Despite Rangers giving Vincent Trocheck seven years, here's why this move makes sense

The Rangers found their second-line center in Vincent Trocheck on the free agent market, dishing out a seven-year deal worth $5.625 million per season. 

The price tag is one that might be a shocker for fans considering Trocheck is 29 years old and entering his 11th NHL season. 

But let's forget the duration of the deal for a second: Trocheck is a perfect fit for what Gerard Gallant and Chris Drury are trying to build in New York right now. And that's what matters -- the immediate results coming off a heartbreaking finish in the Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6. 

There was no doubt the Rangers were going to go after a second-line center this offseason, and the likes of Nazem Kadri and ex-Ranger J.T. Miller (via trade) were on the list. 

Trocheck was someone who did well for himself in Carolina the last two-and-a-half seasons, and was also a free agent target many teams would've loved to bring in. 

Why? Well, it helps that Trocheck posted a plus-21 last season, which was a career-best. He also posted 96 points in his time with the Hurricanes, and won 56 percent of faceoffs in 2020-21 and 54.6 last year.

It helped that Trocheck played for a potent Canes squad on a line with Andrei Svechnikov and Martin Necas most nights, as those two complemented him well.

But looking at his fit on the Rangers, it makes perfect sense for a second line that might have Artemi Panarin and Kaapo Kakko (if he agrees to terms), as Trocheck fills the need for an aggressive forechecker who can get those dirty points in front of the net.

For context on how aggressive Trocheck is when he touches the ice, he was eighth in hits last season among NHL centers. When you see guys like Sean Kuraly and Curtis Lazar in front of him, that's what you expect: third- or fourth-line guys who are on the ice to give up the body and wear down opponents.

The Canes, though, are a hyper-aggressive squad -- the Rangers learned that in the playoffs especially -- and everyone makes their contributions in the hits department. Jordan Staal, the center ahead of Trocheck on Carolina's depth chart, was fourth in center hits.

Having that intensity and that aggressive nature on the second line will bode well for New York. Think about The Kid Line during the playoffs. Filip Chytil, who took a big step forward in the second half and the playoffs, was relentless in his pursuit of the puck when it was dumped in. Mixed with Alexis Lafreniere, who could be a first-liner next season, and Kakko, they were able to be pesky and pepper shots on net, which led to offensive production.

Trocheck knows that art and Gallant will be able to see that now on all three lines if everything clicks. It's just a matter of finding the right guys to match up on the lines.

While Ryan Strome had 54 points to slightly top Trocheck's 51 last season, he doesn't match the physicality the latter brings to the table. Trocheck can also be used on both special teams sides of the puck if need be.

And there's also the connection to Gallant, who coached him for two seasons with the Florida Panthers from 2015-2017. Trocheck posted 107 points total in those two years, so Gallant knows how well he can produce.

Overall, the marriage between the two parties is a long one, but fans should recognize right now how good a move this is heading into next season. The Rangers view themselves as title contenders right now and Trocheck has dealt with that pressure in Carolina, delivering each night he wore his sweater.

We can talk about how well Trocheck will be living out the deal down the road, but it's the right move in this championship window for the Blueshirts.