Rumor: Rangers looking to trade back for one of their former players

A recent report from Sportnet's Elliotte Friedman revealed that the Arizona Coyotes are “working to find (Anthony Duclair) a fresh start.”

While there is no clear price on the market right now, he is confirmed to be available, and one team that could be calling John Chayka about him is New York Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton.

The Rangers drafted the kid 80th overall in the 3rd round of the 2013 NHL entry draft. After exploding in his draft+1 year in the QMJHL, he finally found himself with the Rangers, managing 7 points in 18 games. He was promptly traded to the Arizona Coyotes in a package that saw Keith Yandle come back the other way.

Duclair exploded for 20 goals and 24 assists in his first year with the Coyotes. He hasn't been able to replicate that performance since, putting up only 15 points in 58 games in 2016-17. His 13 points in 30 games this season put him at a closer pace to his best NHL season, but still falls short.

New York Post beat reporter Larry Brooks believes that Duclair could return to Madison Square Garden in a red, white and blue jersey. With Chris Kreider out indefinitely due to a blood clot, and the AHL team in Hartford lacking in offensive weapons, bringing in a known entity with top-end skill (despite the recent results) could be a very real possibility.

With the news that Arizona is indeed shopping him, a trade between the two teams makes sense - and they haven't hesitated to strike deals in the past. Aside from the Duclair trade, let's not forget the deal that sent Derek Stepan to the desert.