The New York Rangers find themselves walking a fine line. The organization wants to inject youth into the roster without committing to a full rebuild, all while staying competitive in the present.
That balance is difficult to strike. The Blueshirts are built largely around veterans, with a handful of young players beginning to emerge. Because of that, it seems unlikely the Rangers could trade away established players for picks or prospects without taking a noticeable step backward in the standings.
Still, there may be opportunities to improve the roster in less obvious ways. According to Rangers insider Vincent Mercogliano, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov, who has reportedly grown unhappy with his current situation.
Mercogliano outlined the idea in a December 27 piece for The Athletic:
“New York should be targeting young players with scoring upside, speed and years left of team control. Chinakhov is a bit of a reclamation project, but at least he checks all of those boxes.”
Chinakhov fits the profile of a player the Rangers could benefit from. The 24-year-old has yet to fully break out in Columbus, though that may be more reflective of the system than his individual ability.
With Mike Sullivan behind the bench, the former 2020 first-round pick could thrive in a more structured and sheltered role. While patience would be required, the potential upside makes him an intriguing option.
Rangers Could Find Great Value in Chinakhov for the Right Price
Chinakhov has been mentioned in trade rumors throughout the season. Prior to the campaign, the Russian winger requested a trade from Columbus, though the Blue Jackets have not yet accommodated that request. Even so, it seems likely the situation will need to be addressed.
That is where the Rangers could come into play. Chinakhov’s contract expires after this season, and he will become a restricted free agent with a $2.1 million qualifying offer. Given those circumstances, Columbus may opt to move him rather than risk losing leverage.
If New York could acquire Chinakhov for a late-round draft pick, the move could make sense. However, paying a premium for a player still trying to establish himself would be difficult to justify.
Blueshirts Need to Get Younger Moving Forward
Whether Chinakhov is the answer or not, the Rangers clearly need to continue getting younger. Prospects such as Gabe Perreault, Matthew Robertson, and Noah Laba have already helped move the roster in that direction.
Even so, the team remains heavily veteran-driven. That approach can work in the short term, but over time it risks leading to decline. If not addressed, that decline could force the organization into an unwanted rebuild.
Neither the fan base nor the front office wants to endure a full teardown, which could take years to recover from. Instead, general manager Chris Drury’s best path forward may be retooling on the fly, accepting some short-term regression in hopes of opening another competitive window.
As a result, this season’s trade deadline could be pivotal. The Rangers have a chance to push for a playoff spot while gradually reshaping their roster for the future.