Without the New York Rangers’ major trade deadline moves in the past four years, their quick rebuild never would have happened. One of the trades prematurely dealt a developing player for a disappointing return, but some of the other trades worked in the Rangers’ favor and the effects are prevalent within the organization today. 

In 2018, the Rangers decided to trade their then-captain, defenseman Ryan McDonagh and forward J.T. Miller to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Libor Hajek, Vladislav Nasmestnikov and Brett Howden, a 2018 first round draft pick and a 2019 conditional second round draft pick. The trade has yet to pan out for the Rangers, and Miller, currently on the Vancouver Canucks after his stint with the Lightning, has dramatically improved in his development and leads his team in points with 50 in 48 games. If the rumors are true, the Rangers have shown interest in trading for Miller. 

In terms of the players the Rangers acquired, none of them made much of an impact. Hajek remains on the team, but has demonstrated sub-par play so far this season. Howden struggled to produce on the Rangers and was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights this past summer. He blossomed with his new team, scoring 17 points in 37 games and serving a key depth role with the Knights. Namestnikov was traded to the Ottawa Senators in the beginning of 2021 for Nick Ebert and a draft pick, but Ebert has since left the team. 

The first round pick in 2018 was used to take Nils Lundkvist, who played in only a few games this season and could be a potential piece the Rangers choose to move at the deadline. The 2019 pick was used to take Karl Henriksson, who remains in the Rangers organization. 

The only way the Rangers could still make good with their return from this trade is if Hajek and Lundkvist either turn around their play or generate large returns at this year’s deadline. Henricksson has yet to see NHL playing time, but is a prospect that continues to develop in the Rangers’ system. 

Another major trade deadline move in 2018 was with the Boston Bruins when the Rangers sent Rick Nash for a return of Ryan Spooner, Matt Beleskey and Ryan Lindgren, a 2018 first round pick and a 2019 seventh-round pick. Without a doubt, the Rangers won this trade. Lindgren is an integral part of the Rangers’ defense, and Spooner was moved in a one-for-one trade to acquire Ryan Strome from the Edmonton Oilers. Spooner’s career failed to pick up, and Strome has found a top six forward role with the Rangers. The picks acquired in this trade were traded away for other assets.

At the 2019 trade deadline, the Rangers traded away Kevin Hayes to the Winnipeg Jets for Brendan Lemieux and two picks, one being a first rounder. That pick was sent back to the Jets along with Neal Pionk in order to acquire Jacob Trouba later that offseason, who has found a leadership role on the Rangers and is another important piece of the defensive core. Mats Zuccarello was traded to the Dallas Stars in that deadline as well, with a return of a set of picks used to draft defenseman Matthew Robertson and forward Oliver Tarnstrom in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Zuccarello is flourishing on the Minnesota Wild where he signed in free agency, and the prospects continue to develop in the organization. 

The last major deadline deal came in 2020, when the Rangers sent Brady Skjei to the Carolina Hurricanes for a 2020 first round pick. In the 2020 entry draft, the Rangers sent this 22nd overall pick and their 72nd overall pick to the Calgary Flames for the 19th pick, which they used to draft Braden Schneider. Schneider has taken advantage of his NHL playing time so far this season, and regularly slots in on the third defensive pairing. This trade continues to prove itself to be beneficial in the quick rebuild that the Rangers went through. 

With a mix of good and bad outcomes, the Rangers’ deadline picks throughout the past four years have panned out fairly well. Miller seems to be the bad outcome in a flurry of other positive ones. Though the loss of Miller still stings, there is a small chance he could be wearing a Rangers’ jersey come March 22. The rumors have died down, but there’s always a chance.