There will likely be more teams calling the New York Rangers about center Vincent Trocheck this offseason
The Chris Johnston Show: Chris Johnston on New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
McKenzie: “I bounced around, and I know Vincent Trocheck is number one, and we did touch off on the fact that Minnesota expressed some interest in event at the deadline. Anyone else who could be looking for a guy like Vinny Trocheck. At 32, played 67 games last this past season, 53 points. Still a valuable center for what he does.”
Johnston: “Yeah, he is, and you know, we know the Leafs have at least made contact there as an example. I think a lot of teams that are, you know, a lot of the good teams, frankly, this is someone you would plug into your lineup, and you know, you know, he’s just been there, done that. He won a gold medal at the Olympics. Was a monster for Team USA in the face-off, as a penalty killer.
And so I think that you look at teams that are in the, in the win now mode. Or trying to, in the Leafs case, get back to a place where they’re competitive for a playoff spot, and you know, basically getting back to where they were. And they see that as a possibility.
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Now you know the Rangers, for you know all the reasons we’ve highlighted, the fact this guy was number one or number two on the trade board most of the season, and was even scratched, if you remember, prior to trade deadline. As for one of those roster protection type of issues.
You know, he didn’t move because they didn’t get, you know, what they needed to make it make sense for from New York’s end. I think that there was a bet at that time that there’d be more teams that come into the picture as they into the summer.
But it’s, you know, it’s going to be, I think, you’re gonna have to pay a fair price to get a Vinny Trocheck at this stage of his career. And so, you know, that’s kind of the tension that lies there.
But you know, there’s, there’s certainly a lot of teams that I think could use a player like this. And you know, maybe some different teams that we’re not focused on, because in the season you’re making that trade at the deadline, it’s usually only the playoff teams. I think that there’s a wide window that that could use someone as functional as he is, and his ability to bounce around and perform a lot of jobs for your team.”
McKenzie: “Wonder if Montreal could be among that list too, considering the depth they could use. It’s not saying that their depth that center is depleted, but like I think that’s a hole they could still fill. Maybe you put them in the middle of your lineup, just as an example of a team.”
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Johnston: “Yeah, it’s pretty clear. I mean, I’m sure we’ll get into a bit of a playoff talk at some point, but Montreal needs more good players, and this is a good player. And not saying that’s the best use of their assets. I mean, they’re going to have to look at a number of guys out there.
But you know it’s a, it’s probably been a humbling experience, I would say, these last few days in Eastern Conference Final for the Canadians. Just with the way they’re, you know, the gap between them and the Hurricanes. Frankly, I know there’s two overtime games, but if you look at the run of play in the series, it’s pretty clear that the Canadians have some ground to make up.
Obviously, they’re young team, but I think they’ll look to, you know, they were trying to be aggressive at the trade deadline. They didn’t make a deal of any consequence, but I could see them revisiting that before the draft. I mean, it’s certainly been something Kent Hughes has done each of the last few offseason, he’s made some big trades leading into the draft, and I would expect they’ll be aggressive again.
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