The New York Rangers missed the playoffs this season, capping off a disappointing campaign and likely prompting changes to their roster.
Using PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool, one fan proposed a bold trade between the Rangers and the Edmonton Oilers that would send Chris Kreider to Edmonton in a major shake-up.
Proposed trade:
To Rangers:
- Darnell Nurse (with $1.8 million salary retained)
To Oilers:
- Chris Kreider
- Braden Schneider
- 2025 fourth-round pick (from Anaheim)
This hypothetical trade could benefit both sides. The Rangers would land a skilled, offensive-minded defenseman while shedding Kreider’s contract. The Oilers, in turn, would move on from Nurse’s sizable deal and gain a draft pick along with a promising young blueliner.
Darnell Nurse, who has five years remaining on an eight-year, $74 million contract, would slot into the Rangers’ top four and provide a boost on the offensive end. This season, he tallied 5 goals and 28 assists for 33 points across 76 games.
In exchange, the Rangers would part ways with Kreider, who struggled this year, finishing with 21 goals and 7 assists for 28 points in 67 games. He has two years left on a seven-year, $45.5 million deal and has been a frequent name in trade rumors.
The Oilers would also pick up Braden Schneider, a physical young defenseman who could help fill Nurse’s void. Schneider notched 6 goals and 15 assists for 21 points over 80 games this season.
Insider Expects Rangers to Move on From Kreider
Throughout the Rangers’ tough season, Chris Kreider’s name frequently surfaced in trade speculation, though he ultimately stayed put.
Now, following New York’s failure to reach the playoffs, Rangers insider Vincent Z. Mercogliano of Lohud believes a trade is likely this offseason.
“My sense is that the Rangers are heading toward an eventual split with their longest-tenured player, Chris Kreider,” Mercogliano wrote. “He’s been on the trade block since Drury included his name in that memo, and while the rumors have cooled in recent months, two sources familiar with the situation told lohud.com that the Rangers are still eager to move him.”
Kreider, who was selected 19th overall by the Rangers in the 2009 NHL Draft, has spent his entire career with the franchise and is a two-time NHL All-Star.
Kreider Didn’t Pay Attention to Trade Rumors
Chris Kreider was the focus of trade rumors during the season, but he says he didn’t pay much attention to the chatter.
As the Rangers struggled around the trade deadline, Kreider’s name frequently came up in speculation. Still, he says his focus remained on the task at hand.
“I’m not privy to that information. I worry about what’s right in front of me and right now it’s Winnipeg. Happy to be here, enjoyed my time here and I’ll continue to try to help this team win hockey games,” Kreider said on March 11.
Despite those efforts, Kreider and the Rangers ultimately missed the playoffs—just a year after finishing with the NHL’s best regular-season record and winning the Presidents’ Trophy.
“We had chances in the final 20 games to control our own destiny, and we didn’t take advantage,” head coach Peter Laviolette said. “That’s on us. We needed to be better… Every year, this team expects to compete for a Stanley Cup. The disappointment is real—from every angle.”
It marks the Rangers’ first time missing the postseason since 2021.