12PM: Elliotte Friedman said on NHL Network that the Rangers and Red Wings continue talking about Trouba and it’s possible that the deal is finished today.
10:12 AM: The Rangers are slated to pick at:
- Round 4: 127
- Round 5: 159
- Round 6: 191
The Rangers drafted defenseman EJ Emery last night at pick #30.
Adam Rotter: The Rangers didn’t move up, didn’t trade Kaapo Kakko and didn’t move Jacob Trouba….yet. With only three picks this could be a very quiet day for the Rangers or it could see them making their moves today to pick up more picks or to make sure they have cleared the cap space they feel they need for Monday.
Both could still move today, especially if the Rangers trade Kakko for futures that they can either use in future drafts or at the trade deadline, but it seems unlikely that they will get something of major value directly for Kakko other than cap space. But since the Rangers are in a window to win right now, cap space might be most important.
And while you’d probably prefer to get everything lined up and ready ahead of time, the Rangers technically don’t need to make these moves to free up cap space until 12:01PM on Monday. Maybe they happen sooner, but the Rangers don’t need the space until free agency officially opens.