There’s always plenty of rumors that happen around the NHL offseason, and with the regular season over, that’s the case this year as well. We’re hearing all types of rumors about the New York Rangers, and while some make sense, there are many Rangers rumors that make no sense. These Rangers rumors that make no sense range from big blockbuster trades to overall team structure. There’s a lot for us to digest as the Ranger are going to be involved in many offseason rumors, but here are 3 Rangers rumors that make no sense at all.
Adam Fox to San Jose Sharks
I can’t ever tell if the whole Adam Fox to San Jose rumor is coming from people wanting to see a top five pick traded, the Sharks actually being interested in such a move, or both. Still, this is number one of Rangers rumors that make no sense, as it simply makes absolutely no sense for the Rangers.
The argument is that the Rangers could get the 2nd pick in a deal for Fox, then use the 2nd pick on, say, a top forward, while using the 5th pick on a top defenseman. That’s great in theory, but doesn’t mix with the timeline the Rangers have been working on at all.
Losing Adam Fox would be catastrophic to the Rangers playoff hopes. They would essentially have zero puck moving defensemen, unless the player they draft can be a star in the NHL immediately.
New York cannot be in a quick turnaround retool and also trade Fox. It doesn’t work.
Pavel Dorofyev to the Rangers
At least Pavel Dorofyev to the Rangers makes some sense, as there’s a need and Vegas needs cap relief. Even then, the Rangers do not have the assets to make such a trade. Even less likely is the Rangers somehow finding a way to offer sheet Dorofyev without their 2027 2nd round pick.
Dorofyev is an excellent player who would absolutely help the Rangers, but the Rangers don’t have the pieces to make a trade for him work. Additionally, even if they did, they’d be better off using those assets on a defenseman or a center. I do think this one has more validity to it than the rumors about Adam Fox being traded, but I don’t see a world in which the assets line up for the Rangers to acquire Dorofyev.
The Rangers are a piece or two away
For some reason, there are corners of the internet who seem to think that the Rangers just need a defenseman and a bottom six forward and then suddenly they are playoff contenders. That’s not the case, nor is it close to the case. The Rangers need a top line forward, a clearly top six forward, about three defensemen, and likely more. New York might have a chance at inching into the playoffs if absolutely everything goes right, but looking at this team as a close team is one of the silliest things you can do this offseason.