The Rangers are aggressively pursuing a trade for Winnipeg defenseman Jacob Trouba, according to the New York Post, but they're not alone.
The rival Islanders and Devils are also in the mix for Trouba, per the Post.
Trouba, a 25-year-old righty, is a restricted free agent who's been the subject of trade rumors for quite some time. With the Jets facing a cap issues, a Trouba trade might finally happen this offseason. The NHL Draft is next weekend and free agency starts on July 1, so it could happen sooner than later.
The 6-3, 202-pound Trouba had 50 points (eight goals, 42 assists) during the 2018-19 season, 18 of those points coming on power plays.
Trouba would provide a big boost to the Rangers' defense corps and become their first-pair right-side defenseman. He won't come cheap, though, and it would also require signing Trouba to a pricey, long-term contract.
In addition to holding the No. 2 pick in the NHL Draft, the Rangers also have the No. 20 pick, which they acquired from Winnipeg at the trade deadline in the Kevin Hayes deal.
A trade for Trouba would seem to make it more likely that the Rangers buy out either Kevin Shattenkirk or Brendan Smith -- or perhaps both. Adam Fox, whom the Rangers acquired from Carolina earlier this offseason, Tony DeAngelo and Neal Pionk are also right-side defensemen.
Meanwhile, Sportsnet reports that the Sabres have spoken to the Rangers about Jimmy Vesey. Buffalo's interest in Vesey isn't surprising. It acquired Vesey's rights from Nashville in 2016 when Vesey was set to become an unrestricted free agent after his senior year at Harvard. Buffalo wanted a window of exclusive negotiating rights before Vesey hit the market, but it couldn't convince him to sign.
