Rangers navigating a delicate balance with tough change ahead of trade deadline

Join Post Sports+ for exciting member-only features, including real-time texting with Mollie Walker about the inside buzz on the Rangers.Change is upon the New York Rangers.In reality, it has been since the day captain Jacob Trouba was shipped out to Anaheim.

But the Blueshirts have been active leading into the week of the NHL’s trade deadline on March 7, making moves that will ensure they don’t lose impending unrestricted free agents for nothing come summer and attempting to retool a lineup fighting for a playoff spot.Reilly Smith, acquired by the Rangers in July, was held out of Sunday’s matchup with the Predators for roster management purposes.The 33-year-old wing appears primed to join Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey on their way out of town, after the two were packaged in a deal with the Avalanche on Saturday that brought defenseman Calvin de Haan and forward Juuso Parssinen to New York.“Can’t thank Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy enough for what they’ve done for the organization long before I got here and since I’ve been here,” head coach Peter Laviolette said before the Rangers beat the Predators 4-0 Sunday night at MSG.“Talking about two really good human beings and two really good hockey players that played hard for the New York Rangers.

It’s always tough to see change.I think change is always tough.”This week will be unfamiliar territory for most of this Rangers locker room, which has only really known bringing in reinforcements rather than sending them out.Between Adam Fox’s injured reserve designation, the trade with Colorado and the ones to come, the Rangers are bracing for an adjustment period that may take time despite not having a game to sacrifice.Both de Haan and Parssinen were headed to more meetings to get up to speed following their morning skate.But change has been the theme of Parssinen’s fourth NHL season, over which he’s now been traded twice.“It’s been pretty crazy,” said the 24-year-old Finn, who was trad...