The New York Rangers wrapped up a disappointing season by missing the playoffs, prompting expectations of major roster changes this offseason.
One trade proposal, generated using PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool, suggests a significant shake-up: the Rangers would send Chris Kreider to the Edmonton Oilers in a blockbuster trade.
Proposed trade details:
To Rangers:
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Darnell Nurse (with $1.8 million salary retained)
To Oilers:
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Chris Kreider
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Braden Schneider
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Anaheim’s 2025 fourth-round draft pick
This deal could benefit both sides. New York would shed Kreider’s contract while adding an offensive-minded defenseman in Nurse. Edmonton, in turn, would get out from under Nurse’s hefty contract and gain a veteran forward, a promising young defenseman, and a draft pick.
Nurse still has five years remaining on his eight-year, $74 million deal and would slot in as a top-four defenseman in New York. This past season, he tallied 5 goals and 28 assists for 33 points in 76 games with Edmonton.
Kreider, who has two years left on a seven-year, $45.5 million contract, had a down year, finishing with 21 goals and 7 assists in 67 games. He’s been a regular name in trade speculation and could be on the move this summer.
Braden Schneider, also included in the deal, is a physical blueliner who played in all 80 games this season, contributing 6 goals and 15 assists.
Insider Expects Rangers to Part Ways With Kreider
Rangers insider Vincent Z. Mercogliano of Lohud believes a split between New York and Kreider is on the horizon.
“I get the sense the Rangers are preparing to move on from their longest-tenured player,” Mercogliano wrote. “Though trade talks have cooled, sources say the team still wants to find a deal for him.”
Kreider, a two-time All-Star, was drafted by the Rangers in 2009 and has spent his entire career in New York.
Kreider Ignored Trade Buzz During Season
Despite swirling trade rumors throughout the year, Kreider said he stayed focused on the task at hand.
“I’m not concerned with that,” he said on March 11. “I’m focused on our next game. I’m happy to be here and doing everything I can to help us win.”
Unfortunately, the team fell short of expectations, missing the playoffs just one year after earning the Presidents’ Trophy for the league’s best regular season record.
Head coach Peter Laviolette acknowledged the team’s underperformance. “We had chances down the stretch to control our destiny, and we didn’t take advantage of them,” he said. “The disappointment is real. This team expects to win, and we didn’t deliver.”
This marks the Rangers’ first playoff absence since 2021.
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