Media Bytes: Canadiens, Leafs Circle Trocheck; Rangers Pushing for Knies?
The Trocheck sweepstakes are getting interesting: the Leafs have reached out, and the Canadiens may have been in talks. Plus, why Matthew Knies could be the key piece.
Welcome back to Media Bytes, a weekly column from Blueshirt Banter. Every Sunday, we’ll help you start the week right with a quick catch-up on the latest stories and developments around the New York Rangers and the broader NHL media landscape.
The full version of Media Bytes is for Blueshirt Banter members only. To read the full thing and get it delivered to your inbox every Sunday, become a member at Blueshirt Banter today.
It's Gonna be a Long Retool
1. On Monday, Rangers Recon interviewed longtime Rangers reporter and recently retired writer Rick Carpiniello. Much of the conversation served as a trip down memory lane, with Carp sharing stories from his decades covering the team dating back to the late 1970s, including memories of his relationships with John Tortorella, Mike Richter, Adam Graves, and others.
Despite stepping away from the beat, Carp remains an invested observer of the team, and he offered a candid response when Andrew Chelney asked how the Rangers can successfully navigate their current "retool."
"I honestly don't know," Carp said, adding that what he's seeing looks far more like a teardown than a retool, with too much talent leaving and not enough being added.
"Getting rid of Panarin ... maybe it was necessary. It probably was. [But] now [they're] talking about Trocheck. He's probably next [to be traded] this summer because he's the piece they have that they can dangle and bring something back," he said.
Carp pointed to a growing pattern that includes the departure of K'Andre Miller, arguing that the Rangers continue to move productive NHL players without having clear replacements ready to step into those roles.
"There's no replacement for Panarin. There's no replacement for Trocheck, who is arguably a top-two center," he said. "You can't find these guys and then upgrade, in addition to replacing. You still have to get better than that."
Carp admitted he wishes he had a clearer answer for both Chelney and Arthur Staple, but ultimately said he has no idea how the Rangers bridge that gap.
"I don't think it's gonna be quick," he added. "I really don't."
