The New York Rangers have officially started their roster by trading former captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a 2025 fourth-round pick.
Trouba has been rumored since last offseason, and things picked up again late last month when NHLer Elliotte Friedman announced that the Rangers were ready to make roster changes.
While the Rangers made their first big trade of the season, they likely aren’t done yet. For that reason, let’s discuss the three Blueshirts who could be traded next.
Related: It’s official: New York Rangers trade captain Jacob Trouba to Anaheim Ducks
Chris Kreider, LW
Chris Kreider is another notable Rangers player that Friedman reported could be on the move, so he’s an obvious player to watch.
Kreider (33) should arouse the interest of teams looking to add a winger to the top six. That’s because he’s a power forward who is a major scoring threat and throws his body. In addition, he had at least 36 goals in the previous three seasons. He’s on pace to do it again, too, with 10 goals in his first 22 games this season.
Related: Three potential trade destinations for Rangers’ Chris Kreider
Kreider has $6.5 million through the end of the 2026/27 season and has a no-trade list of 15 teams until the end of his contract.
Kaapo Kakko, RW
Kaapo Kakko is another Rangers winger who has the potential to deliver. NHL insider Darren Dreger recently reported that the name of the 2019 second overall pick has resurfaced on the trade market and could be moved.
Kakko, 23, is a lighter player for Rangers if they so desire. Unlike Kreider, he has zero trade protection and can’t block any potential move. He also has a reasonable cap hit of $2.4 million per season.
As a former top prospect, Kakko should garner interest throughout the league. In 24 games this season, the native of Turku, Finland has four goals, 13 points and a plus-10 rating.
Ryan Lindgren, D
Ryan Lindgren is another Ranger to watch this season. With the Rangers shaking up the roster and Lindgren a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA), he could be replaceable if they don’t consider him a long-term part of their plans.
If Lindgren is made officially available, he could be a popular target for teams looking for help on the left side of the defense. That’s because he can play even-numbered minutes at best and thrives on the penalty kill.
Lindgren, 26, has appeared in 20 games this season with one goal, four points, 32 hits and a plus-1 rating.
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