The New York Rangers, considered one of the top teams in the NHL, have their sights set on contending for the Stanley Cup in the 2024-25 season. While the team has made some minor moves during the offseason, there is speculation that they could further bolster their offense through strategic trades.
According to a user on the PuckPedia website’s new PuckGM tool, a potential trade proposal involves the Rangers acquiring forward Philip Tomasino from the Nashville Predators. Tomasino, a young and talented player, could bring additional speed and scoring depth to the Rangers’ lineup.
Tomasino, a former first-round pick, has shown promise with the Predators, demonstrating his offensive capabilities and potential to grow into a more prominent role. Adding him to the Rangers could provide a valuable boost, especially as they look to enhance their scoring options and maintain their competitive edge in a tough Metropolitan Division.
While this trade is speculative, it highlights the ongoing discussions and possibilities as teams continue to evaluate their rosters ahead of the new season. Whether or not the Rangers pursue such a move, it shows the level of interest in ensuring their roster is well-equipped for a deep playoff run.
Rangers get: Tomasino Philip
Predators get: Matthew Robertson, third-round selection in 2026
In the proposed trade, the New York Rangers would acquire forward Philip Tomasino, an unsigned restricted free agent, from the Nashville Predators. Tomasino, selected in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft, has had a mixed start to his career, splitting his time between the AHL and NHL. He recorded 20 points (7 goals, 13 assists) in 41 games last season, and a fresh start could help his development. The Rangers would likely view him as a middle-six forward.
In return, the Rangers would send defenseman Matthew Robertson, a second-round pick from 2019 who has yet to make his NHL debut but has spent the last three years in the AHL. The trade would also include a third-round pick in 2026, providing the Predators with additional value by strengthening their defensive depth and future draft assets.
Predators Wanted More Consistency From Tomasino
Tomasino was expected to contribute some scoring for the Predators in the middle of their lineup, but he has struggled with consistency.
In March, Tomasino was sent back down to the AHL. After the move, Predators coach Andrew Brunette expressed his desire for the forward to become more consistent.
“We’re just looking for that consistency in his game,” Brunette said. “It’s tough to find his rhythm on certain nights when he’s not fully prepared. He ends up playing eight or nine minutes. [He’ll] go down and play 20 minutes a night. I don’t want him to lose too much confidence up here.”
Despite being sent down to the AHL for the third consecutive season, the Predators coach praised the former first-round pick.
“I’m proud of how much he’s grown,” Brunette added. “He’s a much better player now than he was at the start of the year when we had him. This is just another part of becoming a pro. Go down, play, and earn your rewards.”
Tomasino has appeared in 148 NHL games, recording 23 goals and 47 assists for a total of 70 points.
Rangers Having Quiet Offseason
New York has had a relatively quiet offseason, with the Rangers making moves to trade for Reilly Smith and sign Sam Carrick to strengthen their forward lineup.
Smith, who is in the final year of his three-year, $15 million contract, is expected to take on the role of the Rangers’ first-line right winger. After the trade, New York general manager Chris Drury expressed his enthusiasm for acquiring Smith.
“We’re very excited to get Reilly, a player we’ve had our eye on for a while,” Drury said during a conference call, as reported by the New York Post. “He brings a lot of versatility to our lineup, has a winning pedigree from his time in Vegas, and is a proven playoff performer. I think he fits in nicely with our entire group. We were in talks with various agents and had a lot of options on the table throughout the day, but we felt this was the best move we could make.”
Smith is coming off a season with the Pittsburgh Penguins in which he recorded 13 goals and 27 assists for a total of 40 points in 76 games.
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