Rangers Linked to Trading for $25M Winger to Add More Scoring

The New York Rangers failed to make the playoffs last season and are hoping to be competitive next year.

New York has been active this offseason, trading Chris Kreider and K’Andre Miller, while signing Vladislav Gavrikov as their big moves. Yet, NHL insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period links the Rangers to trading Seattle Kraken star winger Jared McCann.

“With two more years left on his contract, McCann is an attractive add for teams looking to add more scoring punch to their lineup. He has a 10-team no-trade list and has some say in where he winds up, if the Kraken decide to trade him. Teams reportedly linked: Vancouver, Ottawa, NY Rangers,” Pagnotta wrote.

McCann has two years left on his five-year, $25 million deal with the Kraken. At just $5 million per season, it’s a reasonable price for the Rangers to fit in and be a top-six forward. McCann would likely be the Rangers’ second-line left winger, which would push Will Cuylle down to the third line.

What it would take for New York to acquire McCann from the Kraken is uncertain. But, he’d add some much-needed offense to the lineup as he recorded 22 goals and 39 assists for 61 points in 82 games last season.

Kraken Open to Trading McCann

McCann is a big part of the Kraken’s offense, but Seattle could look to move him.

With the Kraken unlikely to make the playoffs next season, Seattle may opt to move him to get some assets back. NHL insider Jeff Marek of DailyFaceoff said the Kraken are open to trading McCann.

“I do think Seattle are open for business on a lot of things, especially with new GM Jason Botterill in the big chair; I could see Jared McCann available; I don’t think in the long-term future for Seattle that Jared McCann is part of it,” Marek said on Sekers & Price.

McCann is the Kraken’s franchise leader in both goals and points (118 goals, 243 points). But, with Seattle unlikely to make the playoffs, it would be wise for the Kraken to trade the star winger for prospects and draft picks to help their future.

Rangers GM Discusses Active Offseason

New York has been active this offseason, and Rangers’ general manager Chris Drury is happy with it all.

The Rangers’ offseason by trading Kreider, who was a franchise icon, but Drury said it was a key move to make.

“There’s only so much to go around in trying to find the pieces that fit under the cap as we tried to re-work the roster a little bit,” Drury said. “He’s a Rangers legend and will always be a Ranger in my eyes, and I think in a lot of our fans’ eyes. We were able to work with him and his agent and figure out the best spot for him.”

The Rangers’ other big move was signing Gavrikov and trading Miller to shake up the D-Core.

“It starts in our D-zone,” Drury said when asked about how Gavrikov will improve the team. “We have to be better in our zone, we have to be better in front of (Igor Shesterkin) and (Jonathan Quick). To me, that’s the mindset he shows up with every single day.

“The size, the reach, the competitiveness, the way he defends and the way he is able to complement his partner, whether that’s (Adam) Fox or any other of our right-shot D that we have, that’s what excited all of us in targeting this player. Thrilled to be able to have him as a key part of that D corps,” Drury added.

The Rangers have just over $777k in cap space.