Demetra Polito '24
A third-line center and first-line right wing are at the top of general manager Chris Drury's priority list. The Rangers are buyers at the NHL trade deadline, with links to the Anaheim Ducks and Seattle Kraken in trade rumors.
With Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, and Alexis Lafreniere leading the Blueshirts all season, it's not a secret that the Rangers are amongst the league’s elite. They have been close to the top of the league standings nearly all season. But they have flaws, and deepening the forward group will elevate them to serious Cup contenders.
Forwards, Alex Wennberg and Jordan Eberle from Seattle, are on the market and pose a similar combination deal to what Vatrano and Henrique would be from Anaheim. Wennberg is a center who could slot into the Rangers on the third or fourth lines. He has nine goals and 25 points thus far in 2023-24.
The Metropolitan Division-leading team added blue-line depth by acquiring Chad Ruhwedel from The Penguins, a team that is suddenly entering a rebuilding mode. They also got a center, Jack Roslovic, from Columbus.
The Rangers needed to be smart to make a good team better without disrupting chemistry. "I had a lot of confidence in the group going into the Deadline, and they've given me good reason to be confident," Drury said.
“First of all, it’s a dream come true to play for the Rangers,” Wennberg said as he greeted the media following his first practice. “Then also, in this position pushing for the playoffs – Seattle, we were fighting to get in, and now instead, I feel like I can help this team reach the playoffs. I want to win the Cup as well, so it’s a great opportunity."