Trade Deadline Preview: New York Rangers

New York Rangers: 33-27-4, 70 pts, 7th in East, 3rd in Atlantic

Status: Active Buyers/Sellers

The Rangers are in an interesting quandary, given that they look like they’ll be in the mix come playoff time, but continue to face a number of questions surrounding their roster and its current makeup. The pickup of Bryan McCabe was certainly a solid move, and didn’t cost the Rangers anything in terms of current roster players.

McCabe gives the Rangers a capable two-way defenseman, as he is more than able to contribute offensively while providing reliable play in his own end. It was rumored that one or both of the Rangers’ young defensemen Michael Del Zotto or Matt Gilroy could be available, and with the recent injury to Marc Staal, the Rangers will probably be looking to add some more veteran help on the blueline.

As incredible as it may sound, it was also rumored that star forward Marian Gaborik could be on his way out of town, but it would certainly take a serious return to get him out of the Big Apple. The Rangers would probably much rather just try and find someone to play consistently with the superstar. If Brad Richards ends up being available, make no doubt that the Rangers will move heaven and earth to try and reunite the star center with his former coach, John Tortorella. Richards already indicated that New York would be a place he would be interested in playing if he was unable to reach a new contract agreement with the Stars, and if he were added to the mix in New York, without them having to give up Gaborik, he would give the Blueshirts a scoring tandem the likes of which they haven’t had in years.