New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury's decision to retain center Vincent Trocheck at the NHL trade deadline may have panned out. With the free agent market shrinking significantly, Trocheck is easily the top center available for teams in search of one, and the Rangers should be getting plenty of calls. If there is a bidding war, the Rangers would benefit.
It was reported on Monday that the Montreal Canadiens were in talks with the Rangers for Trocheck. Now, there is another Canadian team that has emerged as a potential trade partner with New York for Trocheck.
The New York Post's Mollie Walker reports that the Toronto Maple Leafs have recently inquired with the Rangers about Trocheck. This comes as their second-line center, Max Domi, is dealing with complications from back surgery.
The Leafs are an intriguing trade partner for the Rangers when it comes to Trocheck. Even though Toronto is coming off of a brutal 2025-26 season like New York, they are seemingly going all out to try and build a contender around Auston Matthews. Bringing in Trocheck should help them, but what could the Rangers get in return from the Leafs?
Maple Leafs could offer an enticing trade package to Rangers for Vincent Trocheck
In terms of draft capital, the Leafs hold the No. 1 overall pick, but let's be real, they are not moving that pick. The Leafs shockingly won the NHL Draft Lottery and now have a chance to add Gavin McKenna to their forward group. But what could the Leafs offer?
Walker mentions that the Leafs hold a second-round pick this year, a first-round pick in 2027 that belongs to the Colorado Avalanche, and a 2029 first-rounder. It's important to note that the Leafs don't hold their own 2027 first-round pick due to it belonging to the Boston Bruins after the Brandon Carlo trade.
It's been reported since the deadline that Drury is seeking a young, NHL-ready player in return for Trocheck. Walker mentions forward Nick Robertson and prospect defenseman Ben Danford as potential targets. But then, there is Matthew Knies, who would be the ultimate get for the Rangers, but Walker says it might be difficult to convince the Leafs to part ways with him.
Let's start with Knies. Along with Trocheck, Knies is believed to be one of the top forwards available on the trade market if the Leafs were to make him available. Let's not forget at this year's trade deadline, the Maple Leafs were considering trading Knies. Now, there is a new front office in place with John Chayka and Mats Sundin leading the way. Chayka has said that only Matthews is untouchable, so that opens the door for Knies to get dealt.
Knies is 23 years old and just came off of a career season, scoring-wise. In 79 games, Knies scored 23 goals, while recording career-highs in assists (43) and points (66). He'd fill the need of a young, legitimate top six forward for the Rangers. Plus, Knies is under contract through the 2030-31 season with an annual salary of $7.75 million. It would take a lot of convincing for the Leafs to part with Knies for Trocheck, but you never know what could happen. A bidding war could make for an incredible return package in a trade.
Robertson is just 24-years-old, but is more of a bottom six option for any team he ends up on. For the Rangers, scoring depth should be a priority, but getting Robertson as a main piece in a Trocheck return won't exactly entice fans. This past season, Robertson had a career-year, scoring 16 goals and 16 assists while averaging 12:40 of ice time through 78 games.
Finally, there's Danford, who will likely make it onto the Maple Leafs next season if he stays put. Danford, Toronto's 2024 first-round pick, has spent most of his time in the OHL, whether it be for the Oshawa Generals or Brantford Bulldogs. He is a right-shot defenseman who could slot in behind Adam Fox if he is part of a trade package from Toronto for Trocheck.
With Oshawa, Danford recorded one goal and three assists in eight games before getting traded to Brantford. In 37 regular season games, Danford recorded two goals, 14 assists, and a plus-12 plus/minus rating. In 13 playoff games for Brantford, Danford has one goal and two assists to his credit.
For Drury, it would be best to continue fielding the trade market for Trocheck, as more teams could emerge. Of course, Trocheck does carry a 10-team no-trade clause, so that is something worth keeping in mind. If the Maple Leafs do emerge as a favorite, Danford is an interesting prospect they could acquire in return for Trocheck. But if they could somehow get Knies out of it, it could be a massive return for the Rangers.
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