Trade Pitch Sees Rangers Acquiring $30M Center From Rival in Intriguing Move

The New York Rangers are looking to return to the playoffs after a disappointing season, and should look to add more talent to their roster.

Heavy.com has a trade idea that sees the Rangers acquiring Jean-Gabriel Pageau from the New York Islanders in an intriguing move.

Rangers acquire:

  • Jean-Gabriel Pageau

Islanders acquire:

  • Brennan Othmann
  • 2026 fifth-round pick

The proposed deal would be an intriguing one between two heated rivals, but one that does make sense for both sides. The Rangers would acquire Pageau, who can be a third-line center, and add more offense. New York, meanwhile, gets a fifth-round pick and Othmann, who’s a former first-round pick who doesn’t have a clear path to playing time with the Rangers.

The Rangers would acquire Pageau, who would be the team’s third-line center, which is an area of need, and make them a harder team to play against. Pageau is entering the final year of his six-year, $30 million deal. Given that he’s in the final year of his deal, the Islanders will likely move him. Pageau recorded 14 goals and 28 assists for 42 points in 79 games last season.

In return, the Rangers would give up a fifth-round pick and Othmann, who could use a change of scenery. Othmann was selected 16th overall in 2021 by New York, but he has struggled to crack the roster. The 21-year-old would fit in better with the Islanders’ young core and be a key part of its rebuild. Othmann recorded 2 assists in 22 games last season.


Rangers Could Flip Othmann if he Doesn’t Make the Roster

Othmann hasn’t been able to be an everyday player in the NHL, and the Rangers could look to flip him for an asset.

Rangers insider Peter Baugh of The Athletic mentioned Othmann as a potential trade chip if he fails to make the roster again.

“It’s too early to say whether Othmann or Berard will be long-time Rangers, considering they have yet to establish themselves as full-time NHLers,” Baugh wrote. “Both showed promise last year and should have chances to contend for roster spots at training camp. As for whether they could be trade bait: Berard and Othmann could be add-ins to a trade. But neither would be a centerpiece in a deal for a big-name player. There’s a world in which one or both are neither long-timer Rangers or involved in major trades.”

With the Rangers having other young forwards coming into the system, a change of scenery could be necessary for Othmann.


Rangers Could Use Third-Line Center

Pageau would be a perfect fit for the Rangers as he would be the team’s third-line center and add some secondary scoring to the lineup.

Currently, the Rangers’ third-line center is projected to be Juuso Parssinen. If New York is going to be competitive, that is an area to upgrade.

Pageau, meanwhile, also has plenty of playoff experience and is known for being a hard worker. He’s skated in 86 career playoff games, recording 24 goals and 19 assists for 43 points.

Ultimately, if New York is going to be better, adding someone like Pageau would make them that much harder to play against. And, that much of a deeper team.