“[New York] could use the remaining weeks of summer to explore a move that adds another young forward. One player who fits that strategy is Shane Wright,” Ryan McInerney wrote on Forever Blueshirts. “It’s believed that the Seattle Kraken are willing to work with the 22-year-old center toward finding a new team.”

Wright’s career highlights remain his time in the junior ranks and the journey that led to him being selected fourth overall in the 2022 NHL Draft. Since then, he’s struggled to make much of an impact. Through his first four years in Seattle, Wright has played 169 games, recording 36 goals and 42 assists for a total of 78 points. The Kraken expected much more from him.

Wright compared to 2022 NHL Draft class

Wright ranks fifth in points among players selected in the 2022 NHL Draft. He is behind Juraj Slafkovsky, Logan Cooley, and Lane Hutson. Moreover, he trails Cutter Gauthier—who was drafted one pick after him—by a wide margin.

The Anaheim Ducks forward (originally drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers) has 114 points despite playing fewer games and seasons than Wright. The Kraken didn’t expect Wright to be this unprepared for the NHL, and with him entering a contract year in 2026-27, Seattle may recognize it’s time to move on.

Wright’s contract situation

Wright is entering the third year of his entry-level contract. Under his rookie deal, he carries an $886,666 cap hit and will become a restricted free agent (RFA) next summer. Unless he finally breaks out next season, he won’t be in line to ask for much on his second NHL contract.

That could make Wright an appealing trade target for the Rangers, who may believe they can unlock his full potential. Although his production has left much to be desired so far, Wright won’t turn 23 until Jan. 5, 2027.

For Wright, his prime years are still ahead of him, and the Broadway Blueshirts may be the team that benefits from buying low. At the very least, giving it a try won’t be the worst thing in the world.

Where could Wright play for New York?

The 22-year-old center could join the Rangers as their third-line center. It would take an immediate breakout and a rapid rise for Wright to take over the second-line center role. For the time being, J.T. Miller is staying put in the middle of that line.

In more ways than one, however, Wright has the clock on his side. Not literally, since he has yet to sign a contract beyond 2027, but if he does the little things right in Manhattan—or Seattle, or wherever he ends up—he can buy himself time to continue developing.

Not many centers in their early 20s hold down top-six roles across the NHL, so Wright has time to find his footing. Moreover, if the Rangers trade for him, it will be because they see untapped potential, and Chris Drury and company will aim to get the most out of his development, even if he wasn’t drafted by the organization.

The Rangers made their intentions clear throughout the NHL offseason. Their flurry of moves on the blue line showed just how big of a void the Blueshirts faced on defense. However, they may have plugged one hole only to create another.

New York did acquire forwards—mainly Pavel Dorofeyev—but it still has a group full of question marks, especially when looking ahead to the future. The Rangers have yet to establish their identity under Sullivan, and they will only have so much time before they are forced to make roster decisions through re-signings and cuts.

“You better get it done this year because two years down the road, this team could look completely different again,” Marty Biron said about the Rangers’ offensive identity on Rangers Recon.

Rangers have a handful of unsigned players

The Rangers are entering the 2026-27 NHL campaign with nine forwards on contract years. The majority of them are restricted free agents (RFAs), while only three will become unrestricted free agents (UFAs): Oliver Bjorkstrand, Taylor Raddysh, and Joseph Veleno.

Among the RFA forwards, New York must figure things out with Will Cuylle, Tye Kartye, Matt Rempe, Noah Laba, Jaroslav Chmelar, and Gabe Perreault. Some re-signings, such as Cuylle’s and Perreault’s, should require little thought and could be taken care of during the season. Others, however, may go down to the wire.

Regardless, after a shift in the landscape surrounding RFAs, with many using their July 1 status as leverage to entertain offer sheets and force their organizations’ hands, the Blueshirts can’t take any chances. If Perreault has a full breakout season, he could draw interest from outside teams. That’s something New York can’t risk, so re-signing its former first-round pick as soon as possible is paramount.

NY Rangers’ core four

The Rangers have only four forwards signed through the 2029-30 season. As things stand, that’s their core. It consists of Dorofeyev, J.T. Miller, Mika Zibanejad, and Alexis Lafreniere. Even with their long-term contracts, there is speculation surrounding their futures.

The Rangers must figure out their offensive identity before long. Will they embrace a heavy-hitting style, or will they rely on the shiftiness and speed of their undersized skaters? Whichever path New York chooses, it had better hope it turns the tide right away.

The clock is ticking. The retool must yield results immediately, or bigger changes will be coming to the Big Apple. And this time, a retool may not suffice, leaving the Rangers with no choice but to rebuild—yet again.

“I think we have got to come back with vengeance,” Rempe said about the Rangers’ upcoming season, per Mollie Walker of the New York Post, at the Shoulder Check Showcase annual event.

Coming from Rempe, those words should send chills down the spine of every player in the NHL. Not many will want to be on the ice when Rempe takes his first shift of the season on Sept. 29 against the Boston Bruins. That is, of course, if he makes the active roster for opening night—and that’s still a big if.

Rempe’s spot is on the line

Rempe will have to prove his worth when the Blueshirts take the ice for training camp. Although he is impossible to miss thanks to his 6-foot-9 frame, Rempe was noticeably absent for much of last NHL season. The forward admitted he still has work to do before he is fully recovered from his left thumb injury, but has made significant progress and is no longer dealing with pain.

As a result of the injury and the subsequent surgeries, Rempe appeared in only 26 games last season. Even when he was available, however, he wasn’t at his best, so there’s reason to believe Mike Sullivan may have scratched him or even sent him down to the AHL for stretches of the season anyway. It’s impossible to say for certain, though.

Regardless, it’s clear Rempe must turn the tide heading into the 2026-27 season. If he can’t provide the team with more than fights, big hits that often lead to costly penalties, and his high-energy—yet risky—style of play, then he may not have a permanent spot in the lineup, and New York could be better off without him.

Rangers face big decision, even bigger season

That’s for Sullivan and his staff to evaluate, but Rempe must enter training camp and the preseason like rent is due—because, in a way, it is. This is the final season of his current contract in the Big Apple. Next summer, Rempe will become a restricted free agent, and uncertainty looms over his future.

Vengeance, redemption, a breakout season—you name it. That’s what’s at stake for Rempe. And for the Rangers as well. Last season reached historic lows at Madison Square Garden, and the Blueshirts won’t be allowed to put yet another lackluster act in Broadway.

However, if he fails to find his footing and the clock starts ticking, a trade may become the wisest option for the Blueshirts. If that happens, three teams with young rosters and a major need on the blue line could come knocking on Chris Drury’s door.

“I’ve wondered about defense-needy teams like the Anaheim Ducks, Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks,” Vincent Mercogliano wrote on The Athletic about a potential trade involving Schneider.

Ducks, Sharks, and Blackhawks make sense

Should any of the Ducks, Sharks, or Blackhawks call the Rangers to ask about Schneider, it wouldn’t be surprising. The three boast young lineups in which the offense features an elite center and enough talent—albeit to different extents on each team—to send chills down the spine of opposing defenses.

Another thing the three potential landing spots for Schneider have in common is that each has broken the piggy bank to extend its franchise center. Macklin Celebrini’s new contract with the Sharks set a record-breaking average annual value (AAV), while Leo Carlsson and Connor Bedard will still earn more than Celebrini next season. Still, there is a glaring void on the blue line for all three clubs, especially when it comes to depth.

Indeed, each team has—or at least hopes it has—its franchise life-changing defenseman: Anaheim has Jackson LaCombe, San Jose drafted Keaton Verhoeff, and Chicago traded for Bowen Byram while hoping Artyom Levshunov develops into an elite blueliner. Going further down the pairings, however, that’s where trouble lies for the Ducks, Sharks, and Blackhawks.

Schneider could still enter his prime

Schneider, who is still only 24 years old, could turn out to be a crucial depth addition, and a long-term one at that. For him, a change of scenery may be all he needs, and for the Rangers, trading him wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world—provided they receive a fitting offer.

The Blueshirts know, even if they can’t figure it out themselves, that Schneider is fixable. Thus, they can’t demand top dollar, but they won’t settle for peanuts in return, either. Finding that sweet spot in between is what it’s all about.

Perhaps it will be Anaheim, Chicago, or San Jose that comes through with the right offer. Or maybe a dark horse takes Schneider off the Blueshirts’ hands. The defenseman being re-signed in the Big Apple remains an option on the table, though it continues to inch closer to the edge with each passing day.

New Rangers in New York

New York revamped its defense during the offseason and, in fact, is in greater need of help in its top-six forward group. With Schneider, patience appears to be running low, and the fact the two sides agreed only to a one-year deal—largely to avoid arbitration—could indicate trouble.

Moreover, Mike Sullivan is trying to establish a new Rangers identity that hinges on Igor Shesterkin’s long-term commitment and a solid defensive corps. If Schneider finally breaks out and establishes himself, great. But if not, the Blueshirts have a backup plan. They made sure to lay the foundation during the offseason. Drafting Alberts Smits was further proof of that.

Unlike what happened with Schneider, New York will hope not to burn out its first-round defenseman this time around. At least, that’s easier said than done while the regular season still feels distant. Once the puck drops and the team needs answers, the original plan may be tossed out the window.

In the past, the Rangers have seen young players wear down under lofty expectations right from the start. With Smits, New York wants to get it right, and reports indicate Mike Sullivan and company are setting a clear ceiling for him. The higher a rookie flies, the harder the fall can be, and the Blueshirts want to avoid that scenario.

“The third-pair left defense spot is probably the highest Smits would get with a fully healthy defensive corps. That would bump Matthew Robertson to the extra defenseman,” Peter Baugh wrote on The Athletic.

NY Rangers addressed their defense

It was one of the main issues fans wanted fixed ahead of the 2026-27 NHL season. On paper, the Rangers have accomplished their goal. Their blue line now features several new faces while retaining cornerstone pieces like Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov.

If the Rangers are serious about their new team identity—one built around Igor Shesterkin’s long-term commitment and a strong defensive foundation—then this offseason has them moving in the right direction. With the additions of Marcus Pettersson and Sean Durzi, along with the re-signing of Braden Schneider, even if only on a one-year deal, New York’s defensive corps is set.

NY Rangers plan to give Smits time

Whether Smits breaks out in training camp or needs more time, the Rangers aren’t burdening their first-round pick with sky-high expectations from day one. Sure, they’d like to see encouraging progress from the Latvian teenager, but they knew they were making a developmental selection when they turned in his name at the 2026 NHL Draft.

Smits could be in the lineup on opening night of the 2026-27 NHL season or begin the year in the AHL with the Hartford Wolf Pack, and the Rangers would likely be satisfied with either outcome. New York would love for Smits to suddenly blossom into an NHL regular and put up Matthew Schaefer-like numbers as a rookie, but that’s unrealistic—even in a city like the Big Apple.

At the end of the day, Smits is only 18 years old, and his only games in North America have come while representing Latvia at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship and the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship. The Rangers have made mistakes in the past, but they appear determined not to repeat them in the way they develop their top selection from the 2026 NHL Draft.

“With Shesterkin and their defense, I think they’re going to be competing for the Jennings Trophy for the lowest goals against in the league. That’s what, to me, it looks like the Rangers are trying to do this year,” former NHL goalie Martin Byron stated on Rangers Recon podcast.

Whether the Rangers can truly become one of the NHL‘s best teams at shutting down opponents during the 2026-27 season may ultimately come down to Shesterkin’s performance. And if Sullivan and company want this blueprint to work over the long term, they need their star goaltender to be certain he wants to see out his contract in Manhattan.

Shesterkin’s future

So far, so good, but the speculation surrounding Shesterkin’s future remains loud, and another disappointing season may be the final straw for him. Shesterkin is entering the second year of his eight-year, $92.48 million contract.

On paper, being signed through 2033 on the richest contract ever handed to an NHL goaltender should leave little doubt that the Russian netminder is in New York City to stay. However, crazier things have happened, and if Shesterkin decides he wants out of New York, he can choose his destination thanks to his full no-movement clause (NMC).

A franchise like the Florida Panthers has long been mentioned as a potential landing spot, and if things don’t improve for the Rangers anytime soon, Shesterkin may very well decide to find out whether the grass really is greener elsewhere.

NY Rangers’ new defense

As badly as things went for the Blueshirts last season, they still finished in the upper half of the league in goals allowed. New York ranked 15th after allowing 249 goals in 82 games, or an average of 3.04 goals per outing.

Obviously, the fact that the Rangers ranked 10th worst in goals scored (2.87 goals per game) didn’t help and goes a long way toward explaining why they lost far more games than they won.

Heading into the 2026-27 campaign, however, things are looking up. New York’s revamped defensive corps includes Adam Fox, Vladislav Gavrikov, Marcus Pettersson, Sean Durzi, Braden Schneider, Urho Vaakanainen, and Matthew Robertson. Moreover, Vincent Iorio (RFA) and Alberts Smits (No. 5 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft) could also be added to the mix.

NY Rangers have high hopes

That blue-line core, combined with Shesterkin as the starter, Joonas Korpisalo filling in when needed, and Sullivan behind the bench, could very well set the Rangers up for a strong season.

The retool may hit paydirt right away for Chris Drury and company, but it may all hinge on New York becoming a defensive powerhouse, with Shesterkin serving as the cornerstone. Otherwise, it could all come crashing down like a house of cards.

In return, the Rangers acquired defenseman Sean Durzi, a player the organization believes can become an important piece of its rebuilding process under head coach Mike Sullivan.

While losing a respected veteran like Trocheck was difficult for many fans, Durzi’s first comments after arriving in New York have already generated optimism about what he can bring to the franchise.

Sean Durzi excited to join the NY Rangers

Speaking after the trade became official, Sean Durzi made it clear he is eager to begin the next chapter of his career in New York. “You look at the roster, there’s so many good players and it’s such an exciting team. I just can’t wait to be a part of it.”

The comments were welcomed by Rangers fans, especially after an offseason filled with uncertainty surrounding the team’s direction. Despite finishing among the NHL’s biggest disappointments last season, New York still features a roster loaded with proven talent.

The Rangers continue to build around players such as Adam Fox, J.T. Miller, Mika Zibanejad and Igor Shesterkin, while hoping Durzi can strengthen the blue line as the organization pushes toward becoming a Stanley Cup contender once again. He will be a key piece on defense.

The Trocheck trade represented a significant change, but the Rangers believe adding younger pieces like Durzi is an important step in building a team capable of competing for championships in the years ahead.

Determined to begin a rebuilding process, the Rangers have already made several significant roster changes. The most surprising move came when the front office traded veteran center Vincent Trocheck to the Utah Mammoth, signaling that difficult decisions are still ahead as the front office reshapes the roster around head coach Mike Sullivan.

However, rebuilding the team may prove more difficult than expected. Even if the Rangers identify the players they want, convincing elite talent to come to New York could become one of the organization’s biggest obstacles heading into the 2026-27 season.

NY Rangers facing major NHL free-agency challenge

According to a report from Vincent Mercogliano, the New York Rangers could struggle to land a true star center during free agency because many top players no longer view New York as a preferred destination.

“It’s hard to believe any top center would choose the Rangers unless things turn around. Multiple players who sought trades this summer did not have the Rangers on their list of desired destinations.”

The comments suggest the Rangers are dealing with more than just roster issues. They are also facing a perception problem around the league after what happened last season.

What’s next for the NY Rangers?

If elite players are unwilling to join the Rangers, New York’s rebuilding process could take considerably longer than expected. Despite having established stars such as J.T. Miller, Igor Shesterkin, Adam Fox, and Mika Zibanejad, the organization may struggle to attract the high-end talent needed to return to Stanley Cup contention.

Unless the Rangers show meaningful progress during the 2026-27 season, convincing top NHL players to choose New York over other contenders could remain one of Mike Sullivan’s biggest challenges.

It may seem sudden or premature, but Gavrikov may not want to waste time on a non-contending team with his 31st birthday coming midway through the upcoming campaign. Gavrikov could still be rushing into a decision, but perhaps he’s seen all he needs to make up his mind about the way things are run in New York. Although he’s locked to the Rangers through 2032, he may be in a new NHL organization before next summer.

“There are still whispers that Gavrikov is not super happy with the direction of the Rangers,” Arthur Staple said on Rangers Recon podcast. “If things go bad, is he going to be a guy in Drury’s office saying ‘I think I’d like to go somewhere else’ in year two of a seven-year deal?”

Gavrikov’s trade clause

In the event Gavrikov asks out of New York, the Rangers’ front office would have a lot to take into account. According to reports, the Rangers may be giving Chris Drury two more seasons of leeway, but a trade request from Gavrikov—whom Drury signed to a seven-year deal—could change everything.

Not only did Drury commit to paying Gavrikov $18 million in total salary through the first two years of his deal, but he also gave him a full no-movement clause (NMC). If Gavrikov requests a trade, he would be in full control of where he goes next. As for what would be up to them, the Blueshirts could only hang on to the blueliner and watch a $7 million cap hit go to waste.

Clearly, Drury must hope there’s no fire behind the smoke and that rumors about Gavrikov’s growing frustration aren’t as serious as they’re being portrayed. Otherwise, it would be yet another front-office decision that blows up in New York’s face.

NY Rangers’ defensive depth

The Rangers did a good job addressing one of their biggest concerns this offseason. New York traded for Marcus Pettersson and Sean Durzi, drafted Alberts Smits with the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and bought itself time by settling with Braden Schneider on a one-year deal.

It cost the Rangers Vincent Trocheck and a conditional 2030 first-round pick (top-10 protected), but it may all be worth it. That hinges entirely on how the Blueshirts perform next season. That’s usually how it goes. No one judges offseason moves based on first impressions in the summer. Their true impact is measured over the course of the season.

For the Rangers, the stakes are high. If they go off the rails like they did last year, Gavrikov may ask out, and who knows where the domino effect would stop. The speculation surrounding Adam Fox’s future would once again dominate the headlines, and perhaps the hometown player would finally walk into Drury’s office, knock on the door, and ask for a trade out of Manhattan.

New York set for crucial season

After the season New York has been through, some might say the only way is up. But that’s only a figure of speech, and the Rangers know things can always get worse. Winning usually fixes everything in sports, and in the City That Never Sleeps, it’s the ultimate medicine.

“The New York Rangers are hiring Jonathan Quick as director of goaltending development,” as reported by Mollie Walker of The New York Post on her X account.

After 20 NHL seasons, during which he hoisted the Stanley Cup three times and spent the last three campaigns in the Big Apple, Quick decided to retire after the 2025-26 season. However, he isn’t done with hockey just yet. Thus, he will be staying close to the rink—and, more specifically, the crease—where he made a living and became arguably the best American goalie in league history.

Revamped development group

The Rangers have heard the buzz. After struggling to develop many of their recent top picks into key contributors, they’ve finally had enough. In early May, New York announced Tanner Glass’ arrival as the new director of player development.

Now, the Broadway Blueshirts are adding more familiar faces to work alongside Glass. Quick will be tasked with overseeing the organization’s goaltending prospects. Moreover, Derick Brassard is also joining the group as a player development assistant, according to The Athletic.

The Rangers know just how high the stakes are. Indeed, they may be giving president and general manager Chris Drury two more seasons of leeway, but they want results, especially in player development. That’s why Glass, Quick, and Brassard have been brought in.

Quick’s new job

Under his reported new role with the Rangers, Quick will oversee the organization’s goalie prospects, likely including Dylan Garand, who is poised to be the third-string netminder during the 2026-27 NHL season but could very well earn a bigger role.

Whether that happens, or does so sooner rather than later, could very well be determined by Quick’s work alongside the 24-year-old, who was Quick’s teammate last season. Other goalies under Quick’s supervision will be Callum Tung and 2027 third-round pick Danai Shaiikov. Needless to say, Quick will have his hands full.

NY Rangers’ goalie room

Still, he may not be under as much pressure as Glass and Brassard, at least as long as Igor Shesterkin is content to stay in Manhattan and his presence keeps the spotlight away from concerns about the team’s goaltending depth. As long as Shesterkin is in net, the Blueshirts can out-goalie any team on any given night, and that’s enough to keep fans happy.

Moreover, Joonas Korpisalo’s arrival also provides a confidence boost in goal. With such an experienced tandem, the pressure isn’t on Garand to blossom into an NHL regular overnight, thus giving Quick more time to work.

For the retired goalie, it will also be his first experience in such a role, so he will need some time to settle in and get a handle of things. He’s been inside the building for a while, he knows the lay of the land, but this is still a new chapter for Quick. The Rangers would be wise to remember that.

Indeed, the 2026-27 NHL season is paramount for New York, but the way the Rangers have gone about their business suggests the president and general manager should be relatively safe through the upcoming campaign—if not beyond.

“By the time the 2027-28 season rolls around, the grace period will be over,” Vince Mercogliano stated on an article on The Athletic. Because the Rangers still own the rights to their first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft, they could live with a draft-lottery finish in the upcoming campaign. However, that could be as far as the patience runs for Drury’s tenure.

NY Rangers’ draft picks

New York’s offseason paints a clear picture of how the organization sees the future. The Rangers parted with their first-round selection in 2028 in the trade for Pavel Dorofeyev, as well as the 2030 first-rounder, which was sent to the Vancouver Canucks in the Marcus Pettersson trade. Both are conditional (top-10 protected), but the point remains.

The Broadway Blueshirts are setting a two-year window for their retool. The goal remains to become a playoff team next season, but even if they fall short, it wouldn’t be catastrophic.

Moreover, if they end up with yet another lottery pick in 2027-28, the Rangers could still keep their first-rounder and then, finally, enter a sink-or-swim campaign in 2028-29, because they would give up their first-round selection in 2029 regardless of where they finish in the standings.

What it means for Drury’s future

When every moving piece is put together, it indicates Drury could have a two-year cushion. There is a scenario in which the Rangers carry out Drury’s plan without the president and GM, but the latest signs from the organization may put such a path to rest.

Drury is under contract

Not too long ago, Drury and the Blueshirts agreed to a multi-year contract extension (in April 2025). A lot has happened since then; key players have come and gone, and confidence in Drury may have wavered. Still, it’s one of those topics that can only be known for certain once an official announcement is made.

For the time being, fans should go about their days under the presumption that Drury is in New York to stay.