Rangers Roundup: Gorton will be patient with trades

Anthony Scultore Updated: Feb 20, 2019

Matt Larkin of NHL.com spoke with New York Rangers GM, Jeff Gorton about the upcoming trade deadline.

Spoke to New York Rangers GM Jeff Gorton today about pending UFAs Mats Zuccarello and Kevin Hayes. Sounds like it'll go down to the wire, but my read on our discussion is that Rangers will cash in the chips for right offer. Some thoughts from Gorton: pic.twitter.com/iSduQ24dfT
— Matt Larkin (@MLarkinHockey) February 20, 2019

This coincides with what I’ve been gathering as well.

On Mats Zuccarello, this will not be he last game as NYR. I believe he will at least play Thursday at home against Minny and possible scratched Saturday vs. NJ. I implore all fans at that game to cheer Zuccarello passionately and chant “Thank You Zucc!”
— Forever Blueshirts (@4EverBlueshirts) February 19, 2019

The consensus on return is that the Rangers are looking for 1st round picks. However, rumblings are out there that Gorton wants to address one of the team’s biggest needs; defense.

While all the talk about the #NYR at the deadline is who are they trading, very little on what they may trade for. Rumblings out there are that they’re looking at fixing the blue line.
— Forever Blueshirts (@4EverBlueshirts) February 20, 2019

Two defenseman that have been connected to the Rangers over the last week or so are Carolina’s Dougie Hamilton and Ottawa’s Cody Ceci. The price on Hamilton will be very high but it is possible that Ceci could be more within Gorton’s price range. It should also be noted that Ceci is on Tampa Bay’s target list as well.

Additional note has Adam McQuaid linked to the Maple Leafs for at least a 3rd or 4th round pick. We will stay on all this and update you as info comes.