Rangers Weigh Keeping or Trading Center Vincent Trocheck

Former goalie Martin Biron questions if Rangers should hold onto veteran center this offseason.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 5:21pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game or match involving the New York Rangers, with sharp, overlapping planes of blue, red, and navy colors representing the dynamic action on the ice.The Rangers' decision on veteran center Vincent Trocheck's future will be a key part of their offseason retool as they aim to quickly return to playoff contention.NYC Today

The New York Rangers are facing a major decision this offseason on whether to trade veteran center Vincent Trocheck or keep him on the roster. Former Rangers goalie and current NHL analyst Martin Biron believes it's not out of the question for the team to hold onto Trocheck, 33, depending on what they can get in return and how he fits into their long-term plans.

Why it matters

The Rangers have a deep center position with Mika Zibanejad, Trocheck, J.T. Miller, and Noah Laba, but three of those four players will be 33 or older next season. Deciding Trocheck's future is a key part of the team's offseason retool as they look to quickly return to playoff contention.

The details

General manager Chris Drury was expected to trade Trocheck before the March 6 NHL trade deadline this season, even sitting him out a game for roster management. But Drury held onto Trocheck, unwilling to move him unless the team received the right package in return. Biron believes the Rangers have to carefully evaluate if keeping Trocheck is the best move, considering his age and the team's overall direction.

  • The NHL trade deadline was on March 6, 2026.
  • The 2026-27 NHL season will be Trocheck's age 33 season.

The players

Vincent Trocheck

A 33-year-old veteran center for the New York Rangers who was nearly traded at the 2026 NHL trade deadline.

Chris Drury

The general manager of the New York Rangers who decided not to trade Trocheck at the 2026 trade deadline despite expectations he would move the veteran center.

Martin Biron

A former NHL goaltender who is now a television and radio analyst, and has questioned whether the Rangers should keep or trade Trocheck this offseason.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know if you need to follow through this summer on Vincent Trocheck, because you have to have a plan for your team. Does he fit the plan? Are you a better team with Trocheck in, or with Trocheck out? Well, it depends on what you can get in return. Are you a good team with players like Trocheck, [Alexis] Lafreniere, or even Adam Fox? Are you a playoff team? Are you a competitive team?”

— Martin Biron, Former NHL Goalie and Current Analyst

What’s next

The Rangers will need to decide whether to trade Trocheck this offseason or keep him on the roster, based on what they can get in return and how he fits into their long-term plans.

The takeaway

The Rangers' decision on Trocheck's future is a key part of their offseason retool, as they look to quickly return to playoff contention with an aging but talented center group. Keeping Trocheck could provide short-term stability, but trading him for the right package could also help the team's long-term outlook.