{"id":435318,"date":"2026-01-27T00:10:08","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T00:10:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/435318\/"},"modified":"2026-01-27T00:10:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T00:10:08","slug":"new-york-rangers-expected-to-hold-out-carson-soucy-vs-bruins-trade-to-new-york-islanders-close","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/435318\/","title":{"rendered":"New York Rangers expected to hold out Carson Soucy vs. Bruins, trade to New York Islanders close"},"content":{"rendered":"

NEW YORK (AP) \u2014 The New York Rangers<\/a>\u2019 sell-off that general manger Chris Drury<\/a> warned fans would be coming as part of a retooling process looks to be getting underway.<\/p>\n

Defenseman Carson Soucy<\/a> is being held out of the Rangers\u2019 lineup Monday night against the Boston Bruins<\/a> for roster management reasons, according to a person familiar with the decision. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no trade had been finalized.<\/p>\n

The Athletic reported a deal sending Soucy to the crosstown New York Islanders<\/a> was brewing. It was not immediately clear what the Rangers would get in return and if they would retain any of his $3.25 million salary.<\/p>\n

If completed, the trade would be just the fourth between the teams and first since 2010.<\/p>\n

The Islanders have been looking for a left-shooting defenseman since Alexander Romanov<\/a> injured his right shoulder and had surgery in November, sidelining him for 5 to 6 months. That timeline means Romanov could return at some point after the playoffs begin in mid-April.<\/p>\n

Soucy, 31, is a pending unrestricted free agent and would be a rental addition for the Islanders, who have shifted into contending mode in GM Mathieu Darche<\/a>\u2019s first season in charge. No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer<\/a> emerging as a young star and the rookie of the year front-runner raised the organization\u2019s expectations, and making the playoffs in a wide-open Eastern Conference is now a realistic expectation.<\/p>\n

I’m hearing #NYR<\/a> are on the verge of their first move of the retool. A trade that sends Carson Soucy to the #Isles<\/a> is brewing. <\/p>\n

No official announcement yet as they work out the particulars, but expect him to be held out of the lineup tonight for roster management.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) January 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The opposite is the case for the Rangers, who are now surprise sellers. Underachieving in Mike Sullivan\u2019s first season as coach prompted a change of course for Drury, who got a multiyear contract extension from owner James Dolan in April and is getting the chance to fix a flawed roster.<\/p>\n

In a letter to fans posted on social media Jan. 16, Drury said the team would not stand pat and that \u201ca shift will give us the ability to be smart and opportunistic as we retool as a team.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis will not be a rebuild,\u201d Drury said. \u201cThis will be a retool built around our core players and prospects. We will target players that bring tenacity, speed, skill and a winning pedigree with a focus obtaining young players, draft picks and cap space to allow us flexibility moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

Artemi Panarin<\/a>, the team\u2019s leading scorer every season since signing an $81.5 million contract in 2019, like Soucy is set to be a free agent and could be the best player moved before the NHL\u2019s March 6 trade deadline. Panarin is 34, counts $11.6 million against the cap and has a full no-movement clause, which allows him control over where he goes.<\/p>\n

Just about everyone in the organization, aside from franchise goaltender Igor Shesterkin<\/a>, top defenseman Adam Fox<\/a> and prospect Gabe Perreault<\/a>, figures to be available at the right price.<\/p>\n