Many fans of the New York Rangers believed two players would be sticking around through this retool, no matter what. Those two players are Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox. However, with Fox’s comments after the team’s first game back from the Olympic break, it’s not safe to assume he is committed to the retool. If this is the case and the Rangers end up having to trade Fox, this retool will become a rebuild very quickly.
The Rangers returned from the Olympic break with their first game coming against the Philadelphia Flyers. They held a 2-0 lead before losing it in overtime. After the game, Fox was approached by the media, as this was the first time they had been able to talk to him about the retool since the letter came out, as he was dealing with an injury at the time. Fans who were looking for a guarantee that he would stick around did not come out of that post-game scrum with much to cheer about.
Fox told the media, “I’m just trying to focus on this year right now and play each game. I mean, that’s all I really could do right now, could control. I think that’s a conversation for when we’re done playing games.” So, while it wasn’t an emphatic yes or no, the fact that it’s even a question as to whether he wants to be in New York long-term or not is a major concern. If he does decide that he wants to go try and win a Stanley Cup somewhere else, the Rangers’ long-term plans likely go up in flames, as he was seen as part of the future.
A Fox Trade Would Signal a Full-On Rebuild
If the time comes and the Rangers do end up trading Fox, that would signal the end of the retool and the start of another rebuild. He is their best defenseman by far and the only true offensive-minded, puck-moving defenseman they have. Without him, this defense would collapse and would not provide much in terms of offense. The team doesn’t have any defensive prospects right now that could likely turn into him one day, and that is a problem. While no one player could replace what he brings to the lineup, not having any true offensive defensemen prospects could be a major issue if Fox ends up leaving.
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If Fox were to leave, it might make other players on the team who have trade protection, like Vladislav Gavrikov or Mika Zibanejad, reconsider if they want to still be in New York. If the player who grew up a fan of the team and who basically forced his way to the Rangers when he was a prospect wants out, then it shows these other players just how bad a place the organization is in right now. If those veterans end up wanting out as well, the Rangers are going to become a team full of young players, and while it’s not such a bad idea, it’s going to get worse before it gets better.
Rangers Don’t Have to Trade Fox Now or Even Soon
Now, while these comments might look concerning now, the Rangers still have full control over whether this player stays or goes. Fox has a full no-move clause in his contract for the rest of this season and next season. So, unless he demands a trade over the offseason or next season, the Rangers don’t have to move on from him. It’s two seasons from now when things could get interesting because that full no-move clause turns into a 16-team no-trade list. So, that means half of the league could send the Rangers an offer for Fox, and if they like the deal, they could end up trading him.
So fans don’t have to worry about him getting traded by the trade deadline, which is in five days at the time of this writing. If the team is still in a bad place two seasons from now, that is when these conversations could turn into something more real. Fox will be 30 years old by then, and at that point in a player’s career, winning should be the only thing that matters. If Fox wants to go try and win a Stanley Cup, the Rangers are going to have to listen to offers on him, whether they want to or not.
The Rangers are going to have to get worse before they get better. While they hope this retool is quick, many are expecting this to be a multi-year process. If that is the case, we could be seeing the last few seasons of Fox as a Ranger, as he might not be committed to being here. For many fans, that is a tough pill to swallow.
