NY Rangers Trade Rumors: Analyzing Potential Deals as NHL Trade Deadline Nears

As the trade deadline approaches the Rangers could look to make some moves. While it is not likely that the Rangers blow up their roster, her are some of the trades that have been proposed in various media rumor reports.

With that in mind, lets take a look at some of the rumored deals and if they would work for the Rangers.

Rick Nash

Rumored Deal(s):

Trade A: Ottawa Sun

To Rangers: Rick Nash

To Columbus Blue Jackets: Chris Kreider, Brandon Dubinsky and 2012 NHL Entry Draft Pick (first round)

Trade B: The Fourth Period

To Rangers: Rick Nash

To Columbus Blue Jackets: Chris Kreider, Brandon Dubinsky, Derek Stepan and 2012 NHL Entry Draft Pick (first round)

Both proposed trades have disaster written all over it, but I am confident Glen Sather would never consider it. Derek Stepan is a rising star in the league and has grown by leaps and bounds so far under the tutelage of Brad Richards.

Stepan is a playmaking center with 70-point potential in the future. He is a key piece for the Rangers at center ice, and dealing him would be counterproductive.

Brandon Dubinsky may be having a down year, and despite early criticism from the fans and media, myself included, dealing him with Stepan or Carl Hagelin doesn't yield a big enough return. He is a key penalty killer and would leave a hole in that area of the Rangers' game.

Chris Kreider is a top prospect, and I doubt the Rangers would deal him after waiting three years to sign him to a pro contract.

Ray Whitney

Source: Pierre LeBrun of ESPN

Whitney is 39 years old and is pushing 40, but he would be a great fit for the Rangers. Why? He has 16 goals and 35 assists for a total of 51 points. If he were a Ranger, he would be leading the team in points. He could easily hit 70 points or more at his age.

Whitney would add scoring, power-play experience and veteran leadership to a relatively young hockey club. Whitney was a vital part of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006 when they won the Stanley Cup, and he could have a similar impact for the Rangers.

Given the Rangers' current team makeup, adding a complementary piece like Whitney would not set back the youth movement and wouldn't jeopardize the future. 

At the end of the day, if the price is right, Whitney would be the perfect piece to help Brad Richards on the second line and on the Rangers' ever-struggling power-play unit.

What could it take?

To Rangers: Ray Whitney

To Coyotes : Mats Zuccarello, 2013 NHL Entry Draft Pick (second round)

The Rangers and Coyotes have a trading history, and the proposed trade would be in line with the negotiations Glen Sather and Don Maloney have previously made. 

Tuomo Ruutu

Source: Bob McKenzie of TSN

The Rangers have been interested in the Carolina Hurricanes' Tuomo Ruutu. In a TSN report McKenzie stated:

"

General manager Jim Rutherford has been talking to teams about Ruutu (who is an unrestricted free agent this summer) and the asking price has been steep - a significant draft pick and a solid prospect or a top prospect alone. Ruuttu has the ability to both score goals and play a physical game, so a lot of teams have interest - including the Vancouver Canucks, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota Wild and New York Rangers amongst others.

The Rangers, for example, figure Ruutu is just the type of Top 9 forward that could play coach John Tortorella's demanding style.

"

Ruutu would be a great pickup for New York, as it would make them an even more physically-grinding team. Can you imagine the Rangers rolling out a line with Brandon Dubinsky, Tuomo Ruutu and Ryan Callahan?

Updated Source: NHL.com

The Ruutu trade rumors may come to a screeching halt or his value may decrease at the very least as he left Monday's contest against the Montreal Canadiens with an upper body injury.

Brendan Morrow

Source: Edmonton Journal

Morrow would fit in with the Rangers' system and would really complement some players already on the Rangers roster. Morrow could be paired up with former teammate Brad Richards, or he could be paired with a young center like Derek Stepan.

Either way, this move would help the Rangers if they could make it. Morrow would be in line with the theme of acquiring a veteran winger to add a scoring touch. Morrow is a player who would make the most sense.

Teemu Selanne

Source: Ottawa Sun

Teemu Selanne is a future Hall of Fame player who is in the twilight of his career. He may be 40 years old, but he still is one of the best at what he does.

Selanne would add some much needed offense, a veteran presence and skill that the power play is currently lacking. He would be an ideal pickup, and he addresses a lot of the Rangers' needs. If Selanne came to the Rangers, they would become a much deeper team.

However it continues to appear that Selanne will stay put in Anaheim.

Updated Source: Craig Custance of ESPN

While Selanne would be an amazing addition, what it would probably cost would make the move counter productive for the Rangers.

Ryan Smyth

Source: New York Post

"

If Rangers general manager Glen Sather is interested in reuniting with Ryan Smyth by acquiring Edmonton’s veteran left wing to bolster the attack, the feeling may well be a reciprocal one, The Post has learned.

A well-placed source told The Post that Smyth, who was drafted sixth overall in 1994 by Sather and then played the first five years under his direction while he was general manager of the Oilers, would give serious consideration to waiving his no-move clause in order to pursue a Cup on Broadway.

"

Smyth later would address these rumors and other deadline dilemmas.

Smyth has the skill, grit and experience to fit the team but the Rangers could do a lot better when it came to making a splash at the deadline. 

Other Minor Moves

Source: The Fourth Period

The following moves are minor depth moves the Rangers could make. The Fourth Period was analyzing potential moves the Rangers could make and here are a few of the players that were listed and why the move could occur.

Brad Boyes

"

Buffalo Sabres winger Brad Boyes, who has struggled this season with just three goals and 10 assists for 13 points in 42 games, could come cheap and benefit from a new start in the Big Apple.

"

Thanks but no thanks, Boyes may have had some offensive success in the past but he wouldn't be much of an upgrade considering he would get lost in Tortorella's bench. Thirteen points in 42 games is in no way appealing.

Hal Gill

"

Another option on defense would be Montreal Canadiens' Hal Gill, who is expected to be moved prior to the deadline. The 36-year-old won a Cup in Pittsburgh in 2009 and has grabbed the attention of several clubs looking for a strong stay-at-home defenseman who can kill powerplays.

"

Hal Gil is a great defenseman but isn't an upgrade for the Rangers. He is a slow footed defenseman and wouldn't add to the areas the Rangers need help in. Their penalty kill has been superb thus far and they wouldn't upgrade with Gill.

Pavel Kubina

"

Rangers head coach John Tortorella could push to acquire Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Pavel Kubina, with whom he won a Cup with the Bolts in 2004, as the veteran blueliner could bring in some depth on the right side for the Blueshirts. He is familiar with the system and his $3.5 million salary is affordable.

"

Kubina is another player who is a case of too little and too late. A few years ago his puck moving ability would help the team but now his $3.5 million salary isn't appealing.

--

Tom Urtz Jr. is an NHL Featured Columnist. For more NHL free-agent news, updates and alerts about players: