The Rangers came out of the draft with a new prospect headliner in Alberts Šmits, a major addition in Pavel Dorofeyev and a couple of depth wingers out the door. But the real work for Chris Drury is still in front of him.
Free agency begins Wednesday, and New York’s front office is staring at a roster with several obvious pressure points. The biggest one still circles back to Vincent Trocheck, a player who has been in trade conversations for months and could shape everything else the Rangers do this summer.
Trocheck remains the swing piece
Trocheck, who will be 33 at the start of the 2026-27 season, has been a trade candidate since before the March deadline. The Rangers kept him through the season, even holding him out for one game for roster management purposes, with the idea that they might do better by moving him later.
He changed representation to super-agent Pat Brisson, which appears aimed at helping facilitate a deal Trocheck would be comfortable with. Nothing happened at the draft, but a move still feels more likely than not this summer. The thinking is simple: his age, the chance his production changes without Artemi Panarin, and the added boost from his Olympic gold medal contributions all make it hard to see his value rising if New York waits longer.
The Buffalo Sabres have emerged as a team to watch, and the Toronto Maple Leafs are another possible fit.
If Trocheck stays, the Rangers’ top six would likely be built around him, Mika Zibanejad, J.T. Miller, Alexis Lafrenière, Gabe Perreault and Dorofeyev. If Drury doesn’t land the kind of return he wants, he’ll have to decide whether that group is strong enough to keep Trocheck in place or whether the asking price needs to come down.
What happens if Trocheck goes
Trading Trocheck would create a very different center picture. The Rangers would have Zibanejad, Miller and Noah Laba back down the middle, but that would leave a clear hole in the bottom six that would need to be filled somehow.
That answer could come in the return for Trocheck, through free agency or by way of another trade. Jonny Brodzinski, who filled a bottom-six role in past years, is headed to free agency.
If New York shops in the market for help, Teddy Blueger, Kevin Stenlund, Lars Eller and Noel Acciari are among the names that could make sense.
There are internal possibilities, too, but none jump off the page. Juuso Pärssinen and Justin Dowling have the most NHL experience, yet they combined for only 22 games last season.
Dylan Roobroeck, 21, scored 20 goals two years ago but dropped to 11 last season. Barring injuries, it’s tough to picture any of them in the opening-night lineup.
More forward help could be coming anyway
At exit interviews, coach Mike Sullivan pointed to the bottom six as an area he wants upgraded. The Rangers have the cap space to chase help, whether that means a fourth-line center, another winger or both.
Brandon Duhaime and A.J. Greer fit the kind of identity New York is trying to build, and both were previously mentioned as possible free-agent targets. The Rangers could also look higher up the lineup if the right name becomes available, which would naturally push everyone else down the board.
One possibility is Mats Zuccarello, who colleagues Michael Russo and Joe Smith recently made it sound doubtful will re-sign with Minnesota. A reunion would make sense if both sides are interested, especially because at 38 he likely wouldn’t need a long commitment.
Mason Marchment is another name to keep in mind. He can score and bring some edge, but a multi-year deal for a free agent in his 30s comes with real risk, especially for a Rangers team that is already in a delicate spot.
The defense could change, too
Braden Schneider has been in the conversation since Drury’s January letter to fans announced a retool. He’s a restricted free agent, so the Rangers need to decide whether to commit to him or explore a trade.
If they keep him, the contract structure will matter. AFP Analytics projects a one-year deal at a cap hit just over $4 million, while the long-term projection is six years at just over $6 million average annual value.
Will Borgen is another name worth watching. His full no-trade clause turns into a 15-team list next week. Since both he and Schneider play the right side, keeping both would force one of them onto the off side - something that went badly last season - or into a third-pair role.
If either defenseman is moved, New York would need another right-shot option, whether in free agency, via trade or through an internal step forward from Vincent Iorio or Scott Morrow. That’s not a sure thing.
The Rangers also have a hole on the left side, and Sullivan specifically mentioned wanting more puck-moving ability on the blue line. Pittsburgh’s Ryan Shea could fit that need, and The Athletic previously reported the team has at least some interest in Ville Heinola, though he is a less-proven choice.
Šmits is expected to sign his entry-level deal, which could give New York another defensive option if the club believes he’s ready for NHL minutes.
Backup goalie is another open job
Jonathan Quick, the Rangers’ main backup behind Igor Shesterkin for the past three seasons, retired after 2025-26. That leaves a vacancy in net.
Dylan Garand, who was a restricted free agent, signed a two-year contract and is expected to compete for the job. Spencer Martin is also under contract for one more year.
Drury now has to decide whether one of those two is ready to handle the No. 2 role, or whether the Rangers need to look outside the organization for a backup.
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The timing is what makes the discussion interesting in New York. Lafrenire has one season left before a modified no-trade clause kicks in, so the window for any real decision is getting tighter whether the Rangers intend to use it or not. For now, the sense around the situation is that the club is weighing options, other names are in the trade mix too, and Lafrenire remains more a topic of speculation than a player on the block. [Read more 🡒]