Vincent Trocheck's Olympic gold run is boosting his trade value as the center market tightens

The New York Rangers difficult season has made for a likely sell-off that the Rangers were not anticipating to start the season.

Like the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Rangers have had an unexpected slide out of contention rise, and it could see Toronto copy the Rangers blueprint depending on their next moves.

Injuries have impacted multiple key members of the Rangers roster, including former Vezina winner Igor Shesterkin and former Norris winner Adam Fox both on injured reserve.

The Rangers sit in last place in the Eastern Conference with a 22-27-9 record on the season, with 50 points after 57 games played. The Rangers have lost their last four games.

Already moved out was star winger Artemi Panarin, an expiring contract who was dealt to the Los Angeles Kings for LA's top prospect. Liam Greentree, along with a conditional third round pick.

As a positive for the Rangers in a gloom of a season, New York could see the trade deadline give them a much needed boost necessary for a retooling to get them back into contention for next season with a roster back at full health.

The 2026 Olympics may have been favorable to Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck as a potential trade option on the market.

Trocheck, who was one of the surprise names added to the American Olympic roster, was able to provide himself well as a reliable defensive forward and a skilled faceoff taker.

It was reported earlier today that the Minnesota Wild have been in serious trade talks with the Rangers over Trocheck, but the hold up has been Minnesota not wanting to part with top youngster Danila Yurov in return.

Minnesota managed to hold off on dealing Yurov in the deal to acquire Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks, but lost key prospects in Zeev Buium and Liam Öhgren.

The Wild have an uncertain prospect pool, with Yurov and Jesper Wallstedt having graduated, with the top prospects being wild cards for the Wild, Adam Benak, Riley Heidt, & David Jiricek among them.

The depth that the Wild have in their prospect pool is still enough to swing a deal for Trocheck but for a forward that fills a need of a middle-six energy center, Minnesota will have it tough creating an intriguing offer that doesn't include Yurov.

Trocheck, 32, is signed until 2029 at $5.6M annually, a contract that very well could look like a bargain next season with a rising cap.

Trocheck's market could set the market for centers depending on what the Rangers can get back for Trocheck in a trade.

Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Marie-Philip Poulin receives formal apology from Olympic Committee following speech controversy