Mike Sullivan believes Rangers have ‘done a real good job’ handling looming trade deadline

With Friday’s trade deadline just about upon the last-place Rangers — and additional deals still likely — Mike Sullivan believes his players have handled the past several weeks of uncertainty well. 

“I think they’ve done a good job. I think they bring the right energy,” Sullivan said after Wednesday’s practice. “I’m probably stating the obvious, but I don’t think we’re unique to this. I think this is just part of the business. 

“And leading up to trade deadlines, there’s always uncertainty on teams. It’s across the league. It’s not just our team. So obviously there’s more noise in some cities than there are in others. And so I think our guys have done a real good job of just compartmentalizing, focusing on the game and control the controllables.”

Leading scorer Artemi Panarin already was dealt to the Kings last month, and players such as Vincent Trocheck, Braden Schneider and Sam Carrick are among those who could be moved next. 

“I haven’t looked too far into it. I’ve tried to stay away from it and just think about the things I can control, and that’s playing the game, trying to get wins for our team, and that’s kind of the only thing I can do,” Schneider said. “We’ve done a decent job.

“I think everyone that’s come to the rink has been positive, has been a good teammate, and everyone’s done a good job at just worrying about the things that we need to worry about, and whatever happens will happen.”

Head coach Mike Sullivan looks on during the Rangers’ loss to the Penguins at PPG PAINTS Arena on Jan. 31, 2026 in Pittsburgh. NHLI via Getty Images

Rangers center Sam Carrick takes a shot during a game earlier in the season. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST

Center Juuso Parssinen is back with the Rangers for the first time since he was sent to AHL Hartford in November.

He only appeared in 11 games for the Wolf Pack due to an injury, but he scored four goals in his past five games. 

Winger Adam Edstrom (lower-body injury) is “getting a whole lot closer” to rejoining the lineup for the first time since Nov. 29, according to Sullivan, possibly as early as Thursday’s game against Toronto. … Sullivan gave no time frame on captain J.T. Miller, who was placed Wednesday on injured reserve with an upper-body issue.