Team: 2021-22 New York Rangers

Initial Creation Date: Jul. 30, 2021

Published: Jul. 30, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

This could be the perfect opportunity to shed Trouba. I think he's a really good player, but when he was signed, he was assumed to be the #1 defensemen in all situations... Fox has dethroned him rather quickly, and now Lundkvist is in the wings to take up the 2nd power play unit, etc. Trouba is only going to fall further down. This can be our "only" chance. Hopefully Trouba sees this coming and considers it as an option for his NMC. He'll get #1 time with Dahlin over in BUF.

We sweeten the pot a bit and add Kakko for taking on Trouba. Colin Miller comes in as a temporary sub for Trouba, and the Miller's play together this year. We likely let him walk in the off season. Lundkvist then takes up the 2nd RHD, and hopefully Schneider takes up the 3rd RHD. This whole plan is contingent on these two defensemen being ready as soon as possible (although, the Schneider aspect can be bypassed by getting another rental next year, no big deal). This method kind of goes against "win now mode", but hopefully it won't be too big of a detour.

We also get Tokarski as a 3rd NHL goalie just in case. He can be a serviceable backup if Kinkaid falters (but after his Instagram wars with Puck Empire, I'm sure he's got a lot to prove : P)

BUF is kind of overflowing with centers at this point; they can choose to flip Strome to OTT or whomever. Seems there's a lot of interest in him. Could work out for them to maximize assets, either immediately or at the deadline.

Losing Kakko sheds a lot of the potential bonuses, and also welcomes Kreider back into the top 6 where he likely belongs. Yes, I know CapFriendly only lists him as a LW, but he plays RW plenty. I'm sure he will figure out how to hold his stick a little different to come back to the top 6.

Nick Ritchie probably doesn't happen, but more of a wishlist. Sub him in with Hunt if it's not possible to sign him. I've never seen the Hunt play, but everyone seems to be ranting and raving about this guy. I don't really know personally, not showing up on paper. But it'll be musical wingers on the bottom 6 with Blais, Reaves, McKegg, Rooney, Gauthier, and Hunt given the opponent, etc.

Perhaps most importantly, losing Trouba sets up Zibanejad and Fox for 9-10million dollar contracts pretty comfortably with Eichel in the picture. Most of the other trades going on doesn't have a good immediate fit, or would assume Fox takes a bridge deal. I pretty easily give both Zibanejad and Fox 8x9mil ASAP. This would allow that to happen very comfortably.