The New York Rangers have a few hours left on their fire sale before Monday’s trade deadline passes and they’ve already been plenty active, dealing Rick Nash, Michael Grabner and Nick Holden.
But for a team that suddenly is relegated to rebuilding after seven-straight playoff appearances, more moves are a possibility.
On Monday morning, a pair of names have cropped up in trade talks in forwards Mats Zuccarello and JT Miller with the Rangers getting “a good amount of interest” for them, per TSN’s Darren Dreger. However, a deal does not seem likely with less than six hours remaining before the clock strikes 3 p.m. ET.
Zuccarello and Miller are New York’s two leading point getters with 43 and 40 respectively as middle-line wingers. Zuccarello (10 G, 33 A) has been flanking the right wing of New York’s second line alongside Kevin Hayes and Jimmy Vesey while Miller (13 G, 27 A) has inhabited the left wing of the third line.
Both are quick skaters with playmaking ability with Miller a little more willing to throw the body around, which is obviously appealing for contending teams looking to add a spark to their lower lines during the stretch run before the playoffs.
Neither forward would exactly be a rental, either, which is usually the norm for players dealt on the cusp of trade deadlines. Miller is a restricted free agent after this season while Zuccarello is signed through 2018-19.
It’s just that everything hinges on whether an interested party would be able to step up and offer the proper return for either skater in time before the clock runs out.
