Vincent Trocheck's Preference for Destination Complicates Trade Talks
Vincent Trocheck is unquestionably the most highly-desired of the New York Rangers' trade chips as we approach the March 6th deadline. There are plenty of teams interested. For instance, he has frequently been linked to the Minnesota Wild.
But insider David Pagnotta has reaffirmed earlier reports that Trocheck has a particular preference (and a 12-team no-trade list) for his next destination. Several teams around the league need not apply, as Pagnotta intimated on the DFO Rundown on Wednesday.
His preference is stay East. Or close to it... How far West he might be willing to go might determine what other options would be available to him. We know he doesn't wanna go to the Pacific. But is there a team in the Central that perhaps makes sense outside of Minnesota?
If Trocheck wants to be with a Stanley Cup contender, he may need to rethink the whole Eastern Conference-only thing to open up his possibilities, as Pagnotta suggests. The Central Division is certainly rife with Cup favorites, with the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars as others, in addition to Minnesota, that would love to have Trocheck in their middle-six.
Trocheck would be ideal playoff addition for contenders down the middle
His tenacious two-way play, his high face-off efficiency, and his consistent secondary scoring would be a boon to any team heading into the postseason.
For the Wild, GM Bill Guerin got a close-up look at Trocheck on the Gold Medal-winning USA Olympic Team. But depending on how adamant the Rangers' center is on staying east of the Mississippi, it might be difficult to convince him to go.
In his prefered East, the Detroit Red Wings (tied for 2nd in the Atlantic with 72 points) are the most likely frontrunner, with the Carolina Hurricanes (78 pts, first in the Metro) also being mentioned as top suitors.
Trocheck carries a manageable $5.625 million cap hit for four more seasons after this one, so the price tag on a trade will be high.
Photo: © Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images
