The New York Rangers, who are currently in their Stanley Cup contention window, are considering a trade to strengthen their defense. A user on PuckPedia’s new PuckGM tool has suggested a deal where the Rangers would acquire defenseman Shea Theodore from the Vegas Golden Knights in a blockbuster trade. This proposal would allow the Rangers to push for a Stanley Cup victory, while the Golden Knights would gain younger talent and a first-round pick, which is what they need.
Shea Theodore, a key player in the Golden Knights’ 2022 Stanley Cup win, is entering the final year of his seven-year, $36.4 million contract. Last season, he played in 47 games, scoring 5 goals and providing 37 assists, totaling 42 points.
The proposed trade also involves Grigori Denisenko, a former first-round pick by the Florida Panthers in 2018. Denisenko has struggled to secure a regular spot in the NHL, having played 32 games with no goals and 7 assists, but he could provide depth to the Rangers’ lineup.
Additionally, the trade pitch includes Braden Schneider, a 22-year-old defenseman and first-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, who could potentially replace Theodore as a reliable second-pairing defenseman for Vegas. Meanwhile, Reilly Smith, who was acquired by the Rangers this offseason to boost their offense, is also included in the proposal, potentially returning to Vegas, where he was part of their 2022 Cup-winning team.
Rangers’ General Manager Chris Drury has indicated a willingness to make significant changes this offseason after the team’s loss to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Drury stated on June 7 that the organization is exploring various options to improve and reach their ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup.
The Rangers’ offseason has been relatively quiet, with moves including trading for Smith and signing Sam Carrick.
The Golden Knights, on the other hand, faced a challenging offseason after losing key players Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson, and Alec Martinez to free agency, along with William Carrier, Michael Amadio, and Anthony Mantha. Vegas’ General Manager Kelly McCrimmon acknowledged the difficulty of losing these players, especially given their relationships and the fans’ connection to them. The Golden Knights were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Dallas Stars last season.
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