Final Rangers trade deadline predictions and who is next after Panarin in Letter 2.0

With the Olympic medals awarded and the NHL’s trade freeze officially lifted, front offices wasted little time reigniting the market. Several teams with playoff aspirations have already begun posturing for a stretch run, including an early trade between the Colorado Avalanche and Pittsburgh Penguins involving defensemen Samuel Girard and a second-round pick for Brett Kulak.

As the March 6 deadline creeps up, the New York Rangers remain at the center of the conversation. Armed with the biggest trade chip and multiple movable veterans, New York is a team to keep an eye on.

Here are my predictions for how the Rangers navigate the 2026 NHL trade deadline.

Trocheck dealt as Rangers capitalize on his value

Vincent Trocheck checks every box teams covet when playoff hockey arrives. He is productive, plays with edge, wins draws, and can be trusted in all situations. He is essentially a head coach's dream come April.

While it can be assumed that Trocheck further elevated his stock during Team USA’s gold-medal run, his value was already established.

It’s speculated that the Minnesota Wild have been circling Trocheck for weeks. Minnesota’s aggressive posture, highlighted by its blockbuster acquisition of Quinn Hughes, suggests a franchise fully committed to finally making a deep push into the postseason.

The Rangers’ center fits an obvious hole in the Wild roster, as they continue to search for a proven player down the middle of their lineup.

The challenge, however, lies in finding a proper package. The Rangers’ ideal return would begin with 22-year-old forward Danila Yurov, but the Wild appear to have little willingness to part with him.

That reality shifts the focus toward Charlie Stramel, whose development has surged this season at Michigan State. After a lackluster start to his collegiate career at Wisconsin, Stramel has emerged as one of the most impactful forwards in the NCAA year two as a Spartan, sitting just outside the top-10 in scoring (19G, 21A) while reestablishing his swagger he was once known for.

Stramel would likely anchor any deal, but this would not be a one-for-one swap. The Athletic’s Vince Mercogliano states on The Flying V podcast, New York is expected to obtain multiple prospects – in addition to draft capital.

It is also worth noting that Stramel was selected two picks before the Rangers chose Gabe Perreault in the 2023 NHL Draft – and Stramel is the prototypical Drury player.

While teams like the Detroit Red Wings, Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars and even the Penguins expect to be in the mix, Minnesota ultimately makes the most sense. Bill Guerin and Chris Drury share both a working relationship and the necessary assets to execute a deal.

Prediction: Vincent Trocheck to Minnesota in exchange for Charlie Stramel, defenseman David Spacek and a 2027 first-round pick.

Schneider likely stays — patience remains the play

Braden Schneider’s name has surfaced repeatedly in deadline speculation, and for good reason. Right-shot defensemen with size and team control are among the most coveted assets in the league.

Drury still holds significant leverage. Schneider is under team control, and remains an affordable option for a team looking to solidify its blueline. He also seems to be highly regarded by the Rangers’ front office, so unless an offer overwhelms Drury — like a first-round pick plus a high-upside young player — patience appears to be the approach.

Several teams, including the San Jose Sharks, Red Wings and Bruins, could revisit Schneider closer to the draft, when cap dynamics and roster clarity change around the league.

For now, expect the Rangers to table discussions and reassess in the offseason, when more teams are open to joining the discussion.

Raddysh moved as Rangers clear roster space

Taylor Raddysh’s signing last summer raised eyebrows given the Rangers’ direction, but the winger has quietly delivered solid value. He has outperformed production expectations, highlighted by an early-season hat trick against San Jose, and provided reliable depth across multiple roles.

That versatility, however, also makes him expendable. With limited long-term fit in New York’s lineup, Raddysh represents a classic deadline asset — affordable, flexible and playoff-tested.

When combined with the Rangers’ growing pipeline of prospects, creating roster space becomes necessary to give incoming talent runway in the NHL.

Several contenders can express interest, but a reunion with the Washington Capitals stands out. Washington should prioritize depth as it balances win-now urgency with a team built for the future. Reacquiring Raddysh would help round out a team looking to get themselves into the dance.

Prediction: Taylor Raddysh to Washington in exchange for a fourth- and sixth-round pick.

As the deadline approaches, the Rangers remain positioned to not just  participate, but to shape the market. Whether through capitalization of Trocheck’s value, exercising patience with Schneider, or creating opportunity for young players by moving Raddysh, Drury will be changing the outlook of the organization.