The New York Rangers are doing whatever they can to finally eclipse the Eastern Conference Finals and compete for a Stanley Cup. They've won two games in the East Finals in two of the last three postseasons but haven't gotten any closer. Their previous trip to the Stanley Cup Final was in 2014, and they haven't won the storied trophy since 1994. Despite being in the league since 1927, they've won the league championship just four times, with three coming before 1940. There isn't much the Rangers can do to improve their team with minimal salary cap, but some trade candidates on their roster could fetch a good return.
It looked like it'd finally be the Rangers' year in 2024. They finished the regular season by winning ten of their last 13 games, then seven straight to begin the postseason. They swept the Washington Capitals convincingly and began the Carolina Hurricanes series with a surprising 3-0 lead. The Hurricanes climbed back into the series with two wins, but the Rangers finished the job on the road to take on the Florida Panthers. They held a 2-1 lead over the Panthers in the series before dropping three straight to lose in six.
It's easy for the Rangers to chalk up the loss to competing with an unstoppable force. The Panthers were dominant all season, and there shouldn't be any shame in losing to them in six games. However, some clear players underperformed during the playoff run.
What is going on with Jacob Trouba?
The insiders shocked everyone when rumors started circulating about Jacob Trouba being on the Rangers' trade block. The captain has been a steady presence on the Rangers' blueline for the last five seasons, but his offensive numbers dropped in 2023-24. Trouba isn't paid for his offensive abilities, but his advanced defensive metrics are also dropping. The leadership factor helps Trouba, but his $8 million salary cap hit is hard to swallow for a team that needs to squeeze every bit of value out of their team to get them to the finals.
A Trouba deal seemed likely until reports that he wouldn't move his no-trade clause due to factors at home. Trouba signed in New York because his wife is practicing medicine and had an opportunity in a local medical facility. The couple also had a newborn child, meaning a trade would split the family due to his wife's commitments. We questioned whether Trouba would welcome a trade to his hometown with the Red Wings or a nearby location like Buffalo. They seemed like viable options, but nothing has materialized.
Trouba seems set on staying with the Rangers, so they may have to eat the contract and hope his poor play from the playoffs won't continue.
Kaapo Kakko continues to disappoint
The Rangers drafting Kaapo Kakko in 2019 seemed like a reach at the time. There were other players with a bit more of a floor the Rangers could have selected, as they already were on the path to being contenders. A player like Dylan Cozens, Kirby Dach, or Bowen Byram would have been a great fit as a depth player on this current roster. New York decided to swing with Kakko, and the results haven't been great.
It looked like he turned a corner in 2022-23 when he tallied 40 points in 82 games. The production still wasn't adequate for a second-overall pick, but it was better than the alternative of prior seasons when he barely recorded 20. However, Kakko returned to his previous form in 2023-24 when he had just 19 points in 61 games.
The Rangers could have used any production from Kakko in the postseason to get them past the Panthers. They gave him plenty of opportunities to make a difference, but he had just one goal and one assist. If the Rangers are looking for a reason why they can't get past that final hurdle, Kakko's disappointing career has to be the catalyst.
Is Matt Rempe a dark horse trade candidate?
Matt Rempe took the hockey world by storm in 2023-24. The hulking 6-foot-8 center impressed old-school fans with his booming hits and propensity to fight. Some people wondered if his style of play was sustainable, as he was getting beat up almost every night. The referees also began to turn on Rempe, penalizing him for minimal offenses to try and quell his controversial play.
It got to a point where Peter Laviolette stopped dressing Rempe in the playoffs, fearful he would put the team in a bad position on a penalty. Rempe's stock will never be higher than it is coming into this season, and there has to be a team in the league fooled by his fighting spirit. Rempe could be fighting for a spot in the league in one to two years. If the Rangers are smart, they may want to strike while the iron's hot.
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