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What’s next after Rangers star switches agents amid trade rumors
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- What’s next after Rangers star switches agents amid trade rumors
Vincent Trocheck made a significant upgrade in his representation Wednesday, with trade rumors continuing to swirl around the New York Rangers center.
Trocheck switched agents, and will now be represented by Pat Brisson, who's regarded as one of the best in the business. Brisson replaces Matthew Oates, whose O2K Management Group negotiated Trocheck's current seven-year, $39.38 million contract in the summer of 2022. Steve Reich was Trocheck's agent until he died a year ago.
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That signing is considered one of the best personnel moves during Chris Drury's run as Rangers general manager, which began in 2021. The two-way center played way above the affordable $5.625 million salary cap hit for the first four seasons of that deal.
Trocheck recorded at least 53 points each season since arriving on Broadway, played in the 2024 NHL All-Star Game, and established a career high with 77 points in 2023-24. That same season, Trocheck helped the Rangers win the Presidents' Trophy and reach the Eastern Conference Final in the playoffs, losing to the Florida Panthers in six games.
But Trocheck likely isn't changing agents because he largely outperformed his current contract. With the Rangers in a stated retool, the 33-year-old nearly was moved before the NHL Trade Deadline in March. And Trocheck remains the most tradeable veteran commodity on the roster since he has limited trade protection, an extremely fair contract, and still plays at a high level.
What's next for Rangers, Vincent Trocheck after trade candidate switches agents
Trocheck's no-trade clause drops from 12 team to 10 on July 1. That gives the Rangers more options and leverage in their attempt to find a trade partner. Perhaps that's why Trocheck hired Brisson, the high-profile agent, to protect his interests and make sure he doesn't go anywhere he doesn't want to. Trocheck previously stated his desire not to move to a team out west, and it's believed he has no interest in playing for a team in Canada.
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Brisson represents dozens of NHL players currently, including some of the biggest names in the League like Sidney Crosby , Nathan MacKinnon , Jason Robertson , Cole Caufield , and John Tavares . His client list also includes all three Hughes brothers — Quinn, Jack, and Luke — and, interestingly, Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin , who recently requested a trade and is the other most coveted center on the market alongside Trocheck.
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Last summer, Brisson completed a seven-year, $49 million free-agent contract for Vladislav Gavrikov with the Rangers. Gabe Perreault is also a Brisson client, as is Rangers defenseman Scott Morrow and UFA Jonny Brodzinski . His son, forward Brendan Brisson , played with the Hartford Wolf Pack the past two seasons.
Brisson simply brings more power to the negotiating table and would appear to be able to help the Rangers facilitate a trade that works for both team and player more so than Oates.
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Though not an apples-to-apples comparison since Artemi Panarin had a full no-move clause in his contract, look what a powerful agent (Paul Theofanous) did for the former Rangers forward when he was traded to his preferred Los Angeles Kings in February.
Unless there's something we don't know on a professional or personal level, this decision by Trocheck appears motivated solely because of the possibility — likelihood — he'll be traded this summer. And after an emotional trade deadline when he and his family braced for a move that didn't come, Trocheck probably wants as much of a say as possible this time around.
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