Rangers are holding out Reilly Smith on Sunday for “trade related reasons.” Rangers have already moved Kappo Kakko, Filip Chytil, Ryan Lindgren, and Jimmy Vesey. 5 days until the trade deadline 👀 pic.twitter.com/EiyTImHlM3
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 2, 2025
The Rangers are making sure they don’t make any mistakes regarding their pending UFAS. Yesterday Chris Drury sent Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey to Colorado for Calvin De Haan, Juuso Parssinen, and two draft picks – including a second round selection.
Now what does this mean? How should you feel right now about the current state of the Rangers?
I think the Rangers are doing what they should be. Lindgren, Vesey and Smith all had one foot out the door. Lindgren, god bless his warrior soul, isn’t the same player he has been and that makes sense, right? How many times have you watched 55 bleed? How many times has he gone to the locker room only to come back minutes later in a full body cast? I’ll tell you this, if the Rangers don’t win the cup this year then I’m jumping on the Colorado wagon.
Jimmy Vesey has been a serviceable Ranger but after not finding his name in the lineup for the majority of the year you knew the writing was on the wall.
Reilly Smith will be traded but what will the Blueshirts get in return?
Gustav Nyquist is heading to Minnesota! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/JHGXuFNUfY
— NHL (@NHL) March 1, 2025
If Gustav Nyquist can fetch you a second round pick then you better bet your bottom dollar that Smith *fingers crossed* will command the same kind of attention.
Smith had an okay ride in New York, I guess? Fast forward two years from now and I bet you I will have forgotten that he was even on the Rangers. He joins a group of “They were Rangers?” consisting of Jeff Woywitka, Lee Stempniak, David Desharnais, Matt Puempel, Raffy Diaz and Olli Jokinen. Thank you for your service and welcome to the club.
The Morning Skate 