The New York Rangers have a chance to turn this disastrous season into a success story. With the Eastern Conference playoff race intensifying, multiple teams are battling for the wildcard spots, making the upcoming weeks crucial.
As the March 7 trade deadline approaches, the Rangers face a difficult decision—should they go all-in and acquire experienced talent, or should they offload expiring contracts and hope for the best? The process has already begun, as Saturday’s trade sent Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey to Colorado in exchange for Calvin de Haan, Juuso Parssinen, and draft compensation.
There are two critical moves to consider—one trade the Rangers should absolutely make and another they must avoid at all costs.
The Trade to Make
The Rangers need to move Matt Rempe before the deadline. With Jimmy Vesey already dealt, they should continue reshaping their fourth line. Rempe is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, and now is the perfect time to maximize his trade value.
Predicting the exact return for Rempe is challenging since he isn’t a player who frequently appears on the scoresheet. However, his physicality and aggressive playstyle make him an attractive option for teams looking to add toughness for a playoff push. Moving him should not be difficult, especially for a contender in need of a gritty forward.
The Trade to Avoid
With Ryan Lindgren already gone, the spotlight now shifts to K’Andre Miller. His contract is set to expire at the end of the season, leaving his future with the Rangers uncertain. Instead of considering a trade, the Rangers should prioritize investing in Miller for the long run.
It’s been a tough season for Miller, as he’s faced criticism for inconsistent performances on both ends of the ice. Despite the struggles, he remains a talented defenseman with plenty of potential. Trading him now, after one down year, would be a mistake.
The Rangers should resist offers for Miller and instead focus on keeping him as a key part of their defense alongside Adam Fox. If General Manager Chris Drury and the front office are leaning toward retaining Miller, they may have made the right call by moving Lindgren instead.
