While the New York Rangers and Chris Kreider were putting the final touches on a 7-3 comeback win at the Garden, a report of a trade offer for Jakob Chychrun ran like wildfire.
Sportsnet’s HNIC has a segment called 32 Thoughts which features Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek.
Chychrun of course was playing for the Coyotes last night against the Blueshirts when Marek dropped the info.
Rangers trade offer for Chychrun
“The Coyotes are looking for a package that includes a young player, a prospect, and a first round pick,” Jeff Marek said. “And they do have that package from one team in the NHL. Essentially, two former first round players, and a first round draft pick.”
Marek reported that L.A. Anaheim, Boston, Columbus, and Florida are in on Chychrun.
“The Rangers are in on it as well,” Marek added. “They have offered a package which includes Vitali Kravtsov.”
Chychrun, 23, has just 8 points in 29 games with the Yotes’ this season and was dealing with an injury. Last year was a breakout for him with 41 points in 56 games. The left-handed rearguard has three years left on a cap friendly deal of $4.6 million.
Kravtsov, 21, is playing really well for Traktor in the KHL. In 19 games, he’s picked up 13 points which includes 6 goals. He was selected by the Rangers in the 2018 Draft, 9th overall and his situation and fallout with the organization is well documented.
The inclusion of Kravtsov makes complete logical sense. However, if the current offer has a first round pick in 2022, it’s unlikely to be the Rangers at this time. New York will need that pick in order to land at least one rental forward at the trade deadline.
Plus, if the Rangers are offering Kravtsov, and possibly a player like Nils Lundkvist that should be the heart of the deal. Drury needs to be very careful with what he gives up. Chychrun would be a vital piece to the team’s future for the next three seasons, but winning the Cup this season will also need another top six scoring forward.
The first round pick will be vital in acquiring one.
Rangers power rankings and playoff odds
Yesterday, The Daily Goal Horn published its latest NHL Power Rankings. Here’s a recap:
January’s Top Ten Teams:
- Florida Panthers 28-8-5 (New)
- Pittsburgh Penguins 25-10-5 ⬆️
- Colorado Avalanche 27-8-3 (New)
- Carolina Hurricanes 27-8-2 ⬇️
- New York Rangers 26-11-4 (Even)
- Tampa Bay Lightning 27-10-5 ⬇️
- St. Louis Blues 24-11-5 (New)
- Nashville Predators 25-14-3 ⬇️
- Toronto Maple Leafs 24-10-3 ⬇️
- Boston Bruins 23-12-2 (New)
New York Rangers: The Blueshirts continue to stun many hockey experts with their resiliency. They are 7-3 in their last 10 games, which is really impressive when you realize it includes a 5 game west coast road trip.
Per the website MoneyPuck, the New York Rangers chances of making the playoffs has jumped up since last month from 87.6%. to 94.7%. Some additional odds have them a 7.8% to win the Metro, and a 1.3% chance of winning the Cup.
Taking a look at some of the Power Rankings around the league, the Blueshirts appeared to have climbed on many charts. Here’s how they’ve moved in rankings from the last time we checked in December to January:
- NHL.com 8th to 4th
- The Athletic 8th (same)
- ESPN 9th to 8th
- NBCSports 11th to 9th
- Sportsnet 7th to 4th
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