The New York Rangers have the chance to take a significant step forward in their retool plans this offseason. The main way they can do so is by trading center Vincent Trocheck. Given the lack of centers on the market, the rangers could hypothetically cash in. However, things were shaken up for about a few days when Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings requested a trade, making him the best option available.
Trocheck felt like an after thought on the trade block, as Larkin is the better player and would instantly solve many teams' problems at the center position. But, Larkin didn't do many teams much of a favor given his incredibly limited no-trade list. Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports that Larkin gave the Red Wings a trade list that only included the Vegas Golden Knights, Minnesota Wild, and Florida Panthers.
The Red Wings and general manager Steve Yzerman are in a position to just hold onto Larkin if they so choose, even though the captain has a full no-movement clause. Those three teams don't necessarily have the assets that Yzerman would be looking for.
Regardless of how that all transpires, the Red Wings could still be a contender for Trocheck. Let's not forget that they were interested in acquiring him leading up to the trade deadline. So, what could the Rangers get in return?
The Athletic details what Rangers could receive from Red Wings in Vincent Trocheck trade
The Athletic's Peter Baugh discussed the Rangers and how they factor into the Larkin trade request from Detroit. Baugh discussed what a potential return the Rangers could get from the Red Wings if they trade Larkin to another team. The package could include one of their young players, a draft pick, and potentially center J.T. Compher.
"Perhaps even the Red Wings look at Trocheck if they move Larkin and don’t get a top-six center back in return. If that happens, New York would likely need to receive a quality young player (potentially Nate Danielson or Marco Kasper), a pick, or a combination of the two in return — as well as potentially a player like J.T. Compher, who could slot in at center behind Mika Zibanejad and J.T. Miller," writes Baugh.
Make no mistake about it, once and if the Red Wings trade away Larkin, their center depth looks pretty dire. They would have to rely on one or both of Nate Danielson or Marco Kasper to take a significant leap in their development to contribute right away. While Trocheck is not on the same level as Larkin, he'd be an instant improvement for the Red Wings.
The Rangers could get one of Kasper or Danielson back in return.
Kasper played in his first full season during the 2024-25 campaign, where he recorded 37 points (19 goals, 18 assists) and a 44.9 face-off win percentage in 77 games. But this past season, Kasper's production dipped, recording just 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) in 81 games. Kasper did improve in the face-off circle, however, putting up a 51.5 win percentage. Even so, overall, it's not quite the leap you'd expect from an NHL player in their second full season.
As for Danielson, he just played in his first season in the NHL, but he was limited to just 28 games due to injury. In that span of games, Danielson recorded two goals, five assists, and a 37.7 face-off win percentage. Danielson obviously still has room for development. Looking at how he performed last season in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins, Danielson posted 12 goals and 27 assists in 71 games.
Meanwhile, Compher would provide the Rangers with some veteran experience at center that would replace Trocheck. He obviously wouldn't replicate what Trocheck could offensively, but he'd fill the void for the next two seasons at maximum. This past season with the Red Wings, Compher recorded 28 points (11 goals, 17 assists) and a 50.9 face-off win percentage.
For the Rangers, the main piece in a return for Trocheck would be a young player llike Kasper or Danielson, and hope that they can develop into a franchise cornerstone for the foreseeable future. The Rangers would obviously hope for a bidding war to drive up the price.
