Trade Pitch Has Rangers Acquiring Star $42 Million Defenseman in Blockbuster

The New York Rangers are looking to capitalize on their Stanley Cup window, with a proposed trade aiming to bring in a star defenseman and a forward.

Using the PuckGM tool on PuckPedia, one user suggested a trade that would have the Rangers acquire Jonas Brodin from the Minnesota Wild.

Proposed Deal:

Rangers Receive:

• Jonas Brodin
• Mats Zuccarello
• 2025 second-round pick

Wild Receive:

• Jonny Brodzinski
• Kaapo Kakko
• Ryan Lindgren
• 2025 first-round pick
• 2025 fifth-round pick (from Minnesota)

This deal would be significant for New York, as it would add star defenseman Brodin and former Ranger Zuccarello in exchange for three NHL players and two draft picks. Brodin is in the fourth year of his seven-year, $ 42 million contract and would strengthen the Rangers’ blue line. Last season, he played 62 games, scoring 7 goals and 20 assists for a total of 27 points.

Zuccarello, who played for the Rangers from 2010 to 2019, had a notable season with the Wild, recording 12 goals and 51 assists in 69 games. He would serve as a middle-six forward for New York.

In return, the Rangers would give up two draft picks, including a first-round pick, as well as Kaapo Kakko, a former second-overall pick who has struggled to meet expectations. Kakko could offer youth to the Wild’s lineup, replacing Zuccarello. Ryan Lindgren, at 26, might also take Brodin’s place on the Wild’s backend, helping to rejuvenate the team as they aim to compete in the coming years.

Additionally, Brodzinski would join the Wild, providing depth as a potential third-line forward capable of adding physicality and scoring.

Rangers Aiming for Stanley Cup

Having finished with the best record in the NHL last season, the Rangers were eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Florida Panthers. As they prepare for the 2024-25 NHL season, General Manager Chris Drury emphasized their focus on winning the Cup.

“Obviously, our ultimate goal is to win the Cup,” Drury stated. “I’m always trying to find ways to improve and to compete for the Cup every year, starting at training camp.” The Rangers are considered favorites again as they look to continue their playoff streak.

Wild’s Quiet Offseason

Conversely, the Minnesota Wild had a quieter offseason after failing to make the playoffs last year. With salary cap constraints, largely due to buyouts of Ryan Suter and Zach Parise, General Manager Bill Guerin had limited options.

The Wild signed forward Yakov Trenin to a four-year contract and traded for centerman Jakub Lauko from the Boston Bruins, maintaining a similar roster to last season’s 39-34-9 record.

Minnesota will begin its 2024-25 NHL season at home on October 10 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.