Rangers have reportedly pulled their most valuable asset of the trade market.

The Rangers have reportedly made a very big decision regarding the future of defenseman Keith Yandle, however there are legitimate question about whether or not this is the right decision to make at this time.

According to a report from Larry Brooks of the New York Post the Rangers have pulled Keith Yandle off the trade market, likely a decision spurred on by his excellent play in the absence of Ryan McDonagh was well as the Rangers recent hot streak, of which Yandle has been a big part.

From the Brooks report:

But league sources also say the Blueshirts are no longer signaling Yandle’s availability. No kidding. The Rangers, 7-1-1 in their past nine and 13-5-2, instead appear to be preparing to bulk up for another run at the Stanley Cup that has eluded them since 1994. Subtracting Yandle from the equation would not seem to be in the team’s immediate best interests.

Here's the problem for the Rangers, do they genuinely believe they are good enough to win a Stanley Cup Championship, and if that answer is anything other than a resounding yes, can they afford to lose Yandle, who cost them top prospect Anthony Duclair as well as a 1st round pick, for nothing? It's an incredibly difficult question, although it does sound like Yandle would be willing to re-sign in New York if the Rangers could find a creative way to find the cap space.

“Anyone who knows me, anyone who sees me, they can see how happy I am playing in New York and with this group,” Yandle said. “I even got a text from my mom the other day saying that she has never seen me look so happy.

“That should tell you everything.”

It's a tough call to make, one that will likely split the Rangers to one side or the other of the debate.

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