The Rangers have traded Carson Soucy to the Islanders for the Islanders 2026 third round pick.
Soucy, 31, is a pending UFA.
The Rangers acquired Soucy last season from Vancouver for what turned out to be the 65th overall pick. That pick originally belonged to San Jose, they traded it to Vegas and Vegas traded it to the Rangers, along with Brendan Brisson, for Reilly Smith.
Soucy had a 12-team no-trade clause.
Adam Rotter: The Rangers acquired Soucy last year because they were hoping Soucy would help shore up the defense for their hopeful return to the playoffs this season. He was not great after being acquired last season and while still up and down, he has been better at times this season.
In terms of the return, the third round pick in some ways equals out what the Rangers gave up but the pick is likely to be in the 80s or beyond depending on where the Islanders finish. The only way the Rangers were going to get higher value for Soucy than what they gave up was going to be netting a second round pick and even in a shallow defense market, a second rounder for Soucy was unlikely.
I’m guessing that injury potential and the Islanders likely meeting the asking price of a third round pick explains why this deal is happening now and not closer to the deadline. While the Islanders have certainly surprised this season they are still a bubble playoff team and likely present the highest potential third round pick Chris Drury could have gotten. Philly, Washington, the Devils and Columbus are all within striking distance to a degree of the spot the Isles currently have. The only Metro team not in striking distance….the Rangers.
That it’s the Islanders and only the fourth trade ever between the teams is interesting. Soucy did have some control with his no-trade clause and without knowing what his market was, the Islanders were probably the best option. The Rangers did trade Michael Grabner to the Devils after the 2018 letter. Soucy did just have another kid and while he’ll have a longer commute to Long Island, this is also likely the destination that will alter his life the least. That is likely just a coincidence but also something to note.