Did the Vancouver Canucks just fleece the New York Rangers?

The New York Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks pulled off a trade on Saturday, one that saw the Rangers send forward Vitali Kravtsov to the Canucks in exchange for forward William Lockwood and a 7th round pick at the 2026 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

If on the surface it doesn't look like much of a return that's because it's not, and while you might be able to justify this in light of what is expected to be a trade of Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane to the Rangers, it is starting to sound more and more like the Rangers may have been fleeced in this deal.

Multiple reports are now indicating that the Rangers and Canucks began discussing this potential deal weeks ago, something that makes sense given that Kravtsov once again made a trade demand this season. According to Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal, when the two sides began discussions the asking price from the Rangers was a mid-level first round pick, a very far cry from what they would eventually receive from the Canucks.

Grady Sas of Bally Sports shared similar sentiments, indicating that Canucks forward Nils Hoglander may have also been an ask from the Rangers, but in the end they were forced to settle for much less.

It seems fair to suggest that the Canucks knew full well that Kravtsov had demanded a trade, likely causing his value to plummet precipitously in the process, and it seems likely that they realized the Rangers were in something of a desperate situation with them needing every bit of cap savings they could get. 

The Rangers will save $875,000 against the cap in this deal with Lockwood's cap hit buried in the American Hockey League, but they may have allowed the Canucks to fleece them in this deal in order to make it happen.

If the Rangers do secure the services of Patrick Kane off the back of this however, any concerns their fan base may have over this deal will likely become an afterthought.