Insider reveals two player the New York Rangers won't have return for the 2025-26 season

The New York Rangers will have to make tough decisions on who to bring back next fall.

With the signing of Will Borgen and the upcoming Igor Shesterkin contract, the Rangers will have to prioritize players, and these two may be gone from the organization in July.

Chad Ruhwedel

 

The New York Rangers originally traded for Chad Ruhwedel in 2024 for a 4th-round pick. The veteran defenseman would only suit up for five Rangers games and walk into free agency before Chris Drury decided to bring him back.

Since he returned to New York, he's found himself playing in the AHL with the Hartford Wolfpack as a depth option.

He might have to scout elsewhere for a new spot to play, as he hasn't been utilized as the Rangers' 7th defenseman either.

Blueshirt Banter predicts that Ruhwedel will join the Minnesota Wild, as defenseman Jon Merrill is a UFA, and Declan Chisholm (LHD) is an RFA. While they value Chisholm's contributions, they feel that they would want someone to step in as a veteran presence in the 7th defenseman role in Minnesota.

Calvin de Haan

It's doubtful that de Haan returns to the Rangers organization at the end of the year. He suited up for the Rangers despite doing everything he could for the club to the best of his abilities.

He'd call out the club for his lack of ice time, and it's easy to assume, after all of that, the relationship between the club and player is on the rocks.

Before he arrived in New York, he played 44 games for the Colorado Avalanche and had 7 assists.

Now, a benchwarmer in New York he might have to fight for a job, with a PTO wherever he may go next.

With the Avalanche likely to lose players like Ryan Lindgren, Erik Johnson and other defenseman, he could bolster the blue line which could be laid threadbare in July. He performed well enough to deserve a second-look and won't ask for a lionshare of the cap space.