The New York Rangers are a part of the long list of teams that are in the seller's market. This season has not gone the way it should have, and the next step is to completely tear this roster down and start anew.
With that being said, the Blueshirts might have an interesting possible trade on their hands, and it is a rare one indeed. Can they sell to another team in the "sellers" category and actually turn a profit?
It is no secret that President and General Manager Chris Drury is shopping defenseman Braden Schneider around, but with no such luck yet. He might have to turn to a team that is just as bad, but also willing to invest in the 24-year-old defenseman.
Enter the St. Louis Blues and General Manager Doug Armstrong to entertain this kind of deal.
Schneider to the Blues?
This is an interesting case, as the Blues are actively selling most of their core group. Robert Thomas is one of the biggest prizes at the trade deadline, as well as Colton Parayko and Justin Faulk. Their team is getting older and these contracts, attached with No-Trade Clauses, are getting harder and harder to move, as evident in the Parayko/Buffalo interaction.
The Blues are ultimately trying to rebuild their roster around young talent. They have an influx of prospects coming in, as well as a few pieces that have taken major strides this season, despite the team being one of the worst in the NHL. This is where trying to grab a young NHLer might help them tremendously, and in turn, it could help line the Rangers' pockets.
A deal for Schneider to go to St. Louis from New York would be a steep one, and it might not be possible. St. Louis is not going to trade Thomas for Schneider straight up, and Drury wouldn't add in a draft pick or two to make it happen. But Schneider could wind up going for some draft capital, like a first-round pick and a third-round pick, for this upcoming draft.
That alone is worth it, as it seems like No. 4's tenure has reached it's peak in this franchise's future. The Rangers themselves are going to be completely rebuilding, and Schneider stands a good chance of not lasting through it.