During their Stanley Cup window, the New York Rangers had the option to strengthen their defense through a trade pitch.
One user suggested a transaction that would see the Rangers acquire Shea Theodore as part of a package in a blockbuster deal with the Vegas Golden Knights. PuckPedia is a website where users can make their own deals using a new tool called PuckGM.
Rangers get: Shea Grigori Denisenko Theodore
Golden Knights get: Reilly Smith
Braden Schneider, first-round selection in 2025
The proposed deal is intriguing, as the Rangers are making a strong push to win the Stanley Cup, while Vegas gains youth and a first-round pick, which aligns with the Golden Knights’ needs.
Theodore is entering the final year of his seven-year, $36.4 million contract and has spent the past seven seasons with Vegas. He was a crucial part of the Golden Knights’ 2022 Stanley Cup-winning team. Last season, he played in 47 games, tallying 5 goals and 37 assists for a total of 42 points.
Denisenko, on the other hand, was a first-round pick by the Florida Panthers in 2018 but has struggled to secure a full-time NHL role. In 32 NHL games, he has recorded 0 goals and 7 assists, though he could provide some depth in the lower part of the lineup.
Schneider, at 22, was a first-round pick in the 2020 NHL draft. As a defenseman, he would be a solid replacement for Theodore, who is a reliable second-pairing NHL defenseman.
Smith was acquired by New York this offseason to boost their offense, but the trade proposal would see him returning to Vegas, where he contributed to the team’s 2022 Stanley Cup victory.
Rangers GM Hinted at Major Shakeup This Offseason
The Rangers were defeated by the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Finals, losing in six games.
New York is a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, but after falling short once again, Rangers general manager Chris Drury suggested a major change might be on the horizon this offseason.
“We’re exploring a lot of different options,” Drury said on June 7. “There are various ways to achieve our goals. For me, nothing is off the table. We’re focused on improving and striving to reach our ultimate goal. We’re in the midst of that process now, figuring out what’s next and how we can get better.”
During the offseason, New York traded for Smith and signed Sam Carrick, marking a relatively quiet period for the Rangers.
Golden Knights Lose Star Players
Vegas had a challenging offseason, losing star players Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson, and Alec Martinez to free agency, along with William Carrier, Michael Amadio, and Anthony Mantha.
Following the departure of these key players, Vegas’ general manager Kelly McCrimmon acknowledged the difficulty of the situation on the first day of free agency.
“Days like this are tough for fans,” McCrimmon said on July 1. “The fans think they know our players, but I know them better than the fans do. I have personal relationships with each of these guys. You have to respect their rights as unrestricted free agents—that’s part of the collective bargaining agreement. We didn’t trade these players; we tried to keep them.”
Vegas was eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs last season by the Dallas Stars.
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