Report: Rangers ready to sell ahead of trade deadline

Everything must go, as the New York Rangers will be holding a fire sale ahead of the Feb. 26 trade deadline, reports Larry Brooks of the New York Post.

While the Rangers sit just one point back of the playoff picture, having collected 55 points in 50 games, holding down a postseason spot has proven to be an uphill battle in the competitive Metropolitan Division.

Related: Why the Rangers should be driven deadline-day dealers

That means changes are coming, and that the likes of forwards Mats Zuccarello, Rick Nash, and even captain Ryan McDonagh could be suiting up elsewhere in the coming weeks.

The three veterans should no doubt see interest from playoff buyers. Of the three, Nash is a pure rental, as he can become a free agent this summer, while both Zuccarello and McDonagh are signed through next season, at cap hits of $4.5 million and $4.7 million, respectively.

Another potential target is speedy winger Michael Grabner, a pending unrestricted free agent who comes at an affordable $1.65-million cap hit. Grabner is on pace for 35 goals after scoring 27 last season, his first year in New York.

According to Brooks, in selling off their wares, the Rangers hope to replenish the organization with young players, NHL-ready talents, and additional draft picks.

The Rangers selected twice in the first round of last year's draft - with pick No. 7 coming from the Arizona Coyotes for Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta - but it was also the first time since 2012 that New York selected inside the top 40 picks.

Qualifying for the last seven postseasons, only Pittsburgh and Chicago have longer active streaks than the Rangers. New York has missed the playoffs only once since the 2004-05 lockout.