Rangers Rumors: Jaromir Jagr to Phoenix?

There's a cold chill in New York this winter—and no, it's not the weather.

Once the toast of the NHL for their summer free-agent signings, the New York Rangers are 2-7-2 in their last 11 games.

Of course, the season is far from over, and there's no reason to push the panic button just yet. But as teams like the New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins, and New York Islanders climb the standings, the Rangers need to right the ship sooner rather than later.

The result?

Trade rumors buzzing around the Big Apple—about a multiplayer deal that could make a short- and long-term impact for both teams involved:

Jaromir Jagr, Michal Roszival, and Petr Prucha to the Phoenix Coyotes for Shane Doan and Ed Jovanovski.

The deal makes sense for both clubs.

I don't like ripping on Jaromir Jagr—I'm actually a huge fan, and wore 68 in my last year of playing—but it's time for a change in Manhattan.

Wayne Gretzky, meanwhile, has a young squad in Phoenix that will once again struggle to make the playoffs—and could use a veteran like Jagr to bring the club together.

In Roszival, the Coyotes would get a quality power-play defenseman who will bolster a lackluster offense. Prucha could catch fire with a new coach in a new setting.

The Rangers get another solid two-way player in Doan, who's a bona fide captain and has played under Tom Renney. In Jovanovski, they get an experienced defensemen who can also help a struggling power play unit—which has seen five forwards on the ice more often than not.

The Coyotes tried to unload Jovanovski early in the season, but there were no takers. Making a deal now would show their dwindling fanbase they actually care about the future.

As I see it, this trade makes more sense than not. Jagr could get hot for the Desert Dogs, and would be their undisputed No. 1 guy—something he can't be in New York with the Rangers' cast of superstars.