Larry Brooks of the New York Post responded in a recent mailbag segment that there were lots of rumors about the New York Rangers having interest in Edmonton Oilers center/winger Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
Brooks addmitted that he isn’t buying into the rumors — because he doesn’t believe the Rangers have the salary cap space to add Nugent-Hopkins, who will be an unrestricted free agent next summer — but understands why they might want him.
Even if that’s true, there’s one big catch…
There’s not really a reason for the Oilers to consider moving Nugent-Hopkins. First, should they move him, they’ll need to land another winger in his place. Second, while the Oilers are another team that could have salary cap concerns in the next couple years and need to make some tough decisions, Nugent-Hopkins is an extremely valued member of the team. Third, the rumored offer coming back doesn’t fit with the Oilers long-term plans.
Brooks added that the Rangers will attempt to bulk up at center for next season and that if Ryan Strome leaves in free agency and if Filip Chytil isn’t quite ready, the Rangers could dangle defenseman Tony DeAngelo to the Oilers as trade bait. Again, the Oilers have a good crop of young blueliners coming through the system, so it’s hard to imagine the team moving a player of Nugent-Hopkins’ caliber to add to an area of strength.
For now, consider this just a rumor and not a very reliable one. It doesn’t make sense on a number of levels.
Related: Is Nikita Tryamkin Returning to the Vancouver Canucks?