The New York Rangers have been active this offseason as they work to rebound from a disappointing 2024–25 campaign. The organization made headlines earlier this month with the acquisition of J.T. Miller in a trade with Sidney Crosby’s Pittsburgh Penguins, signaling a renewed push toward contention. Now, New York is once again in the spotlight — this time linked to the potential future pursuit of one of the NHL’s biggest names.
As Connor McDavid enters the final season of his contract with the Edmonton Oilers, speculation about his long-term future has begun to circulate. McDavid is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2026, and his next move is expected to reshape the NHL landscape.
In a recent piece for Bleacher Report, NHL analyst Adam Gretz identified the Rangers as a realistic landing spot should McDavid decide to test free agency. The article evaluated several potential destinations based on roster composition, market size, and future salary cap projections.
“The NHL would love to see its biggest star playing in its biggest market, and the Rangers would undoubtedly love to have a franchise-changing player at the top of their lineup,” Gretz wrote. “It would go a long way to kick-start excitement in Manhattan, especially after everything went so far off the rails during the 2024–25 season.”
Connor McDavid #97 and Leon Draisaitl #29 of the Edmonton Oilers react after a goal by the Florida Panthers during the second period in Game Six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
McDavid’s contract timeline and New York’s cap position
Connor McDavid signed his current eight-year, $100 million contract with Edmonton in 2017. That deal carries an annual cap hit of $12.5 million and is set to expire at the end of the 2025–26 season. The Oilers captain has not publicly addressed his contract situation, and no extension talks have been confirmed.
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Meanwhile, the Rangers are preparing for a potentially significant shift in their salary structure. Several veteran contracts are set to come off the books next offseason, which could create the cap space required to pursue a player of McDavid’s caliber.
New York remains one of the NHL’s most high-profile franchises, and the combination of market influence, roster flexibility, and renewed direction under head coach Mike Sullivan may position the team as a legitimate suitor in 2026.
Edmonton’s outlook and league-wide implications
TheEdmonton Oilers, led by McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, reached the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, falling just short of capturing their first title since 1990. McDavid posted 132 points in 78 games last season and remains the face of the franchise and the league. The organization has not shown any indication of moving on from its captain.
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Still, the clock is ticking. McDavid becomes eligible to sign an extension in July 2025, one year before his current deal expires. If no agreement is reached by that point, interest from other NHL clubs — particularly major-market teams like the Rangers — is expected to intensify.
