It is believed that general manager Chris Drury is focusing on the trade market rather than free agency to fill the vacancy that will be created by the departure of Strome, who has operated as the club’s second-line pivot — and Artemi Panarin’s partner — for the last three seasons.

The Rangers, who are operating with approximately $10.13 million of space with several holes that need to be filled, could not accommodate the asking prices of either Strome or Copp, who are understandably seeking to maximize their earning power at their first crack at free agency.

We’re told that neither party has closed the door to a Copp return if circumstances warrant. A second source suggested that the Rangers and Strome could take a second look at one another on Day Two of free agency if the center is unsigned and the club has not yet filled the vacancy.

If still here, Filip Chytil will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights and if still here, Kaapo Kakko may need a new deal if he only signs a one-year deal this summer coming off last year’s generally wasted season.

The Blueshirts have engaged in discussions with Winnipeg about impending restricted free agent Pierre-Luc Dubois, who just turned 24 on June 24 and who was Panarin’s primary center for No. 10’s two seasons in Columbus. But Dubois, only two years away from free agency, would probably be able to command a long-term deal in excess of $7 million per on the open market.

The Blueshirts are believed to have interest in Winnipeg center Mark Scheifele, the 29-year-old who was selected seventh overall in 2011, immediately behind Strome and Zibanejad. Scheifele is under contract for two more seasons at an annual cap hit of $6.125 million. The Rangers could likely accommodate that but the acquisition would essentially become a two-year rental ahead of unrestricted free agency.

That, of course, would (or should) influence the package that would go the other way in a deal for Scheifele. It would be more difficult to justify dealing either Chytil or Kakko—the club’s prime trade chips — for a two-year rental.

Chicago’s 21-year-old Kirby Dach, who has had difficulty gaining traction since his third-overall selection in 2019 behind Jack Hughes and Kakko, is an intriguing possibility. It is unknown whether the Blackhawks, who are open for business under a new management team, would make Dach available.

That means the Blueshirts are on the cusp of losing and, more to the point, having to replace three of their top-six forwards during the run to the conference finals and with precious little cap space with which to do it.