The New York Rangers and general manager Chris Drury took a gamble by not trading center Vincent Trocheck at the deadline this past season, instead opting to wait until the offseason. Trocheck is still a top target for teams, even with the addition of Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings on the trade block. Trocheck's contract is affordable, and the veteran can play offensively and defensively, while thriving in the face-off circle.
At the trade deadline, the Rangers helped out Trocheck, who requested he'd only accept a trade to an East Coast team. But with Trocheck signing Pat Brisson as his new agent, he seemingly has expanded his trade list to include Western Conference teams. One new team is one with plenty of Rangers roots.
The Athletic NHL insider Chris Johnston reported that Trocheck is open to including a few Western Conference teams as his no-trade list dwindles down to 10 teams. Rangers reporter for The Athletic Vince Mercogliano mentions the Los Angeles Kings as a potential team worth monitoring for Trocheck. That would see Trocheck reuniting with Artemi Panarin and Peter Laviolette.
Kings would be unideal Vincent Trocheck trade partner for Rangers
"Between Panarin being there and the hiring of former Rangers coach Peter Laviolette, you can see why Trocheck might have interest in L.A. But the Kings’ prospect pool is barren, so a deal would likely require including someone like 24-year-old New Jersey native Alex Laferriere," writes Mercogliano.
As Rangers fans all know, they did business with the Western Conference team earlier this year when Panarin indicated he would only accept a trade to them. Due to this, the Rangers' return was limited at best. While they did get a top prospect in forward Liam Greentree, they only received a 2026 third-round pick in return, while Panarin signed a two-year, $22 million contract extension.
Besides Greentree, the Kings' farm system isn't the strongest as compared to other teams across the NHL. The Athletic's Scott Wheeler ranked the Kings' prospect pool 27th out of the 32 teams, with their two top prospects being goalies. The Kings do have draft capital, holding four of their own first-round picks in each of the next four drafts. Not to mention, they have six second-round picks over the next four drafts as well.
Drury is looking for a young, pro-ready player as a center piece of a trade. While the prospect pool isn't great, Mercogliano brings up Alex Laferriere as a potential player in return. Laferriere is a top center for the Kings now that Anze Kopitar is retired. Laferriere had a 23-point rookie campaign in the 2023-24 season. But in each of the past two seasons, Laferriere put up over 40 points. Through his three year career, Laferriere has 52 goals and 57 assists to his credit.
Trocheck thrived under Laviolette. In the 2023-24 season, Trocheck was selected to the All-Star Game for the second time of his career. In 82 games, Trocheck recorded a career-high 77 points with 25 goals and 52 assists. In the 2024-25 campaign, Trocheck posted 26 goals and 33 assists in 82 games. Trocheck knows the offensive scheme that Laviolette implements, so he could potentially be able to put up similar production as he did playing under the head coach during his time with the Rangers.
While the Kings are a team worth keeping an eye on, that doesn't mean they'd be the best trade partner for the Rangers, especially when it comes to the potential return.
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