New York sports fans are currently consumed by the Knicks, who are on the verge of delivering the city’s first championship among the four major North American sports leagues in nearly 15 years. Meanwhile, their Madison Square Garden roommates — the New York Rangers — are stealthily preparing for a pivotal offseason.
The upcoming 2026 NHL Draft, which will be held on June 26-27 in Buffalo, will be a major focus for a team in desperate need of young talent, but there are other pressing tasks on Rangers president Chris Drury’s agenda, as well. At the top of that list: determining what comes next for Vincent Trocheck.
Drury attempted to trade the veteran center prior to the March 6 deadline but balked when no team met his high asking price. He strategically gambled that he’ll have a better chance of getting what he wants this summer — namely, a package headlined by a young player who’s ready to contribute right away and projects as a long-term core piece. Picks and/or prospects are also expected to be part of the deal.
The Rangers are still conveying that they won’t part with Trocheck unless someone meets those demands. But the expectation among multiple league sources is that a trade remains a high likelihood. Dragging this into next season, when Trocheck will be 33 and increasingly at risk of decline, represents too great a risk for an organization that lacks leverageable assets in its quest to acquire “tenacity, skill (and) speed.”
Many of the teams believed to have interest are the same as The Athletic reported in March, but others have emerged as potential suitors in recent weeks. The Montreal Canadiens are not one of them, according to a league source, who noted there has been no contact between the two clubs about Trocheck.
Trocheck’s 12-team no-trade list will shift to 10 on July 1, potentially adding two others to the mix, but the Pittsburgh native has publicly stated his desire to remain near the East Coast. That makes it unlikely for teams such as the Los Angeles Kings and Utah Mammoth — both of whom checked in on Trocheck during the 2025-26 season — to enter the bidding, though it’s worth noting that L.A. now has one of Trocheck’s favorite teammates (Artemi Panarin) and former coaches (Peter Laviolette).
Another potential hiccup is the pending trade request of Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin. He’s three years younger than Trocheck and has leapfrogged the New York veteran on the wish list of many center-needy teams. That could delay the process, with interested GMs opting to wait for clarity on Larkin before presenting their best offers for Trocheck. Still, given the underwhelming free-agent class, teams’ thirst for help down the middle, and Trocheck’s alluring contract value in a rising cap world (three years remaining at a modest $5.625 million per season), Drury should have opportunities to net a significant return.
In an effort to examine what that might look like, I tapped seven colleagues who cover possible Trocheck suitors to assess where their teams may stand in the bidding and come up with realistic trade proposals. I then responded with my thoughts on how the package would match up with what the Rangers are seeking.
Let’s dive in.
Boston Bruins
Trade proposal: C Matt Poitras, 2026 first-round pick (No. 23) and 2028 first-round pick (later of two picks owned by Boston and Florida)
Beat writer analysis: The Bruins are hunting for a No. 1 center. Trocheck does not exactly qualify, but he would give the Bruins another option to operate the middle by committee. Trocheck’s contract has value on the market, so the Bruins would have to send multiple assets to the Rangers. — Fluto Shinzawa
Mercogliano response: We know New York is aiming higher for the centerpiece in any Trocheck trade — after playing 33 games with the Bruins in each of 2023-24 and 2024-25, the 22-year-old Poitras has since struggled to stick in the NHL and even experienced a drop-off in AHL production this season — but two first-round picks make this proposal hard to say no to. Boston is uniquely positioned to surrender draft capital, holding five first-rounders over the next three years, and was the only team to offer multiple firsts in this exercise.
Accepting a deal that’s so heavy on futures would suggest the Rangers are shifting to more of a rebuilding mindset, which seems unlikely given how they’ve framed their retool intentions to this point. But this trade would give them six first-round picks in the next three drafts and offer a chance to replenish their prospect pool and/or use those assets for future trades. That feels like a sound strategy.
Buffalo Sabres
Trade proposal: RW Jack Quinn, 2026 first-round pick (No. 27) and RHD Vsevolod Komarov
Beat writer analysis: If the Sabres lose Alex Tuch in free agency, Trocheck could help replace Tuch’s leadership and special teams contributions. He’s also a strong faceoff guy, and the Sabres ranked last in the NHL in faceoff percentage this season. His cap hit is reasonable for the next few years, too. He’s probably not a No. 1 center, but he could help Buffalo. As with any trade, it only makes sense at the right cost.
The Sabres could put their first-round pick in play and also have some young NHLers who might be of interest to the Rangers, including Quinn and Peyton Krebs. A prospect like University of Minnesota winger Brodie Ziemer would make some sense, too. I could see the Rangers having some interest in Bowen Byram if the Sabres make him available in a trade, but that might require New York adding another asset. — Matthew Fairburn
Mercogliano response: This feels like a worthwhile deal that would check multiple boxes for New York. Quinn is a top-10 pick (No. 8 in 2020) who’s shown signs of coming into his own. The 24-year-old posted career highs in goals (20) and points (51) last season while grading out as a well-above-average skater (90th percentile in speed bursts between 20-22 mph, per NHL Edge). He’s being crowded out of the top six for an on-the-rise Buffalo team, but could give the Rangers the scoring right wing they need while satisfying their requirement for a young player with upside.
Add in pick No. 27 and Drury would have three 2026 first-round picks he can use to restock his barren prospect cupboard. I might counter by asking for a higher-rated D prospect than Komarov — the Sabres are loaded on the blue line and won’t be able to fit them all — but I could see New York valuing a physical, 6-4 righty who’s knocking on the door for an NHL opportunity.
Carolina Hurricanes
Trade proposal: RW Bradly Nadeau and 2026 first-round pick (either No. 31 or 32)
Beat writer analysis: It’s unlikely the Cup finalists will want to trade any young players currently on the roster, as all of Jackson Blake, Logan Stankoven and Alexander Nikishin have been key cogs in this playoff run and are considered vital future pieces. But Carolina also has multiple first-round picks in the coming years and top prospect Bradly Nadeau, who has had a strong year in the AHL. That alone could in some form be the makings of a reasonable Trocheck offer.
What the Hurricanes’ run to the Stanley Cup Final has proven is that the organization’s holes at center aren’t as pronounced as it previously felt, with Stankoven, at age 23, already logging big minutes down the middle. But the bigger question is going to be Jordan Staal, who turns 38 in the fall and only has one year remaining on his contract. Despite his herculean postseason, a succession plan will be needed at some point. Trocheck could be part of the answer in bridging the gap that Staal’s eventual decline or departure could create. — James Mirtle
Mercogliano response: The Eastern Conference champions balked at including one of their young roster players at the deadline and have been proven right based on their playoff success. It’s hard to imagine they’d up their offer this summer, especially if they capture the franchise’s second Stanley Cup.
That makes this feel like a take-it-or-leave-it situation, with Nadeau and a late first falling short of other proposals. The 21-year-0ld winger scored three goals in 12 games with Carolina this season and posted more than a point per game with AHL Chicago, but other teams here offered higher-rated prospects — many of whom play the coveted center position. Maybe the Canes could sweeten the pot with another prospect, such as winger Felix Unger Sörum or defenseman Dominik Badinka. But outside of adding a second first-round pick, which seems unlikely, I’m not sure that’d be enough to push this deal over the top.
Detroit Red Wings
Trade proposal: C Nate Danielson and LHD William Wallinder
Beat writer analysis: So much about this Red Wings offseason is up in the air with Larkin’s trade request. On one hand, it looks like they’re certainly going to need another top-six center to remain competitive. On the other hand, after losing Larkin, does it really make sense for them to give up a young, promising center such as Danielson to chase a 32-year-old Trocheck?
The answer likely depends on how determined Detroit is to stay competitive in the short term, or if Larkin’s impending exit makes them more keen to reset around a younger age bracket. There’s a real chance it’s the latter, and if so, their fit for Trocheck becomes less convincing. Detroit’s path to the playoffs next season was arguably narrow, even with Larkin. Without him, their next year or two — when Trocheck will be the most impactful — could be tricky to salvage. — Max Bultman
Mercogliano response: Danielson would immediately shoot to the top of the Rangers’ prospect pool (at least until the draft later this month) and give their pipeline a much-needed young center. He’s largely viewed as a future middle-sixer, rather than a true 1C, but he’s also a top-10 pick (No. 9 in 2023) with ample offensive capabilities to go along with two-way reliability, plus skating and a good motor. The 6-2, 195-pounder is still only 21, but he’s already played parts of two seasons in the AHL and spent 28 games with the Red Wings. He’d likely slot in right away as New York’s 3C, with a chance to eventually move up.
Wallinder is an intriguing young defenseman who seems ready for an NHL opportunity, but I don’t see this package being enough to move the needle in a Trocheck deal. The Wings have more to offer, with a prospect pool that colleague Scott Wheeler ranked fourth in the league, but the Larkin dilemma may prevent them from maneuvering more aggressively.
The Red Wings’ Danielson, right, would likely slot in as the Rangers’ third-line center if acquired in a Trocheck deal. (John Jones / Imagn Images)
Minnesota Wild
Trade proposal: C Charlie Stramel, 2027 first-round pick and RHD David Špaček
Beat writer analysis: Our feel here is that while the Wild do like Trocheck, and he could be a fit, he’s probably in the Plan B category of their summer center search. Minnesota is going to be aggressive on Larkin and other top centers who become available. There’s simply not enough trade assets to go around and spend heavily on a Trocheck plus a 1C. So put the Wild in the category of interested, and possibly circling back with the Rangers on this.
As for trade offers, some of the team’s top chips include Stramel, rookie center Danila Yurov and their 2027 first-round pick. We don’t feel like Jesper Wallstedt is in play, at least for Trocheck, and it’s not like New York would need that with Igor Shesterkin in net. — Joe Smith
Mercogliano response: Joe’s proposal falls in line with what we believe Minnesota offered prior to the deadline, which Guerin quipped wasn’t enough in spite of him and Drury winning Olympic gold together with Team USA. Drury held firm back then and likely would again if the Wild approached with a similar package.
Stramel is the sticking point here. There’s a lot to like about the 21-year-old, who’s 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds and registered 44 points (19 goals and 25 assists) in 37 games as a senior at Michigan State. But many project him more as a 3C than a top-sixer, with the Rangers seeking higher upside. That could come in the form of Yurov, who’s smaller but brings the speed element they desire and has better potential as a scorer and playmaker.
Guerin has been reluctant to include the 22-year-old Russian, presumably holding him in case a better option emerges. That could be Larkin, who reportedly has Minnesota as one of his preferred destinations. If Drury wants to deal with the Wild, it seems he’ll have to wait until that situation is resolved.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Trade proposal: C Tommy Novak, LHD Owen Pickering and 2027 third-round pick (earlier of two picks owned by New Jersey and Pittsburgh)
Beat writer thought process: Novak and Pickering likely aren’t part of the team’s long-term plans, anyway. Novak was sneaky good last season, but also disappeared in the postseason. He’s a solid, versatile forward. Pickering is a legitimate prospect whom Rangers coach Mike Sullivan knows well. He could use a change of scenery.
Pittsburgh has ample cap space to accommodate Trocheck. He could also slide to 3C whenever Ben Kindel is ready to replace him at 2C. Trocheck would appeal to the Penguins because he’s a good penalty killer; he would be their first player in recent memory who plays the power-play bumper position well; and he is an ace faceoff guy. He’s also a big-game player and historically is more productive than Novak. — Josh Yohe
Mercogliano response: The Rangers have previously expressed interest in Novak because he’s a high-motor player who can chip in bottom-six offense, with 42 points or more in three of the last four seasons. He’s also a low-cost pending UFA (one year remaining at $3.5 million) who could turn into an appealing deadline asset. But I doubt the 29-year-old would suffice as the main piece coming to New York. I also think it would take more than Pickering, a first-round pick whose struggled to carve out an NHL role since turning pro in 2024, and a third-rounder as the secondary components.
The reason Pittsburgh (and in this case, Josh) is reluctant to part with higher-value assets is that GM Kyle Dubas has been primarily focused on accumulating them for himself. This proposal would fall well short, but if the Pens decide to get serious about bringing Trocheck home — a big if, though the fact that they’ve even checked in suggests they’re at least open to win-now moves — they have a ton of picks in 2027 and 2028 to offer, as well as better prospects than Pickering.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Trade proposal: RW Easton Cowan and 2027 second-round pick (earlier of two picks owned between Columbus and Toronto)
Beat writer thought process: The Rangers would presumably eye Matthew Knies from the Leafs, but that’s likely to be a non-starter for Toronto given Knies’ ability and upside and Trocheck’s age and ability. Cowan, though, also checks the box of a young forward with upside who is already playing in the NHL. He’s not a top-top prospect, though, so you’ve got to think the Rangers will ask for more — maybe the 2027 first-round pick the Leafs acquired from the Avalanche at the trade deadline. That feels too rich for the Leafs, though. Maybe a second-rounder (this summer or next) instead? Can they get that down to a third-round pick somehow?
Even then, it would be a dicey trade from Toronto’s perspective. Cowan is one of the few young pieces of substance the team has and it’s still very much TBD how good he can become. To move him, and that upside, for a soon-to-be 33-year-old, even at a position of need, might be a no-go. But if they want to address their dire need at center, they’re going to have to move something. It might just be a deal they decide they have to make — if, that is, Cowan is enough for the Rangers. — Jonas Siegel
Mercogliano response: I concur that Knies would be the initial ask — New York has inquired about his availability — but Jonas is under the impression that Trocheck wouldn’t be enough to pry the 23-year-old winger away. Would Drury consider adding another asset to sweeten the deal? Does that even make sense for the Rangers? The better bet may be using Trocheck to acquire multiple pieces.
Cowan is an intriguing centerpiece who excelled during his time with OHL London (especially in the playoffs) and posted 29 points (11 goals and 18 assists) in 66 games as a 20-year-old NHL rookie this season. He’s mainly played RW, a clear position of need, and can infuse much-needed offensive creativity. But it would require more than him and a second-round pick to surpass other offers, particularly from Boston and Buffalo. The Leafs obviously aren’t trading this year’s No. 1 pick this year — at least not in a Trocheck deal — but their 2027 first-rounder would probably need to be in play, especially with a lack of options from a Toronto prospect pool that Wheeler ranked 29th out of 32 teams. Pending RFA forwards such as Matias Maccelli or Nicholas Robertson could also be considered as sweeteners.
