The New York Rangers’ Expansion Draft protection list contained a surprise inclusion, but it wasn’t Ryan Strome. (Kevin Rooney?) Strome has bounced around during his NHL career, but has found a good fit in New York with back-to-back career years in terms of per-game scoring. Yet, Strome may be protected from selection by the Seattle Kraken, but that doesn’t guarantee that he will be on the Rangers roster next season. Bally Sports’ Andy Strickland reports that Strome is drawing considerable interest on the trade market.
Rosters are currently frozen through Wednesday’s Expansion Draft, but that was preceded by a mini-trade deadline on Saturday that resulted in a flurry of activity and surely far more conversations than what actually came to fruition. Strome’s name apparently came up in these talks and when transactions are unlocked later this week, he may be on the move. Of course, this depends one whether the interest that Strickland reports is being encouraged. If the Rangers are listening to offers or even shopping Strome, then a deal could happen soon. The Rangers are known to be in the market for an improvement down the middle and could be looking to open up cap space and a top-six center spot in one fell swoop by moving Strome. However, if this interest in Strome is developing without any involvement from New York, it could mean nothing. If the Rangers are unsuccessful in trading for an established center, they will have a hard time upgrading Strome on the free agent market this season and could be hesitant to move him.
One team who is eyeing Strome, should he be available, are the Ottawa Senators. Strickland notes that Ottawa in particular is interested in adding the center. This could be a savvy move for the Senators, who are looking to take a step forward in their rebuild this season, but would not have to sacrifice too much for Strome, whose contract expires after next season. Ottawa may also need to replace center Chris Tierney, who was left exposed in the Expansion Draft. If Strome excels playing on the young Ottawa roster, the team has more than enough cap space to extend him. If he struggles or the team falters again this season regardless, the Senators could flip him at the trade deadline to recoup their assets.
If I’m Rangers I’m making this deal with Ottawa for 2 number 2s.
I would do this because Strome cannot win face offs snd Rangers need a center that can play physical, Win face offs, and be a top two center. Plus this opens up 4 mill in cap space.
I agree Billy.Faceoffs have been a big problem for a long time.They have to upgrade at center to get to the next level.
Yeah but my hesitation is Strome and Panarin looked good together. Also even though Strome is a UFA next year trading him for picks for a team who has a mandate from ownership to make the playoffs next year leaves me thinking giving up your second line center is no bueno when you really don’t have a replacement option. I don’t know what they’re doing tbh. I don’t get protecting Rooney. I don’t know why they’re allegedly shopping Strome and Buchnevich. I’m concerned about over paying Goodrow. The Rangers are on the up and up but their path to that endpoint is still a mystery
this team don’t need draft picks that are lottery tickets… they need established players that can win faceoffs and produce points.
I don’t understand why everyone wants to get rid of Strome. Panarin has had his best points per game playing with him. While he may not have face-off skills, it hasn’t hurt his offense. No one knows if Panarin will find the same chemistry with a new center. As a Ranger fan for many years I’ve seen many Superstars come here and not perform. Eichel has a serious injury and a large contract. Another factor is, there are not many second line centers that are better than Strome.
i agree bro, and people wanna trade him for picks, Smh. either keep him or include him in a package for somebody that’s much better…
My guess is they pick up young assets and picks to flip for an elite center like eichel. I doubt Buffalo wants strome but turning him into an extra 2nd 3rd and mid level prospect could sweeten the trade
The reason dealing Strome makes so much sense is because they need a #2 center that can either play both offense and defense snd win face offs and let Zibanejad be the number one or just trade for Eichel ego is the young elite center they haven’t had in forever and move Zibanajed to the two spot with Panarin. Dealing Buchnevich creates more cap space for someone like Eichel and while Buchnevich has been solid on both ends there have been pointless droughts where Ranger fans bitch endlessly until this past season. Buchnevich can be replaced by Kratsov especially if he’s looking for a contract more than 5 mill per which will only hamper them with the two bad no trade contracts (Trouba and Kreider) which will hurt for years.
Trading Strome as a single piece makes no sense. As others have said, we don’t need picks right now and 2 2nd rounders doesn’t do us shit.
The biggest return is a package with him included, one which MUST contain a 1a/b center. No more wingers (Unless Tkachuck comes to us for Strome and Buch, but even then…) I don’t dislike Strome as much as a lot of people, but an upgrade wouldn’t hurt either. Don’t think it’s with the Sens.
The idea of dealing Strome for picks is to immediately turn around and deal for a number 1 center. Or possibly set up a deal with Calgary to obtain Tkachuck and Monahan as the number two center behind Zibanajed after dealing Strome to Ottawa for picks. Monahan is not much of an upgrade but he is younger and overall more talented. Not much of a face off guy either.