The New York Rangers have entered the 2025 offseason in urgent need of change. After winning the Presidents’ Trophy in the 2023–24 NHL season with the league’s best record, the team followed up with a massive letdown in 2024–25, finishing 5th in the Metropolitan Division and missing the playoffs.

Their final record: 39 wins, 36 losses, 7 overtime losses.

General Manager Chris Drury began his response by firing head coach Peter Laviolette and hiring Mike Sullivan, a coach with two Stanley Cup wins (2016, 2017) from his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins. But the roster itself also needs changes. The Rangers were hoping to build around a new No. 1 center, and they had their eyes on Jack Eichel of the Vegas Golden Knights—a player they had previously tried to acquire in 2021 when he was still with the Buffalo Sabres.

That plan is now dead.

Elliotte Friedman: “Jack Eichel is Staying in Vegas”

In late May 2025, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported on his 32 Thoughts Podcast that Jack Eichel will not leave the Vegas Golden Knights. Despite being just over a year away from unrestricted free agency—his contract ends after the 2025–26 season—Eichel and Vegas are committed to each other.

Friedman’s exact words were:

“They’re happy with him. He’s happy with them. You know, these negotiations, they’re always a grind. But I’d be shocked if he is anywhere but Vegas in a year from now. Shocked.”

This confirms that Vegas plans to extend Eichel, who is eligible for an extension this summer. For the Rangers, it means the end of their hopes to sign or trade for him.

Eichel’s value is at an all-time high. He just completed his best NHL season with 28 goals, 66 assists, and 94 total points in 77 games. He also remains the offensive centerpiece for Vegas, who still view themselves as a championship-caliber team.

The Rangers, who had previously failed to land Eichel in 2021, will now have to look elsewhere to solve their center-depth problems. His contract would have aligned with the Rangers’ current financial structure. Artemi Panarin’s contract also expires after 2025–26, and Chris Kreider’s deal ends after 2026–27.

Rangers’ 2024–25 Season Breakdown and Fallout

The Rangers’ collapse in the 2024–25 season was both fast and costly. They began the year with a 10-5-1 record in their first 16 games but then fell into inconsistency. By the end of the season, they had slipped to 5th place in the Metropolitan Division, behind teams like the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils, and failed to secure even a Wild Card spot.

Their final record was 39 wins, 36 regulation losses, and 7 overtime losses. Missing the playoffs just one season after finishing first in the NHL was unacceptable.

As a result, head coach Peter Laviolette was fired. GM Chris Drury hired Mike Sullivan to take over coaching duties. Sullivan last coached the Pittsburgh Penguins and led them to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. Sullivan brings a more structured and disciplined system. He’s expected to demand more consistency, especially from aging veterans like Chris Kreider.

Kreider’s Decline and Trade Possibility

Chris Kreider, 34, had one of his worst statistical seasons in years. After multiple strong seasons as a power-play threat and net-front presence, his 2024–25 stats were 22 goals, 8 assists, and 30 points total. For comparison, Kreider scored 52 goals in 2021–22. His output has dropped sharply.

Kreider’s current contract pays him $6.5 million per season and lasts until the end of 2026–27. With that in mind, and the team shifting direction under Mike Sullivan, Kreider may be traded this offseason. Several NHL insiders expect Drury to explore offers, especially if it allows the team to clear cap space and bring in younger talent or a reliable second-line center.

Mika Zibanejad Rebounds with Team Sweden

While Kreider struggled, Mika Zibanejad showed signs of turning things around, just not in a Rangers uniform. After a frustrating season where he scored 62 points in 82 games, a drop from 91 in 2021–22 and 72 in 2022–23, Zibanejad joined Team Sweden for the 2025 IIHF World Championship.

In that tournament, Zibanejad recorded 4 goals in 6 games. Swedish teammate Rasmus Andersson praised him, saying, “He takes on that leadership role… He’s been really himself here.”

Zibanejad admitted that he lost confidence early in the NHL season. He said, “Mentally, what I went through the first few months was probably the toughest I’ve ever been through in my career… I didn’t play for free.” Now, under Mike Sullivan, Zibanejad could be key to turning the Rangers around, especially if he brings that same poise and leadership back to New York.

Brock Nelson Becomes a Priority Target

With Eichel off the board, the Rangers are turning their attention to Brock Nelson, a 33-year-old center who finished the season with the Colorado Avalanche after being traded from the New York Islanders.

Nelson’s 2024–25 regular season stats were 26 goals, 30 assists, and 56 points in 80 games, with a +8 plus-minus rating. In the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Nelson played 7 games, recording 0 goals, 4 assists, a +2 rating, and 17 minutes and 50 seconds average ice time. The Avalanche were eliminated in the first round by the Dallas Stars, and Nelson is expected to become a free agent.

The Rangers are expected to make an offer. Nelson, drafted 30th overall in 2010 by the Islanders, is familiar with New York and may welcome a return. However, the Rangers will face competition. The Toronto Maple Leafs, eliminated by the Florida Panthers in Game 7, are rumored to be looking for center depth. With John Tavares potentially hitting free agency, Nelson could be on their list.

NHL Free Agency opens on July 1 at 12:00 PM ET, and Nelson will likely receive multiple offers. The Rangers will need to act fast and offer a competitive deal.

Giancarlo Stanton is once again out of the New York Yankees lineup, this time because of tendonitis in both elbows. While fans expected him to begin a rehab assignment soon, that will not happen yet. According to Yankees manager Aaron Boone, Stanton is not ready and there is no set timeline for his return.

This update came during the Subway Series against the New York Mets over the weekend, where the Yankees won two out of three games. Brian Hoch of MLB.com shared the news on X, formerly Twitter, shortly before the final game of the series. Although the Yankees beat the Mets, the lack of progress from Stanton was the biggest story.

Stanton’s Past Numbers Still Matter, But His Health Is the Problem

In 2018, he hit a 121.7 MPH home run, the fastest ever recorded in Major League Baseball. During the 2024 season, he had 97 hits, 72 RBIs, and 27 home runs, which shows how much power he still has.

However, his ability to stay on the field is the issue. This latest injury is not a surprise to many. In fact, Zachary Howell of ClutchPoints said that some believe Stanton may never play a full season again.

The Yankees have had to adjust. For now, Ben Rice, a second-year player, is filling in as Designated Hitter. Rice is doing a solid job, hitting .250 with 35 hits, 26 runs, and 9 home runs in 140 at-bats.

In addition, other big names are performing well. Cody Bellinger hit a grand slam in the Yankees’ recent win, and Aaron Judge is leading the team with an impressive .401 batting average. Because of this, the Yankees are still producing strong results without Stanton.

Trade Rumors Begin as Patience Wears Thin

Since Stanton is not close to returning, and the Yankees have enough hitters producing runs, trade talk has started. Some insiders have pointed to the Seattle Mariners as a possible fit.

There is a reason behind this speculation. First, the Yankees may want to clear Stanton’s roster spot. Second, they might prefer to invest in younger, more durable players. Still, trading Stanton would not be simple. His contract is large, and his injury record may scare off other teams.

Boone has not confirmed or denied any trade talks, but the silence about Stanton’s return is making the situation harder to ignore. There’s a growing feeling that the team might have to make a hard decision soon.

The New York Yankees are in a tough position as the 2025 MLB season moves toward the trade deadline. Four of their well-known players—Giancarlo Stanton, Marcus Stroman, Anthony Volpe, and Devin Williams—could be traded. But inconveniently, the rumors come at a time when the team is dealing with both injuries and changes in performance.

So, let’s break it down, player by player, and explain why each one might be traded, who could be interested, and what it would mean for the Yankees and their future.

Giancarlo Stanton Could Be Heading to the Mariners

To start with, Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees’ designated hitter, has not played yet this season. He’s been on the injured list due to injuries in both of his elbows. Still, according to Zachary Howell from Clutch Points, Stanton could be traded once he’s healthy again.

Howell suggests the Seattle Mariners might be interested, which makes sense when you look at their needs. The Mariners have never made it to the World Series and last reached the playoffs in 2022. Before that, they hadn’t appeared in the postseason since 2001. They need power, and Stanton could give it to them.

Even though Stanton is often injured and might never play a full season again, Howell believes he still brings value. He points out that Stanton “outplayed almost every other Yankee” during the team’s run to the World Series last year, meaning if he’s healthy, he could do the same for another playoff team.

In his place, Ben Rice has done very well, and that is key as the Yankees now have several strong hitters: Rice, Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Jasson Dominguez. They have the potential to make Stanton unnecessary, especially if Rice keeps hitting well.

It’s also worth remembering Stanton’s power. In 2018, during his first year with the Yankees, he hit a home run at 121.7 mph – still the hardest-hit home run in MLB history.

Stanton began his MLB career with the Miami Marlins (then called the Florida Marlins) in 2010. His best season was in 2017, when he hit 59 home runs, drove in 132 RBIs, and had a .281 batting average. That year, he won the National League MVP. So, if this trade happens, the Mariners would be getting a player with real history and proven ability—if he’s healthy.

Stroman’s Injury Actually Increases His Trade Value

Next, we have Marcus Stroman, a starting pitcher who signed a two-year, $37 million contract with the Yankees before the 2024 season. Right now, he’s injured with a left knee problem and has been out since April 11. In his only three starts this season, he went 0–1 and gave up a shocking 11.57 ERA.

Even so, Bob Nightengale from USA Today says Stroman’s trade value is going up, not down. The reason is very specific. Since he’s injured, he won’t be able to pitch 140 innings this year, and if he doesn’t hit that number, he can’t activate his player option for 2026.

That’s key because many teams were worried during the offseason that trading for Stroman could lock them into paying him $18 million in 2026. Now, if a team trades for him in July, they’ll only have to pay what’s left of his $18.5 million salary for this year. There’s no long-term risk.

Manager Aaron Boone explained Stroman’s struggles by saying, “He just couldn’t really step on that front side like he needed to.” Boone compared pitchers to race cars, saying that even one small problem can throw off everything, from command to control.

So while Stroman doesn’t have a return date yet, teams will be watching. If he gets healthy, even partially, he could become one of the more valuable trade pieces by July.

Anthony Volpe Trade Talk: Risk or Reward?

Anthony Volpe is another name being discussed, though no real trade has been confirmed. He’s the Yankees’ shortstop and has been with the team since 2023. He’s only 24 years old and has shown strong advanced stats. He has an 8.2 bWAR over his first 364 games, which is very good.

But there’s a problem: his traditional stats don’t look great. His career batting average is .228, and his OPS is .672. That has upset some fans, especially when he struggles in big moments.

Still, he’s improved in 2025. As of Tuesday, Volpe has a career-high .745 OPS in 192 plate appearances and 1.5 bWAR. That ranks second among Yankees hitters—only Aaron Judge has more, with 3.7.

Some experts have imagined a trade between the Yankees and the Atlanta Braves: Anthony Volpe for Ozzie Albies. Albies is 28 years old, has made three All-Star teams, and has played his entire career in Atlanta. This season, though, he’s been struggling, too. He has a .225 average, five home runs, 17 RBIs, and just 0.2 bWAR in 204 plate appearances.

He’s also under a very affordable contract. He signed a seven-year, $35 million deal in 2019, and the Braves have two team options after that, both with $4 million buyouts. That makes him a budget-friendly All-Star.

But the trade isn’t simple. The Yankees don’t have good shortstop depth. They tried moving third baseman Oswaldo Cabrera to short, but he got hurt with a severe ankle injury. Jazz Chisholm is another option, but he hasn’t played shortstop since 2021.

There’s one more factor: top prospect George Lombard Jr. could take over next year, but he’s struggling too. At Double-A Somerset, he started the season going just 6-for-33.

So, while a Volpe-for-Albies trade is tempting, it would leave the Yankees very thin at shortstop in 2025. It might make more sense to explore this idea again at the Winter Meetings in December.

Devin Williams Might Be Dealt to Phillies After Struggles

Finally, we have Devin Williams. The Yankees traded for the two-time All-Star closer from the Milwaukee Brewers before the season. But so far, things haven’t worked out.

In 19 games, Williams has a 7.31 ERA. That’s especially bad, considering he gave up the same number of earned runs in his last two full seasons combined. Because of this, he’s already been removed from the closer role. Luke Weaver has taken his place.

Now, the Yankees are thinking about trading him. One proposed deal, suggested by Garrett Kerman at Clutch Points, would send Williams to the Philadelphia Phillies. In return, the Yankees would get outfielder Jordan Viars and right-handed pitcher Andrew Baker.

The Phillies are in a tough spot after their closer, José Alvarado, got hit with an 80-game PED suspension. He also won’t be allowed to play in the postseason, which gives them a strong reason to go after Williams.

Williams is still showing some signs of life. His changeup is still effective—it’s holding hitters to a .209 expected batting average. In his last five outings, he hasn’t allowed a run and has struck out the side twice.

He’s also in the final year of his contract, which pays him $9 million. That makes him a low-risk option for the Phillies. Plus, a reunion with Phillies pitching coach Caleb Cotham could help. Cotham was with Williams during his breakout season in 2023.

If Williams keeps improving, the Yankees might decide to hold onto him. But if he slips again, they may be quick to move him for young talent.