The New York Rangers are almost certain to offload another player or two in the coming days. After announcing that the club will undergo a retool, New York traded Artemi Panarin before the NHL roster freeze went into effect. This freeze, however, is set to be lifted on February 23. Because of this, trade discussions between teams are now likely amping up.
Perhaps the most prominent player set to be dealt is Rangers star Vincent Trocheck. The center is under contract for the next three years, but is unlikely to stick around for New York’s rebuild. It was previously revealed that the Rangers are looking for a significant package to let go of Trocheck. This potential return includes a first-round draft pick and prospects/young NHL-ready players.
The frontrunner in the Trocheck sweepstakes still appears to be the Minnesota Wild. The star is well aware of the links and even recently pretended to take a team photo with Wild players and staff while at the Olympics. The Athletic’s Vince Mercogliano was recently asked about what a Trocheck return would look like from the Wild.
According to the beat writer, the Rangers could very well land a first-round pick, prospect Charlie Stramel, and a secondary piece. Mercogliano answered the hypothetical question on his podcast, The Flying V. He believes that the final piece may be a mid-level defenseman prospect or even a mid-round pick. Stramel was Minnesota’s first-round selection in 2023 and is currently excelling at Michigan State University.
Young Center Would Boost New York Rangers Underwhelming Prospect Pool
GettyCharlie Stramel has 38 points in 28 NCAA games in 2025-26.
If this particular package does get the job done regarding Trocheck, Stramel would become one of New York’s top prospects. This, however, does not exactly say much. At the start of the 2025-26 season, ESPN rated the Rangers’ system as the 19th-best prospect pool in the league.
This was at a time when Gabe Perreault and Scott Morrow were seen as the two top prospects in the organization. Nevertheless, the duo has underperformed in recent months. Perreault is likely seen as more of a middle-of-the-lineup player, while Morrow has struggled in the NHL since arriving from the Carolina Hurricanes.
To put the situation into perspective, Mercogliano rates Stramel as a B+ level prospect at the moment. The youngster, however, is mostly deployed as a center, and the Rangers certainly need help at that position. Although acquiring Stramel would boost New York’s prospect pool, Mercogliano believes that the Rangers will likely only get highly-ranked prospects via the draft.
Rangers may hold out to Receive Best Possible Offer
The Wild, however, is also not the only team to be linked with Trocheck. Outside of Minnesota, the Detroit Red Wings and the Hurricanes are likely involved in the discussions as well. Trocheck previously played two full seasons in Carolina before joining the Rangers in the summer of 2022.
The Red Wings are particularly notable in the situation because they may be able to beat the Wild’s offer. Unlike Minnesota, Detroit has a first-round draft pick in 2026. They also have a very deep prospect pool, and Trocheck previously spent time in Detroit as a teen.
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