Trusted NHL insider confirms five other teams are also pursuing the New York Rangers top trade candidate

On Friday, NHL insider David Pagnotta widened the Sherwood picture, confirming the New York Rangers is the newest team in the talks, with five other teams in the mix. Those five teams being the Dallas, Montreal, Boston, Detroit, and Minnesota.

Pagnotta also poured a little cold water on one name, noting Tampa Bay was viewed as interested before, but he does not think the Lightning are in it right now.

That's a problem for the Rangers because the reporting isn't soft anymore. The Athletic's Vincent Z. Mercogliano heard the Rangers have been pushing hard to acquire Sherwood.

Vancouver's leverage is obvious, too. Sherwood is 30, he carries a $1.5 million cap hit, and he's in the last year of his contract before unrestricted free agency, which is exactly the profile contenders circle.

The on-ice production is what turns this from «depth winger» into «real bidding.» He has 17 goals, and 23 points in 43 games played this season.

This is why the list of suitors matters. If Montreal and Dallas are serious, and Boston is sniffing around, the Rangers can't assume a polite price, especially with Vancouver believed to be aiming at a first-round pick and more.

On the tactics side, Sherwood fits what the Rangers have lacked on too many nights at home. He forechecks straight through people, gets to retrievals first, and makes defenders rush touches instead of making clean exits.

The bigger question is how far Chris Drury can push without breaking future flexibility. With multiple teams interested and Vancouver holding the «cheap cap hit, hot scorer» card, the Rangers either come strong now or watch Sherwood land somewhere else.

That's what Pagnotta's update really does, it turns the Rangers story from «hard push» into «hard race,» and the finish line could show up fast.

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