The NY Rangers are coming into the trade deadline with a few needs and names like Tyler Bozak, Keith Yandle and Antoine Vermette could be potential targets for New York along with the Chicago Blackhawks, as both teams want to strengthen up heading out of the NHL trading deadline and into the playoffs and the Rangers could look at trading forward Mats Zuccarello.
According to Pro Hockey Talk, NBCSN/TSN insider Bob McKenzie writes that the Rangers are interested in Tyler Bozak from the Maple Leafs. Toronto may make a number of trades with how they have played this season and Bozak could be moved along with Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf. Bozak is signed for another few years and has a $4.2 million cap hit, but the Rangers may not worry about that and could go for the deal.
UPDATE: The Rangers have signed Zuccarello to an extenson, Yandle was acquired in a trade for Duclair and draft picks.
At NHL.com Dan Rosen put together a list of the top trade targets and Yandle was mentioned along with Bozak as options for the Rangers. Yandle has one year remaining on his deal and also could be an option for the Red Wings and the Flyers at the deadline. The Rangers could look at making that move if the trade for Bozak does not happen.
The Rangers and Blackhawks both could be interested in Antoine Vermette, as the Hawks have lost Patrick Kane at least until the playoffs and could try and replace him. Pierre LeBrun writes at ESPN.com that the Hawks being in the mix for Vermette could drive his price up and a team like the Rangers may not pursue because of it. ESPN reports that the Winnipeg Jets are interested and the Blackhawks now could step up with Kane out, as they feel they have a chance to make a run to the finals this season after losing in the western conference finals last year. The Rangers are hoping to repeat as eastern conference champions.
The Rangers have been one of the best teams in the league over the last stretch of months and they have pulled into a dead heat with the Islanders in the Metro division. The Rangers got off to a slow start like last season, but like last season they have come on strong in the second half. The team has gone 7-2-1 over the last 10 and for a stretch they only lost one of eight games with their backup goalies playing. The team has been able to remain a consistent team with Henrik Lundqvist injured and now they may add more at the deadline.
Last season the team traded Ryan Callahan for Martin St. Louis and this year they have Mats Zuccarello in a similar contract situation. The team is likely going to keep Zuccarello and they would like to add another blue line player at the deadline. The Rangers are first in the Metro division and they rank second in the league in goals scored per game and fourth in goals against. Rick Nash is having his best season for the Rangers and with the east wide open, the Rangers are ready to make a run.
