Rangers Could Be Ready to Shake Up NHL Free Agency with a Rare Offer Sheet Move
For the first time in a long while, the New York Rangers are positioned to make some serious noise in NHL free agency - and not just by chasing unrestricted free agents. With nearly $30 million in projected cap space this summer, general manager Chris Drury has the flexibility - and perhaps the motivation - to explore a route NHL teams rarely take: the offer sheet.
Let’s be clear: the unrestricted free agent class has thinned out considerably. Big names like Connor McDavid, Kirill Kaprizov, Jack Eichel, Martin Necas, Kyle Connor, and Artemi Panarin have all re-upped with their current teams, taking some of the sizzle out of the open market. But that doesn’t mean the Rangers are out of options.
In fact, it might be the perfect time to pivot.
Why the Offer Sheet Makes Sense Now
Offer sheets are one of the most underutilized tools in the NHL’s roster-building arsenal. They’re legal, they’re strategic, and they’re risky - which is exactly why they’re so rare. But with the Rangers aiming to retool their roster around a younger core, the stars might be aligning.
Drury and his front office have made it clear they want to infuse the team with young NHL-ready talent. That doesn’t necessarily mean waiting for prospects to develop - it could mean going after players already on the cusp of breaking out. And that’s where the offer sheet comes in.
Yes, there’s a cost. Draft picks.
Cap space. Potential friction with other GMs.
But the reward? A young, high-upside player who can grow with your core for years to come.
Internal Business First - But Room to Maneuver
Before they go shopping, the Rangers have to take care of their own. Braden Schneider is the top priority - the 24-year-old defenseman is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights and is due a raise over his current $2.2 million AAV. That deal will eat into the cap space, but not enough to derail a potential offer sheet play.
Beyond Schneider, the Rangers have a few RFAs coming off entry-level deals - Scott Morrow, Brett Berard, and Brennan Othmann - who won’t break the bank to retain, assuming they’re still on the roster after the March 6 trade deadline.
As for unrestricted free agents, most of the heavy lifting is already done. Panarin was dealt to the Kings, and Carson Soucy was moved to the Islanders. That leaves just a handful of veterans - Jonathan Quick, Jonny Brodzinski, and Conor Sheary - heading toward free agency.
So with the house mostly in order and cap space to spend, the Rangers could be in a position to make a bold move.
The Challenge of Offer Sheets - and Recent Success Stories
Let’s not sugarcoat it: offer sheets are tough to pull off. Most teams match, and GMs are wary of making enemies across the league. But there have been exceptions.
The St. Louis Blues made it work when the Edmonton Oilers declined to match offer sheets for Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway two summers ago. That’s the kind of calculated aggression that can change a team’s trajectory.
The key is identifying the right player and the right team - a player whose current team might struggle to match a well-structured offer due to cap constraints or roster priorities.
Pavel Dorofeyev: A Name to Watch
Enter Pavel Dorofeyev.
The 25-year-old winger has quietly become one of the most intriguing RFAs on the market. After potting 35 goals last season and already sitting at 26 this year, he’s proving he can finish - and do it consistently. He’s also made a serious impact on the power play, with 27 goals on the man advantage over the past two seasons.
Dorofeyev isn’t eligible for unrestricted free agency until 2028, which makes him an ideal offer sheet candidate - young, productive, and still under team control.
The Golden Knights are in a tight spot financially. With just $5.14 million in projected cap space and defenseman Rasmus Andersson set to hit UFA status, Vegas might have a hard time matching a mid-tier offer for Dorofeyev.
A deal averaging $6 to $7 million per season could be enough to get Vegas thinking - and that would only cost the Rangers a first- and third-round pick in 2027. If Drury wants to turn up the pressure, he could go north of $7 million but stay under $9.36 million. That would require a first-, second-, and third-rounder in 2027, and the Rangers would need to acquire a second-round pick in that draft to make it happen.
It’s a chess match - but one that could pay off big.
Other RFA Options the Rangers Could Explore
If Dorofeyev isn’t the guy, there are other intriguing names worth monitoring.
Dallas forward Jason Robertson is the most high-profile RFA out there, but prying him away would be a monumental task. It would likely take an AAV north of $11 million - a number that would not only cost the Rangers a haul of picks (two firsts, a second, and a third), but also surpass Igor Shesterkin’s $11.5 million salary. That seems unlikely.
A more realistic target might be Mavrik Bourque. The 24-year-old center has first-round pedigree and is still developing, but he could be a smart play for a team looking to build for the long haul.
Then there’s a group of younger RFAs who haven’t fully popped at the NHL level but bring upside: Mackie Samoskevich (Florida Panthers), Nicholas Robertson (Toronto Maple Leafs), Zach Bolduc (Montreal Canadiens), and Zach Benson (Buffalo Sabres). Each brings a different skill set and development curve, but all could be worth a look depending on how the Rangers evaluate their potential.
And while it’s probably a long shot, there’s always the dream scenario of swiping a defenseman like Alexander Nikishin from the Hurricanes or Simon Nemec from the Devils - though poaching from within the Metro Division adds a whole other layer of tension.
A Strategic Summer Awaits
The Rangers have options. They’ve got cap space, a clear direction, and a front office that’s shown a willingness to think creatively. Whether it’s Dorofeyev, Bourque, or another under-the-radar RFA, don’t be surprised if Drury and company explore the offer sheet route this summer.
It’s bold. It’s risky. But if done right, it could be the kind of move that helps define the next era of Rangers hockey.