This season has not gone the way the New York Rangers expected. The team is stuck in the middle—not winning enough to feel safe, but not giving up either. They’re trying to keep their playoff hopes alive while also planning ahead.
A big trade proposal has appeared that could change their future. The Rangers are linked to Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann, a strong and fitting player for the team. They are also being held together by J.T. Miller, who came back in a trade earlier this year and is doing everything he can to keep them in the race.
And now, former captain Jacob Trouba has played his first game against the Rangers since the trade sent him to the Anaheim Ducks. His story is personal and heavy and shows how much change this team has gone through.
Everything is happening at once, and it’s all connected.
- The Rangers are considering a major trade to acquire Jared McCann from the Seattle Kraken in exchange for Brennan Othmann, Zachary Jones, and a 2027 first-round pick.
- Since being traded to the Rangers, J.T. Miller has scored 25 points in 24 games, becoming their most productive and reliable player during a difficult season.
- Jacob Trouba faced the Rangers for the first time since being traded to the Ducks, where he’s now a veteran leader and leads the NHL with 190 blocked shots.
Jared McCann Trade Proposal Gives Rangers a New Option
A new trade idea has been getting attention around the league. It would send Jared McCann from the Seattle Kraken to the New York Rangers, with the Rangers giving up Brennan Othmann, Zachary Jones, and a 2027 first-round draft pick in return.
McCann is a smart target. He has been steady and effective in year three of a five-year, $25 million contract. He has scored 18 goals and has 33 assists, which gives him 52 points in 73 games this season. That’s the kind of production the Rangers need to rebuild their attack.
If the Rangers get McCann, he would probably play as a top-six forward, where his speed and passing would be a big help. He would also be under contract for two more seasons, which gives them time to build around him without worrying about free agency right away.
On the other side, Seattle would receive Brennan Othmann, a young forward who has struggled this year with only one assist in 15 games but still has one year left on his entry-level deal and could grow into a solid player if given more chances. They would also get Zachary Jones, a defenseman who has played his whole career in New York and has 1 goal and 10 assists in 42 games, though he’s often been scratched from the lineup.
Seattle is still building for the future, and this trade would give them two young players and a first-round pick, which is a smart return. The Rangers would be giving up pieces of their future for help right now, which shows how serious they are about improving fast.
J.T. Miller Keeps Leading the Rangers on the Ice
The best thing the Rangers have done this season was bringing back J.T. Miller. Since they traded for him from the Vancouver Canucks on January 31, he has been one of the most important players on the team.
In 24 games, Miller has scored 10 goals and added 15 assists, giving him 25 points. That makes him a point-per-game player and one of the best trade additions of the season. He has had nine multi-point games already and is currently on a hot streak with seven points in his last four games, which includes three goals and four assists.
Miller is doing everything. He plays on the power play, helps on the penalty kill, and takes the lead when the team needs energy. His effort is steady and strong, and he sets the example the coaching staff wants.
Coach Peter Laviolette said, “He does everything the right way.” That speaks to how important Miller is, not only for goals and assists but also for attitude and commitment.
Since the trade, the Rangers are 11-10-3, which is not great, but Miller has kept them from falling apart. His return to New York has been a success, and if the team finds a way into the playoffs, Miller will be a big reason for that.
Jacob Trouba Faces Rangers After a Hard Breakup
Jacob Trouba’s trade to the Anaheim Ducks in December was one of the hardest moments of the season for the Rangers. Trouba was the captain, the leader, and the heart of the locker room. He helped guide the team through deep playoff runs, but by the end, the relationship was falling apart.
The trade happened on December 8, but the problems started before that. Trouba had a no-movement clause, but it changed to a 15-team no-trade clause in July. When things got tense, general manager Chris Drury reportedly told Trouba he would be placed on waivers if he didn’t agree to a trade.
Trouba accepted a trade to Anaheim. The Rangers received Urho Vaakanainen and a conditional 2025 fourth-round pick in return.
In Anaheim, Trouba has found new energy. He has played 46 games, averaging nearly 21 minutes per game, and has blocked 122 shots with the Ducks. Across the whole league, he leads in blocked shots with 190. Coach Greg Cronin said Trouba is already helping the team in many ways and that his presence in the locker room has made the team stronger.
Trouba has been open about how much his time in New York meant to him. He said, “It hurt. I’m not going to lie about it. It’s a place I put a lot into and invested a lot.” He also said he’s happy to be in Anaheim and made the right choice for his family.
The Ducks are getting better, with 70 points this season compared to 59 last year, and Trouba is part of that improvement. His leadership has helped young players like Jackson LaCombe, Pavel Mintyukov, and Olen Zellweger.
Back in New York, his old teammates still talk about him with respect. K’Andre Miller said, “He was here for me for a lot.” Braden Schneider said, “He would do anything to win a game.” Trouba made a strong impact in New York, and even though he’s gone, that impact is still felt.
When Trouba faced the Rangers for the first time at Honda Center, it was strange for both sides. Miller said, “It’s definitely going to be weird.” Schneider agreed, saying that after the puck drops, all the emotion goes away, but seeing Trouba in a different jersey still felt different.
Everything Feels Unfinished Because It Is
The Rangers are in the middle of a season full of change. They are talking about trading for Jared McCann, watching J.T. Miller lead them with strong play, and still thinking about what it meant to lose Jacob Trouba.
They are fighting to stay in the playoff race but are also preparing for what’s coming next. Some decisions will help them move forward, others may not. But all of them show that the team is still trying, still changing, and still figuring out who they are.
This is not a clean story. It’s not a full success or a full failure. It’s a season that is still being written — and every game, every move, and every moment matters.
