In the last two games, the New York Rangers have been held in a game by Igor Shesterkin in Calgary and followed that up by shipping six to the Edmonton Oilers. New York is developing a tendency to struggle against the best teams in the league, and the defense has been a complete disaster. With some great talents like K'Andre Miller, Adam Fox, Zac Jones, and Braden Schneider, it is unacceptable that the Rangers have such defensive issues.
There has been a lot of criticism directed at Jacob Trouba and Ryan Lindgren, who have struggled to get up to speed this season. Trouba is always going to receive criticism because he has one of the worst contracts in the entire league. Lindgren has not been the same since coming back from injury, and the two defensemen have struggled to get into the thick of the action with the Rangers.
Now, off the back of that drubbing in Edmonton, Chris Drury is looking to shake the roster up and is considering moving players like Lindgren, Trouba, and Chris Kreider, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. With the Rangers looking for a fresh feel to a stagnating roster, keep an eye on these three players, as they could be going out the door. Lindgren is the easiest of the three to move because of his deal, while Kreider is probably the best player.
In the aftermath of their 6-2 loss in Edmonton on Saturday, the Rangers have made it very clear they are interested in making moves and shaking up their roster.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) November 25, 2024
Among the names indicated are Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba, although other options will be considered.
Many fans have recently wanted to see Mika Zibanejad put on the chopping block and move out the door, but the issue with Zibanejad is his contract. He makes $8.5 million for another six years, Trouba makes $8 for another two years, Kreider makes $6.5 million for another few years, and Lindgren makes $4 million until the end of the year. It makes Lindgren the easiest to move.
Now, the fact that management is growing weary of the stagnation of the roster is a good sign. We know the Rangers need a fresh feel to the lineup, and Drury will try to provide that. Where the issue lies is who you move to. Zibanejad and Kreider both have full no-movement clauses, Trouba has a modified no-trade clause, and Lindgren doesn't have any protection but isn't a piece of the core like the other three are. It wouldn't have the same effect.