Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury issued another letter to the fanbase, the first such message in eight years. With the team sitting last in both the Metropolitan Division and the Eastern Conference at the midway point of the season, significant change now feels unavoidable.
Chris Drury’s most recent letter to Rangers fans represents an uncommon moment of transparency from the front office, arriving eight years after his last public message of this kind. With the Rangers anchored to the bottom of the Metropolitan Division and the Eastern Conference standings, the letter signals that the organization is ready to shift from messaging to meaningful action. Drury acknowledged that players who were central to the team’s recent success, including pending free agent Artemi Panarin, could be moved as part of a broader plan to retool the roster. As the trade deadline draws closer, the Rangers appear poised to reshape the lineup, potentially parting with several core pieces while turning their attention toward the future. For fans, the letter serves as confirmation that a difficult but necessary transition period may be underway.
As the Rangers prepare to operate as sellers, these are the players the organization will be moving.
- Artemi Panarin
The first name on this list comes as no surprise. Artemi Panarin has been the Rangers’ most dangerous and productive forward since arriving in New York, averaging more than a point per game over seven seasons. In 478 appearances with the club, Panarin has posted 204 goals, 400 assists, and 604 points, placing him among the most prolific scorers in franchise history.
Panarin played a major role in guiding the Rangers to two Eastern Conference Final appearances and became the first Ranger since Jaromir Jagr to reach the 100 point mark in a single season. His elite skill level, steady offensive output, and engaging personality have made him a favorite among fans.
Despite his importance to the organization, the combination of a looming roster reset, his age of 34, and his upcoming unrestricted free agency make a trade increasingly realistic. That possibility was strongly hinted at in Drury’s recent letter to the fanbase.
Expected Return: First round pick plus a top level prospect
Potential Fits: Avalanche, Hurricanes, Stars
- Carson Soucy
Defenseman Carson Soucy is another Ranger who appears likely to be moved at the trade deadline. Like Panarin, Soucy is set to become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, making him a logical candidate for a deadline deal. He has delivered a solid defensive campaign, showing dependability at even strength, on the penalty kill, and in physical matchups. That profile should allow the Rangers to recover an early or middle round draft pick, likely in the second or third round.
Soucy offers size, physicality, and a left handed shot, traits that tend to appeal to contenders searching for defensive depth. He projects as a reliable third pairing defenseman who can handle difficult minutes and allow top players more offensive freedom. Moving Soucy would also provide cap flexibility and open opportunities to pursue younger players or additional draft assets, fitting a retooling or rebuild approach. For a playoff bound team, he represents a relatively low risk addition who could stabilize the blue line down the stretch.
Expected Return: Second round pick or third round pick
Potential Fits: Oilers, Red Wings, Stars
- Vincent Trocheck
Center Vincent Trocheck may be one of the most valuable players potentially available on the trade market. Signed during the 2022 offseason, he has been a foundational piece of the Rangers roster over the past four seasons and has arguably been their most complete forward.
Trocheck is a strong two way player who excels in the faceoff circle and brings edge, playoff experience, and leadership. With a cap hit of 5.6 million dollars and three years remaining on his contract, he would draw considerable interest from contending teams if made available.
His ability to slot anywhere from the top line to a depth role gives teams lineup flexibility, further boosting his value. While trading Trocheck would be a tough decision given his popularity with fans, the return could be substantial and help the Rangers add draft picks and young talent as they reshape the roster.
Expected Return: First round pick plus a top level prospect
Potential Fits: Wild, Sharks, Lightning
- Alexis Lafreniere
Alexis Lafreniere remains one of the most debated players on the Rangers roster. Taken first overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, he entered the league with enormous expectations that he has not fully met.
Across six NHL seasons, Lafreniere has recorded 102 goals and 119 assists for 221 points in 430 games. He has never surpassed 28 goals in a season, has reached 20 goals only once, and owns a career high of 57 points, set during the 2023 to 2024 campaign. While he has shown flashes of strong play, including a solid showing during the 2024 postseason, his overall production has fallen short of what is typically expected from a first overall selection.
The 2023 to 2024 season marked a high point, as Lafreniere set career bests with 28 goals and 57 points. That performance earned him a seven year contract worth 7.25 million dollars annually. Since signing the deal, however, his play has regressed, raising questions about his long term ceiling in New York.
Lafreniere is clearly an NHL caliber player, but he now projects more as a middle six forward than a true top line cornerstone for the Rangers. A trade could benefit both sides, offering Lafreniere a fresh start and giving the Rangers an opportunity to recoup assets. Another organization may be willing to gamble on his draft pedigree and potential, providing New York with a pick or comparable player in return.
Expected Return: Late first round pick or a comparable player in a similar situation
Potential Fits: Canadiens, Oilers, Senators
