A look at the Rangers moves, rating each acquisition, and what this means for the rest of the season.
The New York Rangers have consistently been performing at the top of the league this season and are looking to be competitive against playoff-bound powerhouses like Florida, Carolina, and Boston. Many figured a focus for General Manager Chris Drury and team would be finding a suitable winger to help jumpstart the Zibanejad-Krieder line that has struggled, particularly at full strength. The Rangers name was thrown around as a contender for multiple trades throughout the deadline, but as notable forwards continued to be acquired (Tarasenko, Mittelstadt, Henrique, Guentzel, Vatrano), the Rangers were not in on the deal. While New York didn’t have as busy of a deadline as some, the team was able to make some notable additions to the roster.
Move: Wennberg from Seattle
On Wednesday, March 6th, the Rangers acquired Seattle Kraken forward Alex Wennberg in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2024 draft and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2025 draft, originally acquired from the Dallas Stars. The fourth-round pick can become a third-round if Dallas defenseman Nils Lundkvist (who was acquired from the Rangers in 2022) tallies a combined 55 points between the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 seasons.
Rating: Okay
This was the initial move that started the deadline rush for Rangers fans. There was a high level of anticipation around potential forwards the Rangers could take; Wennberg was not necessarily considered one of the top targets. In the conditions of the deal, Seattle retains 50 percent of Wennberg’s contract. He’s in the final season of a three-year contract with Seattle and will become a free agent at the end of the season. Drafted in 2013 by the Columbus Blue Jackets, Wennberg has playoff experience and currently has 25 points in 60 games. He can slide in as a third-line center and hopefully be productive. Not a wow factor trade, but the Rangers don’t lose much on the deal.
Move: Ruhwedel from Pittsburgh
March 8th, the trade deadline, kicked off with the Rangers acquiring defenseman Chad Ruhwedel from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2027 draft.
Rating: Good
Chad Ruhwedel is a veteran defenseman with playoff experience. He’s played consistent minutes for Pittsburgh on the right side and can serve as a helpful addition in light of Captain Jacob Trouba being out for at least 2-3 weeks with a lower-body injury. Again, the Rangers don’t give up much on this trade and come up with a valid substitute for a depleted defense. An all-around positive move.
Move: Petan from Minnesota
The next move involved AHL players as the Rangers acquired forward Nic Petan, who has split his time between the Minnesota Wild and their AHL affiliate Iowa Wild, in exchange for Turner Elson of the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Rating: Good
This move relates to the Rangers AHL affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack, who are making a playoff push of their own. While it’s possible Petan could play for the Rangers, he most likely will be assigned to the Wolf Pack upon clearing waivers. The Wolf Pack have recently lent players like Adam Edstrom and Matt Rempe to the Rangers and could use additional forward support. Petan has been an AHL all-star and a solid offensive producer for the Iowa Wild squad. All in all, a move that helps the Wolf Pack, helps the Rangers.
Move: Roslovic from Columbus
The Rangers capped off the trade deadline with the acquisition of forward Jack Roslovic from the Columbus Blue Jackets for a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2024 draft. The pick can become a third-round if the Rangers advance to the Stanley Cup Final.
Rating: Good
In the Rangers’ final move of the deadline, the elusive winger was finally acquired. Roslovic has played on the Blue Jackets top line with Boone Jenner and Johnny Gaudreau and has been a facilitator and solid playmaker. If he can have the same type of success with Zibanejad and Kreider that will provide a much needed boost to the offense. In this trade, the Rangers don’t get a Guentzel or a Tarasenko, but they also don’t give up key players or their 2024 first-round draft pick.
Drury and the Rangers addressed pressing needs without overspending and as a result, the team puts themselves in the position to be competitive in the playoffs. The next month of play will determine if these new pieces can gel well enough to become a formidable opponent against the top teams in the league.
