Only 3 Players Listed as Untouchable on New York Rangers

The New York Rangers are open for business this summer. That, we know. Another roster upheaval is expected, continuing from the multiple changes made this past season. And while several players are indeed on the trade block, we're hearing that only three are untouchable on the Rangers' roster, as noted by insider Arthur Staple of The Athletic, from what he heard around the NHL Draft Combine this past week:

Igor Shesterkin
Adam Fox
Artemi Panarin

Shesterkin is one of the top goalies in hockey, and was just signed to an eight-year, $92 million extension ($11.5M AAV) that kicks in next season. In five+ seasons in the Big Apple, the Russian netminder has a .917 save percentage, and a 2.52 goals against average with a 162-88-22 record and 21 shutouts. He has one Vezina Trophy on his mantlepiece, and top-10 finishes two other times.

Fox anchors the Blueshirts' blueline, and is a Norris Trophy winner, with four straight finishes in the top-5 in balloting for the award. He has four years to run on a $9.5 million cap hit, and the Rangers will not want to decimate their blueline by dealing him.

Could the Rangers still consider trading Panarin?

Panarin actually has made it into trade rumors this offseason since the Rangers' season ended, but Staple is hearing that the superstar winger likely isn't going anywhere. Panarin had a bit of an off-year (if you could call it that), with 89 points in 80 games being his lowest points-per-game mark in six years. But he still racked up 37 goals, the second-highest total of his career.

Panarin is heading into the final year of his contract, however, at $11.6 million. He's eligible for an extension on July 1. It still makes some sense that they could think about trading him now if they can't see their way to a reasonable extension with the player.

But while those names might not be going anywhere, we'll be hearing plenty about the likes of Chris Kreider, Alexis Lafreniere and K'Andre Miller, and pretty much anyone else on the roster.