This column will try to summarize the past week in New York Rangers land. This top piece will be in chronological order, while the details will be presented from bottom up, meaning the most recent is first. Tomorrow, when free agency starts, we will get a truer sense of where this squad sits for the 2026-27 season.
The Rangers headed into the draft seemingly with their path forward relatively clear. New York ended the weekend seemingly engaging a slight – or large – detour, swapping in your view. The Blueshirts went from a retool, or what many of us felt was needed, a rebuild, based on who was targeted and added. More important is who remains, which was not the expectation Friday am.
Following the draft, in which the team selected five left-handed defensemen out of their nine picks, the Rangers continued to try and make noise in the trade market. Their first selection, Alberts Šmits, drew a healthy amount of discussion as Carson Carels and Chase Reid—the latter a surprise—were both on the board. New York’s second pick, Benjamin MacBeath, who closed the second round, was widely supported as a value selection at the time even though better value selections remained available. The remainder of the draft featured one really juicy pick – Tomas Chrenko – due to his offensive upside, a direction I wanted the team to pursue more in the draft. Instead, we saw the addition of a third-round goalie selection (Danai Shaikov) and several more left-shot defensemen who don’t move the needle much (Charlie Morrison et al).
New York’s development camp opened on Monday. Most of the names invited were expected. One intriguing name – undrafted Dayne Beuker – was on the list and in camp. If you are looking for an upside undrafted player to add to the organization, watch to see if the team signs Beuker, who is ranked in the low-100s on some draft lists, to a contract.
Free agency
July 1 is here. The retool/rebuild looks to be more of a rebuild than a full retool, which surprises some and angers others. Dorofeyev’s addition certainly changes the equation. With Vincent Trocheck and Braden Schneider still on the team—both prominently mentioned in trade rumors for months—the path forward clearly looks like a rebuild, not a retool.
Beck Malenstyn was a fourth-line target, but he re-upped for six years in Buffalo. The underwhelming trades of Brett Berard (to Montreal for William Treadeu) and Adam Edstrom (to Nashville for 25-year-old AHL forward Massimo Rizzo and pick No. 148 (fifth round in this year’s draft) – neither of whom was a favorite of Mike Sullivan—support Sully’s comments on breakup day that the bottom-six needed improvement. Bobby Brink looked like a possible target until he signed a one-year deal to remain in Minnesota.
Other targets:
Forwards
– Matias Maccelli is a possible middle-six winger who should come at a somewhat moderate price. He has shown he can contribute offensively, moving up and down-the-lineup.
– Mats Zuccarello, a fan favorite who never wanted to leave, appears highly unlikely to return to the Wild. A short-term deal and placement opposite Dorofeyev certainly seems feasible and possibly wise.
– Lars Eller – a pest in New York’s side for years – would be a solid fourth-line pivot. He kills penalties and wins draws, two major needs. Teddy Blueger and Scott Laughton also could be viable options.
Left-handed defensemen
– Mario Ferraro has been mentioned as a target for years. He mirrors Ryan Lindgren and Carson Soucy. He eats minutes and brings a physically imposing presence but he’s not one I would pine for unless he slots onto the third line.
– Jeremy Lauzon, also mentioned by Mollie Walker, is slightly older at 29 and took a step forward in Vegas’ run to the SCF (shortly after working on this part of the column, Lauzon signed a six-year extension with around a $4 mil AAV to stay with the Knights)
I advocated for Matt Grzelcyk a few seasons ago, and he could be a 6th or 7th blueliner.
– Additional netminders will be needed in Hartford because Hugo Olias and Talyn Boyko were not extended qualifying offers
The big name the Rangers are pursuing is Alexander Nikishin. Two “strikes” against are: 1) if Carolina is moving on from. a blueliner, see Skjei, Brady, be concerned, be very concerned, and 2) his cap ask certainly won’t be small. Add the acquisition cost, which is believed to be players and possibly picks, his addition is no slam dunk. Trocheck could be traded, assuming Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s remaining contract is part of the return, though that is pure speculation. Nikishin is a confident puck mover; the 24-year-old Russian initiates controlled zone exits. He has a strong first pass and uses his high-end skating ability to his advantage. He would certainly improve the blueline.
Development camp
As noted above, Bueker was one to watch. Besides this year’s draft picks who were in camp, Liam Greentree, acquired in the Artemi Panarin deal, met the New York media face-to-face for the first time. He and Nathan Aspinall, friends since they were six years old and skating partners this offseason, were the two forwards who drew the most interest. Drew Fortescue was the only defenseman in camp with NHL experience, though that experience doesn’t guarantee him a future spot.
This year’s picks certainly were the focus. Šmits rightfully drew the most attention based on his status as the team’s first pick and where he was selected. New York will likely give him every chance to earn a roster spot in training camp. Just don’t rush him. Even though they think he is ready, he must earn his spot.
Draft Analysis/Grades
Overall, I gave New York a B or a B+. Granted, giving grades now means nothing since we won’t really know anything for a few years. Draft success depends if Šmits is a top-four, two-way, physical defenseman. If that happens, irrespective of what Carels, Reid or Verheoff become, then a high grade will be warranted. If not, you can fill in the blank.
I like MacBeath a lot. His floor is a third-pairing blueliner, but he has the upside and puck-moving ability to slide up a duo. He is a value pick at 64, though lots of talent was available on the board there. As noted above, Chrenko was my favorite draft pick. He oozes offensive talent and creativity, qualities the organization lacks. Chrenko needs to get stronger on-and-off that puck, but that should come with maturity and be a focus for his development.
Dorofeyev
New York fired its first salvo just before the draft kickoff, acquiring Pavel Dorofeyev from Vegas. The Golden Knights are up against the cap, creating the buying opportunity the Rangers took advantage of. The 25th and 92nd picks in this year’s draft, along with a top-10 protected pick in the 2028 draft was the cost to acquire the pure goal scorer.
Dorofeyev doesn’t drive play, but he certainly can finish. He is one of just 12 NHL players to score 35-plus goals in each of the last two seasons, tallying 37 goals and 64 points. Dorofeyev played a key role in Vegas reaching the Stanley Cup Final this season. The scoring left wing carried that success over into the playoffs, where his 12 goals in 22 games were second only to Brett Howden (14).
New York needs to deploy Dorofeyev on PP1. Mika Zibanejad and Adam Fox are fixtures on that unit. Alexis Lafreniere should be as well. The fifth spot may be up for grabs between JT Miller, Trocheck and Gabe Perreault with Miller likely in the lead based on the letter on his chest and prior production on the man-advantage.
Heading into July 1, here is a look at New York’s projected lines:
Perreault-Zibanejad-Lafreniere
UFA-Miller-Dorofeyev
Cuylle-Trocheck-Raddysh
Kartye-Laba-Chmelar
Rempe/Sykora
Fox-Gavrikov
Robertson-Borgen
Fortescue-Schneider
Smits/Morrow
The Rangers still have a logjam of bottom-six wing options, but they’ve subtracted two this weekend by trading Berard and Edström. Even with those two moved, as free agency starts, Tye Kartye, Jaroslav Chmelař, Adam Sýkora and Matt Rempe are in the mix for a spot. Additionally, availability may depend on whether Trocheck or Taylor Raddysh is moved.
