The New York Rangers face significant changes as they have traded Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey, two key figures in the locker room and on the ice. Coach Peter Laviolette acknowledged their impact, noting it's tough to see such changes. The team core, once stable, has been shaken with recent trades, leading to emotional responses from players like Mika Zibanejad, who expressed disappointment about the ongoing turnover. The Rangers, now in a playoff battle, must quickly adapt to these changes to maintain their momentum for the remainder of the season.

The New York Rangers have opted to rest forward Reilly Smith during their matchup against the Nashville Predators, primarily as a precautionary measure ahead of the NHL trade deadline. With Smith set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, the Rangers want to avoid any potential injury that could complicate a trade, as he has surfaced as a viable candidate for a deal. This season marks Smith's first with the Rangers, where he has contributed 29 points over 898 career games.

In recent transactions, the Rangers traded Jimmy Vesey and Ryan Lindgren to the Colorado Avalanche, both of whom share the same impending UFA status. The Rangers currently sit just four points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the second wild-card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, adding urgency to their roster decisions as they navigate the trade deadline.

Reilly Smith will not play for the New York Rangers against the Nashville Predators, as the team is managing their roster in anticipation of a trade. The Rangers are keen to secure assets in exchange for their upcoming unrestricted free agents, rather than allowing them to walk away. This follows the trades of Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey to the Colorado Avalanche, marking the beginning of a roster overhaul.

Smith's absence suggests a likely trade before the March 7 NHL Trade Deadline. After being acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins, he recorded 10 goals and 19 assists this season. His performance in 58 games indicates he could be a valuable asset for teams looking for a veteran forward.

Reilly Smith, a key player for the New York Rangers, is being held out of the lineup as the team prepares for a series of trades ahead of the deadline. With Smith being a pending unrestricted free agent, he is expected to be the next asset on the move following the recent trades of Jimmy Vesey and Ryan Lindgren to the Colorado Avalanche.

The Rangers are also looking to move Calvin de Haan, the only other pending UFA on the roster, and have several restricted free agents, including K’Andre Miller and Zac Jones. While the team may explore trading established players like Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin, these deals are anticipated to be more complicated.

In a significant trade, Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey joined the Colorado Avalanche from the New York Rangers in exchange for Juuso Parssinen, Calvin de Haan, and conditional draft picks for 2025. Lindgren's one-year contract will see the Rangers retain 50% of his salary. As a defenseman, Lindgren, 26, is poised to become a UFA after the season, while Vesey, a 31-year-old forward, also faces free agency. Both players have seen a dip in their production this season.

The Rangers, currently trailing behind for a playoff spot, have engaged in a series of roster changes, including acquiring J.T. Miller and trading key players such as Jacob Trouba and Kaapo Kakko. This ongoing roster turnover highlights the team's strategy to adapt as they strive for playoff positioning.