The New York Rangers, currently in their Stanley Cup contention window, are considering a trade to strengthen their defense, according to a recent pitch.
PuckPedia’s new tool, PuckGM, allows users to create trade scenarios, and one user suggested a significant deal involving the Rangers acquiring Shea Theodore from the Vegas Golden Knights.
Proposed Trade:
– Rangers receive:
– Shea Theodore
– Grigori Denisenko
– Golden Knights receive:
– Reilly Smith
– Braden Schneider
– 2025 first-round pick
This potential trade is intriguing as it would see the Rangers making a strong push for the Stanley Cup, while Vegas would benefit from getting younger players and acquiring a valuable first-round pick.
Shea Theodore, a key player in the Golden Knights’ 2022 Stanley Cup win, is entering the final year of his seven-year, $36.4 million contract. Last season, he contributed 42 points in 47 games, with 5 goals and 37 assists.
Grigori Denisenko, a first-round pick in 2018 by the Florida Panthers, has struggled to secure a full-time NHL role, with 7 assists in 32 games. However, he could provide depth to the Rangers’ lineup.
Braden Schneider, a 22-year-old defenseman drafted in the first round of the 2020 NHL draft, would potentially replace Theodore as a solid second-pairing defenseman for Vegas.
Meanwhile, Reilly Smith, recently acquired by the Rangers to boost their offense, would return to Vegas, where he was part of their 2022 Stanley Cup-winning team.
Rangers GM Hints at Major Offseason Changes:
Following their loss to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Finals, Rangers GM Chris Drury hinted at significant offseason changes to improve the team and achieve their ultimate goal.
Despite a relatively quiet offseason, with the acquisition of Smith and the signing of Sam Carrick, Drury emphasized that the team is exploring all options.
Golden Knights Face Player Losses:
The Vegas Golden Knights experienced a challenging offseason, losing star players Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson, and Alec Martinez in free agency, along with William Carrier, Michael Amadio, and Anthony Mantha.
Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon expressed the difficulty of losing these key players but acknowledged their rights as unrestricted free agents. Last season, Vegas was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Dallas Stars.
