There wasn’t a complete lot of motion for the Rangers throughout the NHL draft this past weekend since the organization isn’t focused on picks or prospects, just what the 2024-25 team goes to appear like, which is business higher fitted to the primary day of free agency on Monday.
July 1 was at all times imagined to be the date Blueshirts president and general manager Chris Drury could really begin retooling anyway, especially because it’s the day captain Jacob Trouba’s no-move clause turns right into a 15-team no-trade list.
Indeed, the Rangers’ desire to maneuver on from their third captain within the last decade has echoed across the NHL.
It’s been all over the place, with increasingly private details of the situation spilling out into the general public eye.
![Jacob Trouba](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/rangerstrouba.jpg?w=1024)
The Post’s Larry Brooks reported Drury was working on a trade that will send Trouba to Detroit, which might allow the veteran defenseman to return to the state where he grew up and played a yr of school hockey.
Plus, his buddy and one-time Ranger Andrew Copp is there, too.
Trouba’s no-trade list could derail any plan, but it surely’s hard to assume a greater scenario for the 30-year-old.
Anything is best than remaining in a spot you aren’t any longer wanted.
Because the countdown to Trouba’s departure ticks, the one other player who’s loudly rumored to be on the trading block is Kaapo Kakko, who last month agreed to a tradeable contract at his qualifying offer price of $2.4 million.
Otherwise, Monday can be concerning the free-agent marketplace for the Rangers.
The Rangers is not going to get their coveted reunion with Patrick Kane after the 35-year-old forward agreed to a one-year deal to stay in Detroit.
A second act on Broadway for Kane would’ve been welcomed by a Rangers organization that understandably wasn’t satisfied along with his first stint in Manhattan within the second half of the 2022-23 season.
![Chris Drury](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/rangersdrury.jpg?w=1024)
Nevertheless, Kane will look to assist the Red Wings end an eight-year playoff drought next season.
Other notable forwards expected to be available and potentially draw interest from the Rangers include longtime Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, in addition to wingers Jake DeBrusk and Tyler Bertuzzi.
The Rangers will likely check in on DeBrusk, who can play each wings, but they won’t overpay.
If Trouba is on his way out, nevertheless, Drury goes to must make up for the lack of a player who logged 21-plus minutes a game, killed penalties and brought a physical presence to the back end.
That and presumably find one other third-pair defenseman to interchange Erik Gustafsson, who is about to develop into an unrestricted free agent.
Lefty Nikita Zadorov is an attractive player to look into after the 6-foot-6, 248-pound defenseman had a powerful playoff performance with 4 goals and 4 assists in 13 postseason games with the Canucks.
TSN’s Darren Dregor reported the Canucks went as high as $5 million of their offer to Zadorov and that wasn’t enough, so it’s difficult to assume the Rangers paying greater than that — especially in the event that they find yourself having to retain a few of Trouba’s salary.
All can be much clearer Monday night.
That’s when the actual business begins for the Rangers.