How did it go wrong for Nils Lundkvist and the Rangers —and where do they go from here?

So Swedish defenseman Nils Lundkvist joins 2017 seventh-overall pick Lias Andersson as another hyped-up European prospect who hasn’t worked out for the Rangers.

Luckily for the Rangers, however, Lundkvist’s recent trade request will not upend plans for this upcoming season. The right-handed blueliner had already fallen behind on the Rangers defensive depth chart after an underwhelming 25-game cameo on the right side of the third pair, primarily next to his countryman Patrik Nemeth, last season.

The spot was quickly snatched by Braden Schneider, who came in and established himself as a reliable and physical presence on the back end despite being a 20-year old rookie. Schneider will get a crack at his first 82-game schedule this season, presumably picking up where he left off in rounding out the Rangers’ top three right-handed defensemen.

But back to Lundkvist. At 5-foot-10, 187 pounds, with an overemphasis on skill in his game, he did not fit the look or style of the Rangers’ defenseman corps. Nor did those traits translate well during his roughly three months in the NHL. That’s not to say it won’t translate for another team, however, as he continues to develop and adjust to the North American game.

Braden Schneider played well in his limited time with the Rangers as a rookie and likely will be in New York for a full 82 games this season.AP

Part of the mutual decision to part ways stems from Lundkvist’s desire for a shot at a top-four role and on the power play, which the 22-year-old quickly realized wouldn’t be possible in New York with players ahead of him such as 2021 Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox and Jacob Trouba, who was recently named captain.

To be fair, he’s not a finished product, and there are teams that should be interested in the offensive-minded, still-developing Lundkvist. Here’s a look at a couple of potential Rangers trade partners:

Montreal

The Canadiens’ right side isn’t particularly jammed with David Savard at the top followed by borderline prospect Justin Barron and veteran Chris Wideman. Lundkvist could certainly challenge for a role there.

The Post’s Larry Brooks reported the Rangers are aiming for somewhat of an equal return for Lundkvist. Given the Rangers’ current cap situation, the club would likely target a prospect or a young player on a cheaper entry-level contract.

The Canadiens could offer left-handed defenseman Jordan Harris, who has 10 NHL games to his name and could add to the pool of talent on the left side. Everyone knows the Rangers are lacking at center depth, however, so 20-year-old Jan Mysak may be the more enticing option in Montreal’s pipeline.

Nils Lundkvist’s reliance on skills over physicality has not been a good fit for what the Rangers want on defense, but at only 22 years old, he could have plenty of interested suitors on the trade market.JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK PO

Detroit

Lundkvist would also fill a need for the Red Wings. Behind Moritz Seider, who won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the Rookie of the Year last season, Detroit’s right side isn’t strong. There’s Filip Hronek, Gustav Lindstrom and Mark Pysyk, who will be out 4-6 months recovering from an Achilles tendon tear. The Red Wings are extremely young on the right side, and Lundkvist would fit right in.

As for the Rangers defense, there’s a job up for grabs on the left side. Zac Jones, Matthew Robertson and Libor Hajek come into training camp as the top contenders for the spot. Jones is a similar type of player to Lundkvist, but the UMass product has shown way more spark in his game. Robertson would be the big-bodied and physical option, and Hajek is an NHL pro even if he did only play 17 games last season in a depth role.

Mailbag

Thanks to our Texts from the Blue Seats followers for always being down to talk hockey even in the summer…

I’m curious to see how Alexis Lafreniere/Kaapo Kakko/Vitali Kravtsov are used. Will head coach Gerard Gallant actually give them a chance or will we see Sammy Blais and Dryden Hunt in the top 6?
— Keith Chinchar

Despite his differences with the Rangers last season, Vitali Kravtsov’s affordable cap hit likely will prompt the team to give him plenty of chances to prove he can stick.Getty Images

I, too, am curious, Keith. The hope is that Lafreniere and Kakko can establish themselves as top six players sooner rather than later, but that doesn’t necessarily mean their time is now. Lafreniere struggled to secure the spot last season, and Kakko was scratched in the final playoff game, so it’ll be up to them to seize the opportunity this time around. Kravtsov should get a long look and will be given every opportunity to make the opening-night roster, especially with his $875,000 cap hit. The experiments with Blais and Hunt in the top six could continue this season. Gallant took a liking to Hunt, who gave the top six a different look, which should already be somewhat changed with the addition of Vincent Trocheck.

Is this team different enough from last year’s to make a deeper run?
— Steven Ovadia

While the personnel pool may not be that different, the Rangers got some invaluable experience from their run to the Eastern Conference Final. The thought was that their inexperience was going to be a hindrance, but instead it appeared to have a motivating influence as they grinded through their first postseason as a team. I think that run will be something the team refers to during the regular season and especially if they make it back to the playoffs. The trade-deadline acquisitions last season made a big difference, so I would expect similar moves to be made leading up to this season’s deadline that bolster the team heading into the playoffs. Whether that’s a Patrick Kane-sized splash or the addition of a more under-the-radar — and underrated — player such as Tyler Motte is yet to be seen.

With the Rangers signing Jimmy Vesey, a career fourth-liner, for depth, couldn’t they have signed Tyler Motte instead, or was Motte more pricey? Why did we spend $750K for Ryan Carpenter when we could have used the money to re-sign Motte?
— Tim Maher, Scott Bennion

In looking for a deal similar to the $2.45 million deal he just had, Tyler Motte became a luxury the Rangers could not afford.USA TODAY Sports

I think if their financial interests aligned, Motte could’ve been a Ranger again, but the high-energy fourth liner is clearly seeking compensation that has priced him out of New York. Teams continue to get their cap-space ducks in a row, and when that happens, Motte will sign. Motte is coming off a two-year, $2.45 million contract, which is probably similar to what he’s looking for now. The Rangers simply aren’t in a position to be paying that much for a fourth-liner.