3 Rangers Stars Could Hit Trade Market If Season Goes Sideways

The New York Rangers have already torn down much of the core that took them to the Eastern Conference Final two years ago. 

According to insider David Pagnotta, an even more dramatic phase of that overhaul could be waiting if the season starts badly.

"I am very curious to see how the first quarter of the season goes for the New York Rangers," Pagnotta said. "If it goes to dog crap, I fully expect, I'm not saying it's gonna happen, I'm just saying if this were to happen at the quarter mark, I would expect names like Adam Fox, Alexis Lafreniere, even Igor to be brought up amongst conversations around the league. If they have a really bad first quarter of the season, then I think Drury and company, to salvage something, are going to start exploring some of those possibilities."

Three Very Different Situations

Pagnotta was careful to note the mechanics differ for each player. "Fox is an interesting one because he's got his no-move, but it modifies next season," he said, referencing a clause that becomes less restrictive going forward. "Lafreniere's been out there for a while, and teams have had those conversations."

Elliotte Friedman: Re Alexis Lafreniere/Rangers: I think that's gonna be an interesting one to watch as the season starts; you can either trade your problem or solve your problem...and I think there's a bit of a chance here for a new lease on life - 32 Thoughts (7/6)

— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) July 25, 2026

Fox, 28, has three years remaining on the seven-year, $66.5 million extension he signed in 2021. Lafreniere, 24, and Shesterkin, 30, are both entering the second year of the deals they signed in 2024, seven years and $52.15 million for Lafreniere, eight years and $92.475 million for Shesterkin.

Why This Wouldn't Be Out Of Character

GM Chris Drury has already reshaped the roster dramatically over the past year, trading away Artemi Panarin, K'Andre Miller, and others as part of the retool. 

David Pagnotta on the Morning Cuppa Hockey Podcast about his early season crap/situation take: “I'm very curious to see how the 1st quarter goes for the New York Rangers. If it goes to godcrap, I fully expect, and I'm not saying it's going to happen, I'm just saying if this were… pic.twitter.com/vjD2E3GeAQ

— R i N K Y (@RinkyReport) September 22, 2026

New York currently has just $1.27M in projected cap space with a full 23-man roster, an extremely tight number that leaves almost no room to add without subtracting first, another factor that could push Drury toward a bigger swing if the season goes poorly rather than a series of small moves.

Pagnotta's own reporting on Lafreniere isn't new. He flagged similar messaging about a potential Lafreniere trade heading into last season too, when the Rangers also opened slowly, though no deal ultimately materialized by the deadline.