Photo credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Elliotte Friedman’s note was simple but loud. Trocheck has a little control, and if he moves, he’d like to remain in the Eastern Conference.
That one detail instantly changes the board. It pulls some Western teams off the daydream list and pushes the usual East heavyweights right to the front.
Trocheck can do that because his contract includes trade protection. He’s got a 12-team no-trade list, so he’s not completely at the mercy of the market.
32 Thoughts (Feb 6): Vincent Trocheck has a little bit of control on his situation and right now if he moves, he would like to stay East. #NYR #NHL
From the Rangers’ side, this is still about leverage. New York can shop him, but the fit has to work for the player too.
Trocheck’s numbers help the Rangers hold the line. He’s at 12-24-36 in 43 games, and he plays in all the hard areas. His deal also isn’t a rental. He carries a $5.625 million cap hit through 2028-29, which is gold for contenders who hate short-term fixes.
The Rangers are heading into the Olympic break at 22-29-6, so everything is being viewed through a retool lens.
Vincent Trocheck puts the New York Rangers in a squeeze
Rangers fans are exhausted right now, and hearing “he wants to stay East” feels like the next chapter of the same uneasy story.
On the ice, Trocheck is a playoff center. He wins draws, tracks back, and plays through contact instead of around it.
That’s exactly why the return has to be big if Chris Drury actually commits to moving him, but Friedman’s note matters, because “East only” narrows the bidding war.
It can also steer Trocheck toward teams he’s comfortable joining, which usually means less drama and faster talks. However, the risk is obvious. Trade him and your middle of the ice gets thinner overnight.
Keep him and you’re betting this group can rebound quickly after the break, even with the room rattled.
Either way, the preference is now out there. If Trocheck does move, don’t be shocked if the destination is an Atlantic or Metro rival that can handle the cap hit and the attitude.
Previously on NY Hockey Insider
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Vincent Trocheck reveals preferred trade destination as the Rangers look to move forward in their retool
Should the New York Rangers trade Vincent Trocheck if he wants to stay in the East?