The Rangers are most likely going to end the year on a serious streak (they're already 6-2-2 in their last 10) and will probably miss the playoffs. Is Gorton going to make the kind of move that empties the prospect and draft pick bin a bit, costs him 2 or 3 good young players they've already invested in, and forces him to move or not resign Strome, Buch and Zib (guys who have not only played great but also have chemistry with guys that will be here to start the season)? You bring in an Eichel and you're pretty much guaranteeing the "new core" is already dismantled by the end of next season. Or does he trust the stars he already has, who's developing (is there any doubt that Kakko, Laff, Chytil, Miller, and Kravtsov won't be better next season?) and supplement this roster with a few smaller deals and the next wave of prospects expected to make the team next year? I think you can sell a Brassard type deal if it meant losing Strome, Buch or even Zib. Sucks, but that's the business. But to basically blow it all up for one player who by some accounts is a pain in the ass and has a bad attitude? I don't know.
I think some posters here are too quick to give up what they already have for some player that checks all their boxes, in a perfect world you swap an older C for a younger, cheaper C sure. But it's not foolproof. Strome isn't perfect, but the guy has done nothing but produce since he got here. And he plays really, really well with Panarin. I get the desire to build an optimum lineup, but I don't think that's a reality. Sometimes what you have is better than what you could have.
