It is not a secret that the New York Rangers are in a state of transition. Rangers general manager Chris Drury made it clear in a letter to the team’s fans during the season that the Blueshirts were starting a retool. It was not difficult to understand why, as the Rangers struggled mightily yet again this campaign.
Drury has stayed true to his words about the Rangers retooling, as he traded away multiple players during the campaign. Artemi Panarin (Los Angeles Kings), Carson Soucy (New York Islanders), Brennan Othmann (Calgary Flames), and Sam Carrick (Buffalo Sabres) were all dealt by the Rangers.
Yet, with the Rangers still retooling, we should continue to see them make moves during the offseason. Because of this, the Rangers are now being urged to make two blockbuster trades during this summer. One move would involve trading away one of their top forwards, while the other would have them land one of the NHL’s best trade candidates.
Rangers Urged to Trade Trocheck And/Or Miller, Strike Deal for Robert Thomas
In a recent article for Bleacher Report, Adam Gretz urged the Rangers to trade Vincent Trocheck and/or J.T. Miller this offseason if they end up landing the No. 1 overall pick for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. In addition, Gretz then argued that the Rangers should also make a push for St. Louis Blues star center Robert Thomas in a separate move.
“If they win the lottery (they have an 11.5 percent chance), the Rangers should focus on moving one of their veteran centers (specifically Vincent Trocheck and/or J.T. Miller if they could find a taker for that contract) and then make a play for somebody like Robert Thomas to give them a more impactful center,” Gretz wrote.
When it comes to Trocheck, there is certainly a real possibility that he will get moved. It is no secret that the Rangers were shopping the 32-year-old center leading up to the trade deadline. Therefore, it would not be surprising if they listened to offers for him again. With the veteran being a proven top-six center who contributes offensively and plays a heavy game, he should generate a ton of interest from contenders during the summer.
However, with Miller being the Rangers’ captain and having an $8 million cap hit until the end of the 2029-30 season, a move centering around him feels more unlikely. However, he also recorded 53 points in 68 games this season and has a strong resume, so some teams could have him on their radar.
Rangers Have the Perfect Trade Target in Blues’ Robert Thomas
As for Thomas, he would be a massive pickup for a Rangers club that is retooling. If they acquired him, he would be a long-term part of their core and their new first-line center. This is because Thomas has an $8.125 million cap hit until the end of the 2030-31 season. He is also just 26 years old, so he would fit perfectly on a retooling Rangers club.
Thomas could be the kind of player who helps the Rangers get things back on track immediately next season if acquired. In 64 games this season with the Blues, he had 25 goals and 64 points. This was after he had 81 points in 70 games in 2024-25 and 26 goals and 86 points in 82 games with St. Louis in 2023-24.
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