Trade Proposal Has Rangers Acquiring $27.5 Million Star in 4-Player Deal
After missing the playoffs last season, the New York Rangers are looking to make significant changes to their roster.
One fan-driven trade proposal, generated through PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool, suggests a blockbuster deal where the Rangers would acquire Sean Monahan from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for K’Andre Miller and Adam Sykora, along with other players.
Proposed Deal:
Rangers Receive:
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Sean Monahan
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Zach Aston-Reese
Blue Jackets Receive:
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K’Andre Miller
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Adam Sykora
The trade would be a big move for the Rangers, with Miller, a standout defenseman, being dealt in exchange for Monahan, who could fill the role of a second-line center. Monahan, who is entering the second year of a five-year, $27.5 million contract, posted 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points in 54 games last season. Should the Rangers move Mika Zibanejad or Chris Kreider, as has been speculated, Monahan would be a solid option as a replacement.
In addition, New York would acquire Aston-Reese, a gritty fourth-line forward, for a manageable $775,000 next season.
On the other side of the deal, Columbus would get Miller, a restricted free agent (RFA), who may be too expensive for the Rangers to keep under their current salary cap situation. Miller could provide solid defense and offense, as he posted 7 goals and 20 assists for 27 points in 74 games last season. The Blue Jackets would also receive Sykora, a 20-year-old forward prospect drafted in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft. Sykora could compete for a spot on the Blue Jackets’ roster next season.
Analyst Suggests Trading Miller
Though Miller is a key player for the Rangers, some analysts believe he could be better suited for a trade. ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski, for example, recommends that New York move on from Miller, citing a lack of growth in his game. Wyshynski noted that while Miller’s potential is clear, his development with the Rangers hasn’t met expectations, making him an ideal candidate for a trade.
Miller was drafted 22nd overall in the 2018 NHL Draft and has played 368 career games, recording 36 goals and 96 assists for 132 points.
New Coach Aims to Make Rangers Competitive
With the Rangers’ disappointing playoff miss last season, the team made a coaching change by hiring Mike Sullivan. After parting ways with Peter Laviolette, New York quickly brought in Sullivan, hoping to turn things around. Sullivan expressed his excitement about the challenge ahead, stating his goal is to make the Rangers as competitive as possible by pushing the players to reach their full potential.
“There’s a lot of talent in the dressing room, but as we all know talent alone doesn’t win championships,” Sullivan said. “Teams win championships, and our challenge from Day 1 is to become a team.”
The Rangers are entering the offseason with $8.4 million in cap space, giving them some flexibility to make moves.
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