significant raise. The Rangers are going to be cap-strapped and Trocheck’s deal is part of the problem. The Rangers could have signed another center on a shorter term and with less money and that player could have been a placeholder for Chytil as he grew into the second-line center.

Granted, nobody knew Chytil would be this good and the Rangers wanted to fill the gap and get a certified center to replace Strome. This contract they gave Trocheck could cause the Rangers not being to sign Chytil.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 12: Vincent Trocheck #16 of the New York Rangers (C) celebrates his powerplay goal against the New Jersey Devils at 13:58 of the second period and is joined by Chris Kreider #20 (L) and Adam Fox #23 (R) at Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2022, in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 12: Vincent Trocheck #16 of the New York Rangers (C) celebrates his powerplay goal against the New Jersey Devils at 13:58 of the second period and is joined by Chris Kreider #20 (L) and Adam Fox #23 (R) at Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2022, in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Trocheck has been a good player for the Rangers this season. He has provided good offense and solid defensive play and will be a key player going into the playoffs. However, if he is not able to find more chemistry with Panarin, his contract will become a problem in the future. For now, let us hope for the best and see if Trocheck can become an even better player for the Rangers.

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