Most game days aren’t that eventful. Especially during an 82-game schedule in the NHL. However, the Rangers made all sorts of headlines yesterday.

Before the latest loss against the Blues, Elliotte Friedman reported that both Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba are on the trading block. Furthermore, they aren’t the only players team president and general manager Chris Drury has made available. From the sound of it, Ryan Lindgren and K’Andre Miller are also on the block. Miller is the most interesting due to his age. If the Rangers were to trade him, he could probably bring back the best return.

Regarding the trade rumors, beat writer Vince Mercogliano of USA Today Sports confirmed it through two different sources. He also noted that there’s a lot of concerns in the organization about the core stagnating. In a related report, there could be an issue in the locker room.

All of this probably stems from how poorly Drury handled the off-season. He unceremoniously dumped Barclay Goodrow on waivers in a wink wink deal with former Sabres teammate Mike Grier when the Sharks weren’t on Goodrow’s no-trade list. That didn’t sit well with former teammates. He was a well-liked player who was a locker room leader.

Leaking the story to NY Post curmudgeon Larry Brooks that they wanted to trade captain Jacob Trouba before he submitted his 15-team no-trade list was asinine. It blew up in their faces. Trouba blocked a trade due to wife Dr. Kelly Tyson-Trouba’s three-year residency not ending until July 2025. They welcomed a baby boy in mid-January. I could understand why Trouba didn’t want to leave New York City. His wife’s career is just as important as his own. They’re raising their first child. The timing couldn’t have been worse. It came following the Goodrow move, which was a PR nightmare.

They then leaked a contract offer they made to Igor Shesterkin that aggravated his camp in September. All of this has served as unnecessary distractions. In a lot of aspects, what’s coming out now shouldn’t be a surprise. It’s reverberating. That might explain why things are so unstable.

It hasn’t helped that both Kreider and Mika Zibanejad are off to lousy starts. Before he missed last night’s game due to a lower-body injury, Kreider had only two goals at five-on-five. Despite having nine goals, he’s yet to record an assist. With two more years remaining on a contract that pays him a $6.5 million cap hit, the 33-year-old should draw interest around the league. He’s a proven playoff performer. His natural hat trick in the third period of Game 6 against the Hurricanes saved the Rangers from possibly blowing a 3-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Zibanejad has been even worse. Counting Monday night’s game, He has three goals and four assists at five-on-five. While the statistics are better than Kreider, Zibanejad’s defensive play has slipped dramatically. He’s made several mistakes that led directly to goals against. In the 5-2 loss to the Blues, he had two costly turnovers that resulted in a pair of Blues’ goals. That included a weak reverse that got intercepted by Brayden Schenn behind the net. He then fed Jordan Kyrou for the tying goal in the first period.

At the time, the Rangers were ahead thanks to another goal from Will Cuylle. After a power play expired, he had a Kaapo Kakko pass deflect off his skate in front past Blues goalie Joel Hofer for his third goal in four games. Zac Jones picked up a secondary assist. That lead was gone less than three minutes later due to Zibanejad’s dying quail that never reached Trouba.

Zibanejad played with Berard and Cuylle on the first line. Coach Peter Laviolette was hoping their energy would spark Zibanejad. While he did show signs offensively, his line was hemmed in for most of the game. They were outscored 2-1 and recorded only four shots with a 33.33 CF.

With the Rangers down a goal in the second period, Berard had a wraparound stopped by Hofer. But the rebound came out to Zibanejad, who passed down low for a wide open Cuylle tap in for his second of the game. Cuylle is up to nine goals. He’s tied with Kreider for second on the team, trailing only Artemi Panarin (12). Alexis Lafreniere is right behind with eight. The big line with Panarin and Vincent Trocheck had an off night. They were mostly pinned in their end and were on for a big goal against later in the game.

The biggest issue remains how easily this team gives up the blue line. The Blues entered as the league’s 30th ranked offense. But under former Bruins coach Jim Montgomery, they kept coming in waves. They were able to generate plenty off a strong forecheck.

Igor Shesterkin was called upon to make a lot of saves in the first two periods. Once again, an opponent registered at least 40 shots with the Blues reaching 42. They outshot the Rangers 42-29. That included a 16-8 edge in the second. Shesterkin was able to turn aside 15 of 16 shots to keep the game even headed into the third period.

Unfortunately, more bad play was the story. Deep in the St. Louis zone, Zibanejad threw a pass to nobody. That allowed the Blues to quickly transition in the opposite direction for the go-ahead goal. Scott Perunovich sent Schenn into the Rangers’ zone for a breakaway goal at 1:12 to make it 3-2. On the play, Zibanejad didn’t exactly hustle back. This has been a recurring theme for not only him but the team’s veterans. There’s barely any effort on the backcheck.

As if to confirm it, Panarin didn’t bother to pick up Zack Bolduc on the Blues’ fourth goal. Dylan Holloway and Colton Parayko combined to set up Bolduc in front to make it 4-2. Panarin puck watched. He isn’t known for his defense. However, he’s capable of putting in a better defensive effort. Nobody on that line has this season.

The Rangers were held to seven shots in the final period. The only line that had a positive impact was the third line centered by Kakko. He played with Adam Edstrom and Reilly Smith. They were in on the forecheck and created chances. While the other three lines all were big negatives in puck possession, the Kakko unit finished with a 62.96 CF. Kakko looks comfortable at center. He is making better plays with the puck. He’s also shooting it more, with his five shots pacing the team. Perhaps he should stay in the middle.

Even with Shesterkin on the bench for an extra attacker, the Rangers weren’t able to make it interesting late. Laviolette went with Panarin, Zibanejad, Trocheck, Lafreniere, Cuylle, and Adam Fox. Pavel Buchnevich scored into an open net to put it away with 2:45 left in regulation.

The Rangers heard jeers from the crowd. Can you blame them? At the prices they charge.

Rempe Has Noisy Return

In his first game back after being recalled from Hartford, Matt Rempe had a noisy return. Cheered by the fans when he came out to take an offensive draw on his first shift, he delivered a hit right away to get a positive reaction. He played with Sam Carrick and Jimmy Vesey on the checking line.

Rempe was physically involved at the conclusion of the second period. During a scrum between Cuylle and Jake Neighbours, Rempe took up for his teammate. Cuylle was shoved by Parayko. It nearly caused some fireworks. Rempe had to be stopped by the officials from going after Neighbours. While he and Cuylle were finally off the ice observing, Shesterkin and Hofer nearly got into it at center ice. Cooler heads prevailed.

In the third with the Rangers behind 3-2, Rempe delivered a big hit on Neighbours, who was without the puck. He went off for roughing. It was an undisciplined penalty from Rempe, who picked the wrong time to go after Neighbours. On the Blues power play, Shesterkin bailed out his teammate.

For the game, Rempe took 14 shifts and finished with 9:26 of ice time, including a two-second cameo at the end of a power play.