A player on the market that has some term left and brings a reliable defensive game is Philadelphia Flyer Rasmus Ristolainen. Ristolainen is a big, imposing defenseman who thrives in physical play. He's not afraid to throw hits, clear the crease or engage in battles along the boards.

But there is more noise on the horizon and, if the Rangers allow it, there will be more distractions which this team will have to navigate. It won’t be unique to the Blueshirts in advance of the March 7 trade deadline but the chatter has already — and only — just begun.

The Nashville Predators have had a disappointing season in 2024-25. The Predators made the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2024 after a fantastic second half of the season. And they signed the likes of Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault in NHL Free Agency to try and take that proverbial next step.

It’s no secret at this point that the Vancouver Canucks are listening to trade offers on J.T. Miller. There is a reported rift between Miller and fellow Canucks star Elias Pettersson, and it seems as if a boiling point has been reached.

Trade talks between the Rangers and Canucks for J.T. Miller were reportedly progressing, but a deal was ultimately not finalized.

During Sportsnet's "Saturday Headlines" segment, Friedman reported that the Canucks were close to trading Miller to the Rangers, with talks advancing to the point where the 31-year-old was expected to be scratched from the lineup.