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Expectations for the New York Rangers are understandably high with two trips to the Eastern Conference final in the last three seasons and a Presidents’ Trophy campaign in 2023-24.
As we pass the quarter mark of the 2024-25 NHL season, it’s safe to say those expectations have not been met.
Despite winning seven of their first 10 games, things have fallen apart fairly quickly. They currently hold a 13-10-1 record, are fourth in the Metropolitan division and lost six of their last seven games, the worst points percentage of any NHL club since Nov. 20. That includes Monday’s ugly 5-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils.
While things haven’t gone well, nobody could’ve anticipated the news coming out of the Rangers’ organization last week. GM Chris Drury reportedly sent a memo to the rest of the NHL saying he was willing to make significant shakeups to their roster, mentioning Chris Kreider and captain Jacob Trouba as potential trade assets, per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
In the aftermath of their 6-2 loss in Edmonton on Saturday, the Rangers have made it very clear they are interested in making moves and shaking up their roster.
Among the names indicated are Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba, although other options will be considered.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) November 25, 2024
Many have debated Drury’s true intentions behind this decision. Was it another example of a GM looking to instill urgency within their team, or is there true interest in moving two cornerstone pieces of their franchise?
Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz got that debate started earlier this season. He appeared on local Nashville station 102.5 The Game in early November when he spoke about the Predators’ early struggles, mentioning he would start his “rebuild plan” if there was no improvement.
Considering the Predators committed a combined $108.5 million to veterans Jonathan Marchessault, Steven Stamkos and Brady Skjei, it’s hard to believe there would be a literal rebuild.
It seems more like it would involve trading other veterans to get younger players in the lineup or swap some pieces to make them stronger later on. However, if the Predators can be motivated by cancelling plans to attend a U2 concert, it wouldn’t be surprising to have the fear of a rebuild be the start of an eventual turnaround in Tennessee. (They’ve gone 3-5-5 since then, so if it was a wake-up call, it didn’t work.)