Trade deadline week will hopefully not be a dud, but in the buildup to Friday, there’s plenty of rumors flying around, especially given the talent reportedly made available.
Chief among those names is New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck, fresh off tasting glory with Team USA in the Winter Olympics. Trochek’s name has been front and center in the trade speculation leading up to the deadline, and in an interview with the media this week, the Rangers center made his feelings crystal clear on his expectations from the franchise.
New York Rangers’ Vincent Trocheck Reveals Trade Demands
It’s an open secret that the Rangers are in sell-now mode, especially after the letter. Artemi Panarin was the first big trade domino to fall prior to the Winter Olympics break after being dealt to the Los Angeles Kings. But it appears a Trocheck trade could very well be what the rest of the NHL needs to kick off a frenzy.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, March 2, Trochek put some demands on the table over his favored destinations.
“I am 32 years old. I would like to win a Stanley Cup,” Trocheck said.
Speaking on rumors that he wants to stay on the East Coast, the Rangers star added, “I’m sure you’re relating to the ‘I don’t want to be out West’ talk on Instagram or Twitter or whatever. And, yeah, it’s not a secret. They are on my no-trade clause. Family is important to me, and my family is on the East Coast.”
There is, of course, a reason why the Minnesota Wild have been hotly favored to swing a trade for Trocheck. General manager Bill Guerin was a major proponent of having Trochek on Team USA for their gold medal chase, a decision that paid off in leaps and bounds.
The Wild also have a clear need at center and fall in the very small number of teams in the win-now umbrella.
Over at the Milano-Cortina Olympics, Trocheck showcased his mettle as a high-caliber player in the faceoff dot. He was also part of a penalty-killing unit that shut the gates all tournament long, not allowing a single goal through.
History has shown he can also handle heavy minutes, something that will no doubt bolster his appeal to contenders. However, Trocheck all but confirmed he has a 12-team no-trade list.
ALSO READ: Insider Clears the Air on Rumors of Brady Tkachuk Pondering Ottawa Senators Exit
He has three more years left on his contract that clock in at an average annual value of $5.625 million. The Rangers, of course, are under no pressure to deal him right away. They could very well spark a bidding war and maximize their return, especially given the dearth of champion centers available. With Panarin gone, Trocheck is the Rangers’ biggest asset at the deadline. He will not come cheap.
Perhaps Guerin could turn his attention to Calgary Flames star Nazem Kadri?
