Barring a miracle, the New York Rangers will be missing the playoffs this season. They have struggled to find their footing and will likely be shifting their focus to the 2026-27 season, where they can try to bounce back and try to get back into playoff contention. With the 2026 Trade Deadline having come and gone, their focus now shifts to how they can improve at the upcoming draft after remaining fairly quiet on the trade market.
Related: Rangers Should Have Little Confidence in Chris Drury After Trade Deadline
In this edition of Rangers News and Rumors, we take a look at a strong showing from Alexis Lafreniere in a recent game, where he stood out against the Calgary Flames. Next, we touch on Vincent Trocheck staying put after being involved in trade rumors for weeks. We also take a look at strong play from Tye Kartye and Noah Laba in recent games, as well as a look at a new signing.
Alexis Lafreniere Dominates Against Flames
In the Rangers’ recent 4-0 win over the Flames, forward Alexis Lafreniere had a hat-trick and helped lead them to a victory. After months of criticism from fans, as well as some rumors that he could be traded, a strong offensive performance was a breath of fresh air for Rangers fans.
Lafreniere is up to 18 goals and 24 assists for 42 points through 64 games this season, and seems to be one of the few bright spots the Rangers have as the season comes to a close. He has been given a larger role after the Rangers chose to trade Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings, and he seems to be taking full advantage.
Rangers Keep Vincent Trocheck After Trade Expectation
There was a league-wide expectation that the Rangers would trade Vincent Trocheck before the trade deadline, but that didn’t happen. The Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild, and Detroit Red Wings were all loosely linked to Trocheck leading into the deadline, but ultimately, no team was able to meet the asking price, which was rumored to be outrageously high.
Talks will likely pick back up in the offseason, if the Rangers are still interested in moving Trocheck, but he will finish out the 2025-26 campaign as a member of the Rangers.
Tye Kartye Playing Well
Tye Kartye, who the Rangers claimed off of waivers this season, has proven to be a strong depth player for the Rangers.
He had just eight points in 40 games with the Seattle Kraken before being placed on waivers, and has six points through seven games with the Rangers.
Noah Laba Also Playing Well
Rookie forward Noah Laba is someone else who has also been playing well and deserves a highlight. He averages just over 13 minutes of ice time per game and seems to have earned the trust of his coaching staff as a strong two-way forward.
His offensive production has been solid as a depth forward, and while he isn’t a flashy player by any means, he is someone who has proven to be the right choice out of training camp, and he has proven he can be trusted as an everyday NHL player in the Rangers’ bottom-six forward group.
Moving forward, he should be able to establish himself as a longtime third-line centre who can help be a huge part of the Rangers’ retool and future success.
Rangers Sign Brody Lamb
On Thursday (Mar. 12) afternoon, the Rangers announced that they had signed Brody Lamb to a two-year, entry-level contract.
The #NYR have signed forward Brody Lamb to a two-year, entry-level contract.
More info → pic.twitter.com/EJVEpzU8Nd
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 12, 2026
Lamb, 22, is a right-shot forward who had 30 points through 35 games with the University of Minnesota this season. He was the Rangers’ 4th-round pick in 2021, and stands 6-foot-1, 185 pounds.
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