To say the New York Rangers have exceeded expectations to start the season is an understatement. 11 games into the campaign, the Rangers have a 7-3-1 record for 15 points thus far, good enough for second place in the Eastern Conference entering Wednesday. Not to mention, the Rangers are currently 6-0-0 at home thus far, which is a far cry from last season where they couldn't buy a win at Madison Square Garden.
While it's still early in the season, there is a lot to like from the Rangers thus far. Yes, they may not have Igor Shesterkin for the rest of the season due to a knee injury, they are still playing at a high enough level where they are making some noise. Perhaps, the Rangers are getting closer to becoming a destination for the stars again.
Well, not quite just yet for one star — former Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin.
Dylan Larkin reportedly expands trade wish list to 10 teams, and Rangers still didn't make the cut
NHL fans are well aware of the Larkin trade saga. After the Red Wings missed out on the playoffs for the 10 consecutive season, Larkin officially demanded a trade out of Detroit, stemming from the lack of winning and a strained relationship with general manager Steve Yzerman. Larkin initially told the team he would only accept a trade to the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, and Vegas Golden Knights. That then led to a standstill, as neither of those three teams had the assets the Red Wings wanted to trade away their top center.
The Rangers were interested in Larkin, but he was not interested in joining them. But did they make the latest cut? No.
On Tuesday, The Detroit Free Press' Helene St. James reported (subscription required) that Larkin has expanded his trade wishlist to 10 teams. Those teams include the Panthers, Wild, Golden Knights, Dallas Stars, Carolina Hurricanes, Utah Mammoth, Tampa Bay Lightning, Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals, and New Jersey Devils.
So yet again, the Rangers didn't make the cut for Larkin. It is interesting that he would be open to joining three rivals in the Metropolitan Division, the Hurricanes, Devils, and Capitals. The Hurricanes, as of Wednesday morning, have the best record in the Eastern Conference. The Capitals, obviously, went all in this offseason to try and build a Stanley Cup contender. Then there are the Devils, where Larkin would reunite with USA teammate Jack Hughes after they won Olympic gold back in February.
While the Rangers have two top centers in Mika Zibanejad and J.T. Miller, they could still add more depth, especially with Joe Veleno out long-term with an injury. Still, it's incredibly early in the season, so who knows if they'd even make that move. But the fact that Larkin still isn't considering the Rangers as a destinations shows they still have work to do.
Rangers still have a ways to go to become a destination for the stars
The Rangers have always been able to lure a superstar player to their organization, whether its via free agency or through the trade block. But in recent years, it has been difficult, considering the Rangers missed out on the playoffs the previous two seasons. Not to mention that last campaign, the Rangers finished in last place in the Metropolitan Division.
This offseason, the Rangers tried to convince Brady Tkachuk to accept a trade to New York, but he opted to instead join his older brother Matthew in Florida.
The mission was obvious for the Rangers and general manager Chris Drury, and that was to build a winning team. Once that happens, than they could once again be an enticing destination for superstar players. It may only be a small portion of the season, but the Rangers have looked impressive across the board early on. The fact that they have 15 points in 11 games, with Shesterkin out for the season after the sixth game, is encouraging.
It may take a longer track record this season before the Rangers can be that attractive landing spot again.
Add us as a preferred source on Google