The New York Rangers have five days remaining in making their decision on whether to trade their 2025 first round pick or defer and send the 2026 first rounder to their Division rival Pittsburgh Penguins.![New York Rangers Chris Drury #nhl #rangers]()
This pick originally was sent to the Vancouver Canucks when the Rangers acquired JT Miller which this pic was then sent to the Penguins from the Canucks during the same trade deadline.
Rangers hold a top-13 protected first round pick
Having a top 13 protected first round pick will make things difficult for the Rangers as several decisions will come into play which include forgoing their 2026 first round pick in a very deep draft.
It was also mentioned that the Rangers would lose the ability to use an offer sheet if the team where to draft on Friday June 27th as they would need the 2026 first rounder to complete the deal.
Rangers' general manager Chris Drury and the organization have not held a draft pick this high since the Rangers drafted Alexis Lafrenière first overall several years ago.
The team is mired in questions regarding roster composition an what direction the Rangers would like to go now that former head coach Peter Laviolette was fired and newly installed head coach Mike Sullivan may bring a different look an expectation for the team going into next season.
Offer sheet loss could hurt Rangers
The implications of the offer sheet loss could greatly affect the Rangers as several players could be available for offer sheets which would require the Rangers to hold their first and third round picks.
Peter Baugh of the Athletic explains the details.
«The Rangers would keep the offer sheet possibility open if they forfeit their 2025 first-round pick, but they might also not have the cap space needed to sign someone in that salary range, especially if they don't move out any other contracts. There's a reason offer sheets aren't standard: They're hard to pull off,» wrote The Athletic's Peter Baugh.
It's a difficult position that Rangers are in and it remains to be seen on what direction they will go but Rangers fans and pundits alike will need to wait and see where the team will take themselves as the offseason officially opens on June 27th with the entry draft.
