Report: Rangers Now Set To Land Another NHL Top Player prior to deadline
The New York Rangers are reportedly in talks to acquire center Alexander Wennberg, who is currently not playing for the Seattle Kraken due to “trade-related issues.” Additionally, Larry Brooks of the NY Post has echoed reports from Forever Blueshirts indicating that Frank Vatrano of the Anaheim Ducks is a top target for the Rangers.
According to a source familiar with the situation, there is ongoing interest in Vatrano, but the Rangers may need to offer enticing assets to persuade Ducks GM Pat Verbeek to make a deal. Verbeek is not inclined to trade Vatrano without receiving fair value in return, as he’s not willing to part with him without significant compensation.
Rangers may be getting traction on Wennberg…In addition, told NYR have more interest in Vatrano than Henrique….
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) March 4, 2024
Rangers working on trades
Alexander Wennberg, aged 29, has recorded 25 points (nine goals, 16 assists) in 60 games so far this season. The New York Rangers, alongside the Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche, have shown interest in acquiring Wennberg. Arthur Staple suggests the Rangers might involve a third team to lower Wennberg’s average annual value (AAV). One proposed scenario involves sending a second-round pick and a prospect to Seattle for Wennberg, while sending a fourth or fifth-round selection to another team, potentially reducing Wennberg’s cap hit to as low as $1.125 million.
#NYR could use a third team to get double retention on Wennberg to keep the cap hit down to $1.125m… 2nd and a prospect to SEA/4th or 5th elsewhere could get it done
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) March 4, 2024
On the other hand, Frank Vatrano is viewed as a player who could rejuvenate Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider’s scoring at even strength. Vatrano has achieved a career-high of 29 goals in a previous All-Star season and has one more year left on his contract with a $3.65 million AAV, indicating he’s not a rental player. However, the price for Vatrano is deemed high, with Elliotte Friedman noting that Anaheim Ducks GM Pat Verbeek has a history of holding firm on his desired trade returns. Initially, the Rangers were informed that their 2024 second-round pick combined with either prospect Brett Berard or Matthew Robertson might be sufficient to acquire Vatrano, but recent reports suggest that a first-round pick may now be required.
Additionally, the Rangers are reportedly eyeing an upgrade over defenseman Erik Gustafsson, with Joel Edmundson of the Washington Capitals being a potential target. Edmundson, aged 30, has played 44 games this season, tallying six points (one goal, five assists). As a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) with a $1.75 million cap hit, salary retention could potentially lower his cost. Offering a defensive prospect like Matthew Robertson or Zac Jones could facilitate a deal. Edmundson’s experience includes winning the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019 and appearing in the Stanley Cup Final in 2021 with the Montreal Canadiens.