Breaking: Rangers, Islanders Closing In on Trade Deal; Carson Soucy Heads to Long Island
In a rare Intra-city trade, the New York Rangers and Islanders are nearing a deal that will see defenseman Carson Soucy swap Broadway for Long Island, reports Vince Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic. If the transfer doesn’t materialize today, Soucy, who has been scratched from tonight’s game against the Bruins for precautionary reasons, will have played his last game in a Rangers uniform. The 31-year-old shutdown defenseman, set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, is headed to the Islanders as the two New York teams complete their first trade since 2010 and just the fourth in their history.
Breaking: Rangers, Islanders inches away from first trade in over a decade; Soucy set to join the Isles
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olated Islanders and Rangers fans barely had time to catch their breath after the blockbuster trade deadline, but it seems another shocker is just around the corner. And this time, it’s the Islanders and Rangers making headlines – for the first time since 2010!
Soucy: Swapping Broadway for Nassau Coliseum
Word on the ice is that defenseman Carson Soucy is set to swap the Rangers’ Broadway Blueshirts for the Islanders’ Nassau nets. The Athletic’s Vince Z. Mercogliano broke the news late Tuesday, adding that if the trade doesn’t materialize today, Soucy will be scratched for the Rangers’ game against the Bruins to protect him from injury.
Soucy, a 31-year-old left-handed defenseman, has been a pure shutdown threat throughout his career. Initially drafted by the Minnesota Wild in 2013, he took a scenic route through college and the minors before breaking into the NHL in 2019. Despite spending more time on the move than a traveling carnival, Soucy has always delivered a steady, stay-at-home defensive game.
From Expansion Draft to Free Agency Goldmine
After two full seasons in Minnesota, Soucy was snatched up by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 expansion draft. Following a disappointing spell on the west coast, he cashed in as an unrestricted free agent last year, inking a three-year, $9.75MM deal with the Vancouver Canucks.
In January, the Blueshirts acquired Soucy in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick. Waiving his no-trade clause to facilitate the deal, Soucy seemed content to call Madison Square Garden home. But now, he’s set to become an Islander – and you can bet Long Island fans are thrilled.
Soucy’s Stats: A Mixed Bag
Soucy’s impact on the Rangers has been a mixed bag. While his eight points and +4 rating in 46 games aren’t repulsive for a third-pairing defenseman, his underlying numbers paint a less flattering picture. His two most frequent 5-on-5 pairings have been mired in quicksand, controlling just 42.4% of expected goals, per MoneyPuck. Moreover, his 43.8% Corsi share at even strength is the worst among Rangers defensemen, despite facing relatively easy deployment.
But don’t be fooled. Soucy has shown he can flip the script. He notched career-highs in goals (10) and points (21) with the Kraken during the 2021-22 season. And at 6’4″, 211 lbs, he isn’t afraid to mix things up, averaging 101 blocks and 129 hits per 82 games.
Islanders: Filling the Gap Left by Romanov and Pulock
The Islanders’ blue line has been decimated by injuries this season. Shutdown defenseman Alexander Romanov has barely suited up, and now, righty defenseman Ryan Pulock is nursing an upper-body injury. Enter Soucy – a band-aid solution to stabilize the third pairing.
GM Mathieu Darche won’t be dipping into the three-star Michelin restaurant of free agency to fill Romanov’s spot – he’s not that generous. Soucy’s familiarity with the Metro Division and his contract (with $2.5MM actual salary this season) make him an enticing, low-cost solution.
Did You Know? The Isles and Rangers Have Traded Four Times Ever
The Soucy-to-the-Islanders trade will be just the fifth time in history that the Rangers and Islanders have exchanged players, and the first since 2010. Here’s a quick rundown of the previous trades:
- 2001 – Rangers trade.Rem Murray to the Islanders for Marco Sturm and a draft pick (third-rounder that eventually becomes… checks notes… AHL all-timer Mark Joannette).
- 2006 – Rangers trade Rem Murray, Martin Rucinsky, and Tom Poti to the Islanders for Mark Parrish and Mike York.
- 2010 – Rangers trade Robert Nilsson and a sixth-round pick to the Islanders forared-acquisition-mileageJosh Bailey (who’s still with the Isles).
- 2022 – Rangers trade winger-for-the-aging-rolodex Jimmy Vesey to the Islanders in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round pick.
FAQ: What Does This Mean for the Metro Division?
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How does this trade impact the Rangers?
It’s no secret the Rangers have struggled defensively. Losing Soucy won’t cause an avalanche, but they’ll need someone to step up in his absence. Keep your eyes on youngsters like Braden Schneider and William Borgen. -
How does this trade help the Islanders?
While Soucy isn’t a silver bullet, he provides stability on the back end and brings some much-needed lefty-righty balance. Plus, his cap hit – and actual salary – is low, making him a cost-effective rental.
Pro Tip: Who Might the Rangers Target Next?
With Soucy off the books, the Rangers have some cap room to play with. Here are a couple of UFAs they could target:
- Jonathan Quick – A veteran goalie who could provide some stability in net whilst Alexandar Georgiev and Igoraccounts-Shesterkin iron out the crease-sharing kinks.
- Patrik Laine – A big-bodied winger with a knack for scoring goals. He’d add some scoring depth and may even have some trade-value come the deadline next season.
Call to Action
So, Rangers and Islanders fans, what’s your take on this potentially Metro-shaking trade? Will Soucy help push the Isles into the playoffs? Or will his departure be a Rangers’ roadblock to success?
Sound off in the comments, and don’t forget to explore more of 247Sports’ exclusive coverage of the NHL!
Word on the ice courtesy of The Athletic, MoneyPuck, and 247Sports.