New York Rangers shockingly linked to Central Division forward as NHL Trade Deadline is one-week away

The young forward has seen a regression in his game after scoring seventeen goals and 57 points last year many feel that a change of scenery on a contender would bring his career around and give the team more depth with more youthful players.

Maccelli remains intriguing as he has a contract that remains through the 2025-2026 season and will become a restricted free agent.

He is in year two of his three-year deal which holds a cap hit of $3.425 million and it's likely that Utah would be willing to hold back some of his salary to make a trade work as the team tries to improve itself.

Rangers general manager Chris Drury has been on a mission this year to try to reshape and remold his team into a different look after it lost to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference finals last year which lacked grit and toughness.

Adding Maccelli Would help their power play and would also fit on the third line with the potential of second line work if needed in a pinch. Knowing that he has a contract into next year also gives Drury cost certainty.

The word in the NHL is that the Rangers will be aggressive at this trade deadline as the team currently has $15.2 million in deadline cap space.

This cap space will certainly be used by the Rangers in order to upgrade their offence and likely defence as several key unrestricted free agents will be leaving the team next year.

The Rangers do not hold a first or a second round pick this year as this is considered a weaker draft but it's also possible the team would be willing to flip players for picks to help bolster their youth and give the team more depth in their minor system.

The Rangers are currently trying to get back into the playoffs it if this trade deadline works out, there's a possibility that they can get back in the playoffs as they're only two points out.

Source: NHL Trade Rumors
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