Rangers Trade Rumors Heat Up

**Corey** (0:00)
It's June 23rd. I'm Corey with the story. This is New York Rangers News Today, driven by AI and built for fans.
Word on the street is the New York Rangers are looking to shake things up this off season. After a last place finish in the Eastern Conference, General Manager Chris Drury is under pressure to retool the roster. With no superstar free agents available, all eyes are on Drury's plan to make the team tougher and nastier. This isn't the first time this kind of talk has surfaced. Back in 2021, after a rough game against Tom Wilson, owner James Dolan was reportedly furious.
The team's leadership at the time was let go, and Drury took over with a mandate to build a more physical squad. That led to moves like trading Pavel Buchnevich for Sammy Blaze and bringing in players like Barclay Goodrow and Ryan Reeves. While they made a playoff run that year, they ultimately fell short against a more skilled Tampa Bay Lightning team.
Now, reports suggest Alexis Lafrenière's name is being floated as a potential trade candidate. Lafrenière, who recently signed a seven-year deal, showed flashes of brilliance last season, especially in the latter half. Trading him for a player who fits the tougher and nastier mold could be a risky move, reminiscent of the Buchnevich trade. With free agency kicking off on July 1st, fans are eagerly awaiting clarity on Drury's strategy. The hope is that whatever plan he has in motion doesn't end up being another step, especially if it means parting ways with promising young talent.