The Rangers should not be counted out of the running to trade for Maple Leafs' William Nylander just yet.
While the Blueshirts are not frontrunners, they reportedly do have interest in the 22-year-old restricted free agent and would have no issues parting ways with Brady Skjei, according to Larry Brooks of the New York Post.
Skjei, 24, is the only Ranger under contract through the 2021-22 season but he is off to a slow start this year and is following up on a disappointing 2017-18 campaign.
The lefty defenseman has seven points ( one goal, six assists) and is minus-1 while on the ice and was a healthy scratch for Saturday's game against the Panthers.
Nylander, meanwhile, is in the middle of a holdout for a new contract -- which must be settled on by Dec. 1 or the center risks sitting out the entire season.
The Maple Leafs are in win-now mode and would likely rather trade Nylander for players that can contribute immediately than lose him for the season.
Brooks notes that Skjei may not be enough to entice the Maple Leafs but suggests pairing him with Chris Kreider -- whose contract expires after next season.
Acquiring Nylander -- whose father played two seasons for the Rangers -- would give them a young centerpiece to build around for the future.