The New York Rangers are reportedly looking to move on from one of their young defensive prospects.
According to the New York Post, the Rangers are listening to calls for defenseman Nils Lundkvist.
The reports of the trade are caused after the team had been notified that the defenseman will not show up to training camp without a new deal.
Lundkvist signed his entry-level deal in 2021 and has two years left on the deal. Part of the reasoning for a potential departure is the loaded group of young defensemen already on the major league club.
Lundkvist was one of three first-round picks for the Rangers in the 2018 NHL Draft as the 28th overall pick. As a part of a blooming defensive core, Lundkvist is considered behind recently called-up Braden Schneider.
With Adam Fox’s 8-year extension kicking off this season. And the young defensive core continuing to grow, it appears that Chris Drury and the Rangers front office are working with the young defenseman to find a more suitable home.
Adding to the young core of players currently on the Rangers roster, players like K’Andre Miller, Schneider, and Fox are seen as stalwarts on the current roster.
Lundkvist played in 25 games for the Rangers in 2021-22, while totaling 4 points with three assists. The 22-year-old averaged 13:56 minutes on the ice at the NHL level. In Hartford, Lundkvist tallied three goals and 12 assists in 35 games for the AHL affiliate.
Lundkvist’s agent has not commented on the latest report.
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