The New York Rangers may consider making trades at the NHL trading deadline as the team tries to make a Stanley Cup run this season. After a mid-season slump, the Rangers have won eight of 11 games and have put themselves back into the top three in the Eastern Conference, which could lead general manager Jeff Gorton to make some additions to the roster.
The Rangers have been in "win-now" mode for the past few years, as the team knows that Henrik Lundqvist will only be this good for so long. Last season the Rangers traded for Keith Yandle at the deadline to try and make a Stanley Cup run and while they came up short, the team could look at similar moves this year. Steve Zipay at Newsday writes that Andrew Ladd, Eric Staal, Patrick Marleau and other forwards around the league could to be targets for the Rangers are the deadline this season.
Larry Brooks at the New York Post writes that the team should focus on Eric Staal at the deadline to add some punch to the roster for the playoffs. Brooks writes that the east is mostly wide open and that the Rangers have the potential to be the second best team in the playoffs behind the Washington Capitals. Brooks writes that Staal is the type of player that the Rangers need and that the Hurricanes star could be open to playing alongside his brother Marc in New York.
Staal has a no-move clause in his contract, but he could be open to a deal to a contender with Carolina struggling to remain in the playoff mix. Luke DeCock at the Raleigh News & Observer writes that the Hurricanes should consider moving Staal and other veterans and that the team should "keep the long-term picture in mind." Brooks adds that the team could go after Ladd if the Staal deal doesn't work out, but that the Jets could have a high demand for the winger.
Patrick Marleau's name has come up in trade rumors all season and as the deadline approaches, the San Jose Sharks could consider making a move with the veteran forward. CSN Bay Area speculates that the Ducks, Clues, Predators and the Rangers could be landing spots for Marleau.
The NHL trading deadline is February 29.
