The Rangers welcomed Alex Wennberg into the lineup during Thursday’s practice, marking the first step in rebuilding their batting lineup.
Wennberg is the first of several additions president and general manager Chris Drury plans to bring to the Metropolitan Division-leading Blueshirts ahead of Friday’s trade deadline at 3 p.m. , the lineup remained up in the air as head coach Peter Laviolette tested his bottom. Six.
Rangers’ next challenge is to sign a top right-winger, but the club are also looking to add defensive depth.
The Rangers were in the Jake Guentzel sweepstakes, but they weren’t the only candidates.
Carolina’s significant salary reduction through salary waivers on Thursday gives the Hurricanes room to take a chance on something big, with Guentzel being their No. 1 target.
Pittsburgh GM Kyle Dubas reportedly intended to acquire at least a first-round pick and a top prospect in exchange for Guentzel.
It’s safe to assume the Rangers would have had to part with at least a 2024 first-round pick and Kaapo Kakko to make it.
According to multiple reports, the Hurricanes have removed Michael Bunting from the lineup for Thursday night’s game against the Canadiens because he is included in the package to Pittsburgh.
A reunion with Frank Vatrano is attracting the attention of the Rangers.
The Ducks sharpshooter complemented Rangers mainstays Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider as they reached the Eastern Conference Finals together in 2021-22.
With one full year remaining on his $3.65 million contract, Vatrano could provide the Rangers some stability at the position until after the 2024-25 playoffs.
The 29-year-old is in the midst of his career, having scored 29 goals and provided 20 assists in 62 games so far this season.
After the Sharks released Anthony Duclair to the Lightning on Thursday night, the Blues’ Pavel Buchnevich will be the only option for the Rangers’ reunion.
The Russian winger has already proven that Vatrano can work alongside Zibanejad and Kreider, meaning Vatrano will fill that need until 2024-25, when the final year of his $5.8 million contract ends. provides a similar situation.
Buchnevich, who is also on the 12-team no-trade list, must maintain his salary.
The Rangers have already completed a trade with the Kraken, but Jordan Eberle’s status in Seattle is still unclear.
According to league sources, the Kraken would like to extend the 33-year-old winger’s contract, but are currently at an impasse over his term.
If the two teams cannot reach an agreement, Eberle could be available before the deadline.
The hiring of Senators defenseman Jacob Chychulun would be a slightly different move for the Rangers, who appear to be prioritizing strengthening their forward group.
But the way Cishurun strengthens the Rangers’ top-six defensemen could mean further leveraging their assets.
The Rangers are looking to strengthen their defense, even if it’s not a high-profile name like Chychulun.
Depending on his recovery schedule, Ben Harpur could be an in-house option.
Officials said Harpool will miss the remainder of the Wolfpack season after undergoing chest surgery, but has resumed skating.
The 6-foot-6 blueliner, who appeared in 42 games for the Rangers last season, will give the team size and muscle on the back end. Zach Jones has been on the wing all season, appearing in just 17 games this season, but bulking up appears to be his ultimate goal.
