Report: Rangers close to trading Soucy to Islanders
The New York Rangers are close to finalizing a trade that will send defenseman Carson Soucy to the New York Islanders, sources told The Athletic's Peter Baugh and Vincent Z. Mercogliano.
The Rangers will reportedly hold Soucy out of Monday's game against the Boston Bruins if a deal isn't finalized by then. The return for Soucy remains unknown.
This will mark the Rangers' first trade since general manager Chris Drury announced earlier in January that the club would begin retooling, with New York on track to miss the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
Soucy carries a $3.25-million cap hit and is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Rangers acquired him from the Vancouver Canucks last season for a third-round pick.
He's notched eight points in 46 games this season while averaging 17 minutes per contest.
The Islanders enter Monday's action holding the third spot in the Metropolitan Division. After missing the playoffs last campaign, they won the draft lottery and selected star defenseman Matthew Schaefer first overall.
If finalized, the Soucy deal will be only the fourth trade ever between the Rangers and Islanders.