5 Landing Spots for Rangers Center Vincent Trocheck Amid NHL Trade Deadline Rumors
On Jan. 16, New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury released a letter informing fans that the club was about to retool its roster. He indicated it would likely mean parting ways with players key to previous success in recent years.
Most of the attention focused on Artemi Panarin, who is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. However, Vincent Trocheck could be another trade candidate. He is signed through 2028-29 with an average annual value of $5.6 million and a 12-team no-trade list.
The 32-year-old signed with the Rangers on July 13, 2022. A smart, hardworking forward with solid two-way skills, he's been a reliable center for the Blueshirts, helping them win the Presidents' Trophy and reach the Eastern Conference Final in 2023-24.
Despite missing 14 games with an upper-body injury earlier this season, he remains productive for the Rangers, with 33 points in 39 games. His skills, experience and leadership would make him a welcome addition to any contender seeking a reliable second-line center who would be more than a rental player.
Here's our take on five possible landing spots for Trocheck before the March 6 trade deadline.
Carolina Hurricanes
1 of 5
On Feb. 24, 2020, the Carolina Hurricanes acquired Trocheck from the Florida Panthers. He played with them through 2021-22 before signing with the Rangers as an unrestricted free agent. He put up good numbers in Carolina, tallying 43 points in 47 games in 2020-21, and 51 points in 81 games in 2021-22.
The Hurricanes have made big moves during the last two trade deadlines, acquiring Jake Guentzel in 2024 and shipping Mikko Rantanen to the Dallas Stars for a return that included promising forward Logan Stankoven. With over $35 million in projected trade deadline cap space, they can afford to make another notable move.
Could a reunion between the Hurricanes and Trocheck be in the cards? Stankoven is filling the second-line center role, but he lacks Trocheck's experience and his proven resume as a reliable postseason performer. He could be the missing piece that helps bring the Stanley Cup back to Carolina.
Stankoven would be the type of young forward the Rangers would like to obtain, but the Hurricanes have signed him to a long-term extension. Prospect center Bradly Nadeau or winger Felix Unger Sörum could be other options the Rangers could find acceptable as part of the return.
Colorado Avalanche
2 of 5
The league-leading Colorado Avalanche are definitely in "win-now" mode. At their current pace, they will lock up the Presidents' Trophy as the top regular-season team in March and will be considered the favorite to win the Stanley Cup.
However, the last Presidents' Trophy winner to win hockey's holy grail was the 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks. That could provide additional incentive for Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland to go shopping in the trade market to bolster his roster's depth for a Cup run this spring.
MacFarland could seek a third-line center. On Jan. 14, TSN's Darren Dreger reported the Avalanche were among the clubs "kicking tires" on Calgary Flames center (and former Av) Nazem Kadri. If Kadri's unavailable, a younger, more affordable center such as Vincent Trocheck would be on MacFarland's radar.
The Avalanche's $6.542 million projected trade deadline cap hit gives them room to take on Trocheck's salary. They could offer up their 2027 first-round pick or one of their two second-rounders in that draft. The Rangers could seek a promising young player such as winger Gavin Brindley.
Detroit Red Wings
3 of 5
As of Jan. 26, the Detroit Red Wings were jockeying with the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning for first place in the Eastern Conference. The last time they were in this position at this stage of the regular season was January 2015.
After a long and sometimes difficult rebuilding process, the Red Wings look poised to end their nine-season playoff drought. That could push general manager Steve Yzerman into becoming a buyer by the March 6 trade deadline.
Yzerman could be in the market for a reliable second-line center such as Vincent Trocheck. He would provide a boost to their offense, while his experience would be useful in the postseason. His addition would enable them to move Andrew Copp back to the third line, where he is best-suited.
With over $59.4 million in projected trade deadline cap space, the Red Wings can easily afford Trocheck's contract. Possible trade chips could include prospect center Nate Danielson or a winger such as Michael Brandsegg-Nygård or Carter Bear.
Los Angeles Kings
4 of 5
The Los Angeles Kings are jockeying for one of the final wild-card berths in the Western Conference. They're having to do it without first-line center and team captain Anze Kopitar, who's been sidelined with a lower-body injury since Jan. 9.
With Kopitar retiring after this season, the Kings need a center who can help them now and as they navigate the post-Kopitar world. Quinton Byfield could move up into the first-line center role next season, but they'll need someone more experienced to fill the second-line center spot.
Trocheck could help them address that need. He can give them additional flexibility at center for this season, then take over the second-line center spot. If Byfield struggles to adjust in the first-line center role, Trocheck can move up into that spot until Byfield adjusts.
The Kings carry over $24.2 million in projected trade deadline cap space, giving them plenty to take on Trocheck's contract. They could dangle one of their second and third-round picks in this year's draft to the Rangers, though they could seek a prospect such as Liam Greentree or Henry Brzustewicz.
Minnesota Wild
5 of 5
On Dec. 12, the Minnesota Wild pulled off the biggest trade of this season thus far. They acquired superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for promising youngsters Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren, and a 2026 first-round pick.
Wild general manager Bill Guerin might not be finished making big moves in this season's trade market. On Jan. 26, Michael Russo and Joe Smith of The Athletic speculated that Guerin could pursue a center and suggested Vincent Trocheck as a prime target.
Trocheck could fit the bill for the Wild. He can play on their top line between Mats Zuccarello and superstar Kirill Kaprizov, or he could slide down into the second-line center role. With his postseason experience, he could help them become a serious Stanley Cup contender.
On Jan. 14, Russo and Smith mused about the possibility of the Wild using young goalie Jesper Wallstedt as trade bait for a center. The Rangers could be intrigued by Wallstedt as a backup for Shesterkin, but they might prefer a promising young forward, such as Danila Yurov or Charlie Stramel, as part of the return.
Stats and standings via NHL.com. Contract and salary info via PuckPedia.
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