After spending time last week grouping current Rangers into trade tiers, our next offseason preview will focus on external targets.
The NHL is beginning to buzz with rumors, especially after executives, scouts and agents came together and exchanged ideas at the 2025 Draft Combine in Buffalo from June 2-7.
We’re still in the early stages − the 2024-25 season isn’t even over yet, with the thrilling Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers ongoing − so many of the names floated and proposals pitched at this stage won’t gain traction. General managers are mostly gauging the market for their own players and trying to decipher who might be available from other teams, with the real action still a couple weeks away. But it’s a fun time to analyze various scenarios and size up what each GM is trying to accomplish.
The Rangers and team president Chris Drury are right in the thick of it. Multiple league sources, who spoke with lohud.com, part of the USA TODAY, on the condition of anonymity, indicated they are putting out feelers in many different directions and seem motivated to make something happen. New York went from Presidents’ Trophy winners in 2023-24 to missing the playoffs entirely a year later, which has turned up the heat on Drury to resuscitate a roster that’s grown stale on his watch.
There may not be a quick fix, but the goal is to aggressively seek upgrades and continue a makeover process that began with a series of in-season trades. Further complicating the situation is a salary cap crunch that will severely limit what Drury can add unless he simultaneously finds ways to subtract. All the while, he must be conscious of preserving as much flexibility as possible for the summer of 2026, when a star-studded class is scheduled to hit free agency.
The 2025 UFA class pales in comparison, with sources expecting inflated contracts for the middling pack of players available once the signing period opens July 1. Barring a major cap-clearing move, the Rangers won’t be able to swim in those waters, leaving Drury to focus on trades as his main avenue to make changes. That market will likely heat up sooner, with preliminary conversations already underway and a rush of activity expected in the days leading up to the June 27-28 draft.
Admittedly, some of the names included in this story are more realistic than others − and some won’t be moved at all. But based on intel from sources, reporting from fellow writers in various NHL cities and hours of combing through every roster in the league, I’ve come up with a list of targets who I’ve either heard have been discussed or simply make sense based on their circumstances. Think of it as an index of players who are at least worth calling to inquire about.
I honed in on the Blueshirts’ three primary positions of need − center, right wing and left-handed defensemen − except for a couple instances where I believe the Rangers would stray based on the quality of the player. I also emphasized what I’m hearing will be priorities under Drury and new head coach Mike Sullivan, specifically speed, size and snarl, as well as getting younger if the right opportunity presents itself.
There are a few role players mentioned, but the majority are true needle-movers − top-six forwards and top-four defensemen who can step right in and give the Rangers the shot in the arm they so desperately need. We’ll get to secondary targets in the coming weeks, but now is the time to aim high and see if there’s a move (or two) out there that helps make last season’s disappointment a distant memory.
Centers
Jack McBain, Utah Mammoth
The newly coined Mammoth are looking to make a splash and push themselves into playoff contention, with multiple reports indicating their pick at No. 4 overall in the upcoming draft is on the table in exchange for an immediate contributor. At the same time, they have highly touted prospects coming up through their pipeline, such as Daniil But and Tij Iginla, which could further crowd their forward group.
That brings us to McBain, a RFA with arbitration rights who’s game hasn’t popped through his first three full NHL seasons but brings attributes the Rangers would surely find appealing.
The 25-year-old has yet to eclipse 27 points in a season, but he’s a big-bodied center at 6-foot-4, 219 pounds who plays a hard, honest game. Even if the offense never blossoms enough for a top-six assignment, he’s a physical presence (team-high 291 hits last season) who kills penalties, plays heavy on the forecheck and works the high-danger areas. He could be a nice fit as New York’s third-line center and free up Mika Zibanejad to make a permanent move to RW.
Nick Schmaltz would be more expensive, both in terms of acquisition cost and cap hit, but he’s another Utah forward worth inquiring about. The speedy 29-year-old can play center and wing (it’s been more of the latter in recent years) and would add scoring punch with four straight seasons of 58 points or more. He’s entering the final year of a deal that carries an average annual value of $5.85 million, which could motivate the Mammoth to move him if they don’t believe he’ll re-sign.
Mason McTavish, Anaheim Ducks
This one feels like a long shot because it sounds like the Ducks are hoping to keep McTavish and groom him as their No. 2 center behind emerging star Leo Carlsson. But we’ve seen a level of comfort with Drury and Anaheim GM Pat Verbeek doing business together, and we know the latter is on the hunt for veterans to propel his talented young roster to the next level.
McTavish is right in line with what the Rangers are looking for − a tough, strong, two-way center who does a lot of his damage inside and around the net. The 6-foot-1, 219-pounder ranked second on the team with 86 high-danger scoring chances last season, according to Natural Stat Trick, and has plenty of skill in the tank, as well, as evidenced by a career-high 52 points (22 goals and 30 assists) in 76 games. The main knock on him is the lack of foot speed, but he’s still only 22 with room to improve.
Again, signs are pointing to the Ducks striking a deal with a RFA who’s due for a raise they can easily afford. But if any doubt creeps in, the No. 3 overall pick from the 2021 draft would have plenty of suitors.
Shane Pinto, Ottawa Senators
It may not be the Sens’ forward that Rangers fans have been dreaming about, but there have been whispers that Ottawa GM Steve Staios is willing to discuss a few players not named Brady Tkachuk.
Drake Batherson would have been a prime target, but owner Michael Andlauer put that notion to bed on June 6 when he told reporters that rumors involving the scoring RW were “totally false.” But he didn’t say anything about Pinto, a 24-year-old center with two 20-goal seasons on his résumé and untapped potential to dream on.
The Franklin Square, NY native skates well, ranking in the 72nd percentile in speed bursts over 20 mph, according to NHL EDGE, which he puts to use as an effective forechecker and defender, and combines with desired size at 6-foot-3, 204 pounds. Plus, he just helped Team USA capture gold at the World Championships − and we know how much Drury loves going to the U.S. Hockey pipeline.
Pinto is under contract for one more year at $3.75 million before becoming a RFA with arbitration rights. He’s had some injury issues in the past, but if there’s any wiggle room there, he feels like a young center worth taking a chance on.
Marco Rossi, Minnesota Wild
The 23-year-old RFA has been a very buzzy name lately, fueled by a report from The Athletic suggesting the Wild are unwilling to offer a long-term contract and Rossi isn’t interested in a bridge deal. That’s created an impasse while intensifying trade chatter.
The No. 9 overall pick from 2020 posted 21 goals or more in each of his first two full seasons and hit 60 points for the first time in 2024-25. He’s an exciting talent with skill and speed, but there have been developmental speed bumps, particularly on the defensive side. That led to Rossi getting buried on the fourth line at the end of the season while raising questions about his future in Minnesota.
Young, productive centers rarely come available, so there should be a robust market if Wild GM Bill Guerin determines a trade is necessary. But I do wonder if the Rangers would be willing to pull from their shallow pool of premium assets for a 5-foot-9, 182-pound center when they’re aiming to get bigger, stronger and more defensively sound.
Wingers
Conor Garland, Vancouver Canucks
The Rangers began to take on a Canucks East flavor last season by acquiring J.T. Miller and Carson Soucy, with the former holding sway in a locker room where the dynamics are changing.
Miller and Garland were said to be close during their four seasons together in Vancouver, where they spent over 1,000 regular-season minutes as linemates and produced solid results. Garland registered at least 17 goals and 46 points in each of those seasons, but he’s most noted for his hustle on the forecheck and ability to push the pace off the rush. The 29-year-old ranked sat 84th percentile in speed bursts over 20 mph and profiles as a strong fit for Sullivan’s high-pressure system.
It’s unclear if the Canucks are entertaining offers, but they may want to cash in before the Scituate, Mass. native enters the final year of his contract, rather than risk losing him via free agency next summer. Garland’s $4.95 million AAV is $1.55 million less than the Rangers are paying Chris Kreider, who Drury is actively shopping, and would gain them a RW who’s five years younger and fills a hole at a bigger position of need.
Martin Nečas, Colorado Avalanche
The 26-year-old was the main piece the Avs received in the shocking January trade that sent star Mikko Rantanen to Carolina and looked the part of an emerging star himself. He combined for a career-high 83 points (27 goals and 56 assists) in 79 games with the Hurricanes and Avalanche while bolstering his reputation as one of the NHL’s best pure skaters, but a recent report from Sportsnet suggested the 6-foot-3, 195-pounder “wasn’t overly thrilled” with his stint in Colorado.
Now he’s entering a contract year, with the possibility of a big payday coming next summer. We saw the Avs pull the plug on Rantanen for fear of him leaving via free agency, so would they do the same with Nečas?
Another factor is Colorado’s need to clear salary after agreeing to a three-year, $22.5 million extension with Brock Nelson on June 4. That leaves a league-worst $1.2 million in remaining cap space, according to PuckPedia, and multiple holes to fill. Something has to give, with Nečas due to eat up $6.5 million.
The Rangers considered drafting the Czech forward in 2017 (instead making the regrettable Lias Andersson pick) and could try to remedy that decision if he comes available. He’d instantly make them a faster, more dynamic team, but fitting that salary is only possible if they move Kreider. (And maybe more, especially knowing they also want to add a defenseman.)
JJ Peterka, Buffalo Sabres
There seems to be some fire to go with this smoke, but multiple hurdles stand in the way of a Peterka acquisition. For starters, it doesn’t sound like the Sabres want to move the 23-year-old RFA, who just posted a career-high 68 points (27 goals and 41 assists) and is very much on the ascent. Secondly, there’s been no Buffalo-New York trade since 2021 talks surrounding Jack Eichel broke down and left Rangers’ brass frustrated.
That’s not to say the two sides can’t make a deal, but Peterka is a player who’s drawing a ton of interest around the league, and the Blueshirts would have to distinguish their offer from a competitive pack to have a real chance.
But I’ve also heard enough whispers to believe that: A) The Rangers are very intrigued by the player, who has mostly played wing lately but has experience at center; and B) The player is sending signals he doesn’t intend to stay in Buffalo long term. If Part B is true, the Sabres should be worried about the offer sheet possibility and may be forced to reconsider their position.
Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars
Teams are buzzing around the 25-year-old all-star, wondering if they can seize on Dallas’ itch for change following its third straight loss in the Western Conference Final. The Rangers, I’m told, are one of them.
Making a call about Robertson should come as no surprise given his proven production and young age. The 6-foot-3, 207-pounder already has a 109-point season on his résumé, with 80 in each of the last two. He’s scored 35 goals or more three times while playing a reliable defensive game, finishing in the top 20 for Selke Trophy voting twice.
His next contract is the biggest holdup. Robertson is due $7.75 million next season before entering his final summer as an RFA. He’ll likely end up with an AAV above $10 million and the cap-strapped Stars may not have the room to fit it, especially after handing Rantanen an eight-year extension worth $12 million per season.
It’s still hard to believe Dallas would actually trade the Arcadia, California native, but it would turn the market on its head if GM Jim Nill decides to go that route. If not Robertson, perhaps center Mavrik Bourque (RFA in need of a new contract) or winger Mason Marchment (entering final season of a deal carrying a $4.5 million AAV) could be offloaded to trim salary and would have some appeal for the Rangers.
Bryan Rust, Pittsburgh Penguins
There are select few players who spent a full 10 seasons with Sullivan in Pittsburgh, with the 33-year-old on that short list. Rust doesn’t carry the star power of Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang or Evgeni Malkin, but he was a key cog for the Penguins who Sullivan came to depend.
The 5-foot-11, 198-pounder has posted 42 points or more for six consecutive seasons, including a career-high 65 in 2024-25 while eclipsing 30 goals for the first time. An even bigger draw would be his familiarity with New York’s new system. Bringing in a veteran who can fill the RW hole that’s burned the Rangers for years and help teach the nuances of Sullivan’s layered forechecking scheme would be a huge get.
Trading a two-time Cup winning teammate might not sit well with Crosby and Co., but GM Kyle Dubas has made it clear the Pens are entering a rebuild stage. And Rust, who has three years remaining on his deal for an AAV of $5.125 million but no longer holds any trade protection, is one of the most valuable chips he can use to kickstart that process.
Left-handed defensemen
Bowen Byram, Buffalo Sabres
None of the names on this list have generated as much chatter lately as the former No. 4 overall pick from the 2019 draft. Byram is a RFA who needs a new contract and the Sabres are looking to shake things up, with GM Kevyn Adams openly fielding calls and likely sending him to the highest bidder.
It’s not that dissimilar from the situation in New York, where K’Andre Miller’s ups and downs have led the Rangers to gauge trade interest this summer. Byram looked like the clear choice between the two a few years ago, when he burst on the scene to win a Cup in Colorado. But the 23-year-old (he’ll turn 24 on June 13) has stagnated in Buffalo, with Miller grading out slightly higher in most analytical categories and holding the better career-high points total (43 vs. 38).
Both provide excellent mobility with fleeting physicality, with Miller holding an advantage in length at 6-foot-5 compared to Byram at 6-foot-1. Do the Rangers see enough upside to attempt that swap and hand Byram the money they’re reluctant to give Miller?
Mario Ferraro, San Jose Sharks
The 26-year-old was being floated at the trade deadline but ended up staying put for the time being. Now that he’s entering the final year of a deal that carries a $3.25 million AAV, will the Sharks test the waters again?
There are traits to like about Ferraro, starting with his feistiness, defense-first mindset and skating that ranked in the 85th percentile for speed bursts over 20 mph. But there are also limitations with his offense (he’s never eclipsed 21 points over six seasons) and size (listed at 6-foot, albeit having bulked up to 209 pounds).
The Toronto native shouldn’t be viewed as a replacement for Miller, rather as a defenseman who could help in a second- or third-pair role. But is he enough of an improvement over Carson Soucy, who Drury gave up a third-round pick for just a few months ago, to surrender more assets for at this stage?
Samuel Girard, Colorado Avalanche
Remember those cap problems the Avs are having? Well, if they decide to hold Nečas and can’t find a taker for some of their less desirable forwards, they may have to look to the back end for ways to clear space. And if that happens, Girard is a name that some are wondering about.
The 27-year-old is an excellent skater (88th percentile in speed bursts over 20 mph) and strong puck transporter, which are two areas where the Rangers can use plenty of help. But we also know they’re looking for size, which Girard lacks at 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, and a potential partner for top defenseman Adam Fox. My sense is they prefer more of a stay-at-home, physical presence for that spot.
Girard still seems worth exploring if he hits the trade block because of the impact he can make breaking pucks out and attacking off the rush. He’s also proven he can handle heavy workloads while averaging 20:51 time on ice or more in five of the last six seasons. And with two years left on a contract that carries a $5 million AAV, there’s pretty good value built in without needing to commit long term.
Nicolas Hague, Vegas Golden Knights
After Byram, Hague is probably the second most-talked about defenseman in NHL trade circles. That’s because he’s a RFA in need of a new contract and Vegas is tight on cap space.
The Knights have roughly $9.6 million available, but that’s with only nine forwards on the roster. Filling those holes is a priority, especially with seven D already under contract for next season. And while Hague has been a valuable piece on the back end, GM Kelly McCrimmon may have reservations about paying up for a player who’s currently blocked from their top four.
The cap crunch could force the 26-year-old out, in which case the Rangers would be one of several interested parties. He’d bring the size they covet at 6-foot-6, 245 pounds, with puck-moving skills to boot after three straight seasons of 40 points or more. He doesn’t grade out as highly in skating metrics as others on this list and may have trouble in a more demanding defensive role, but he’d project as a surefire top-four D in New York.
Brett Kulak, Edmonton Oilers
I haven’t heard Kulak’s name thrown out there much, probably because the Oilers are still playing, but there are logical dots to connect.
The 31-year-old has been a stabilizing presence on Edmonton’s blue line for four straight seasons, never registering an xGF below 52%, according to Evolving Hockey. There’s not much flash to his game with no seasons over 25 points, but these playoffs have shown he can move a puck quickly in the face of a swarming forecheck and his 94th percentile rating in speed bursts over 20 mph suggests his skating is a serious strength. Quite frankly, the Rangers could use a dose of boring in their D corps.
The Oilers aren’t itching to move the 6-foot-2, 192-pounder with a manageable cap hit of $2.75 million, but projecting ahead, there will be decisions to make. Three left-handed defensemen – Kulak, Mattias Ekholm and Jake Walman – are all set to be UFAs in 2026. They already have Darnell Nurse at the top of that LHD depth chart with a contract that pays him $9.25 million per year through 2030 and their best overall defenseman, Evan Bouchard, is due for a big raise this summer. Someone will eventually have to go, which could provide an opening for the Rangers to inquire about Kulak (or Walman, for that matter).
Ryan McDonagh, Tampa Bay Lightning
The Rangers may have a chance to bring their former captain home more than seven years after shipping him out in the worst trade of the rebuild era.
It shouldn’t cost any major assets to get him, but it would require some salary cap maneuvering. McDonagh is entering the final season of a contract that pays him $6.75 million, which is the main reason league sources believe Tampa is open to moving him. The Lightning have the second-worst cap situation in the NHL with only $3.48 million available and would like to give themselves breathing room.
McDonagh will turn 36 on June 13, so he certainly isn’t making the roster any younger. But he’s maintained a fairly high level of play, with a 53.64% xGF, plus-43 rating and 70th percentile ranking in top skating speed this past season. He’d provide much-needed stability and leadership for a defense that’s never fully recovered since he left and wouldn’t require any commitment beyond this season. The Rangers wouldn’t damage their cap flexibility for the big summer of 2026 and could try to re-sign him at a lower AAV if he wants to stay and finish his career where it started.
Imagine if McDonagh and J.T. Miller led a New York revival all these years after that fateful trade? It’s a long shot, but crazier things have happened.
Jamie Oleksiak, Seattle Kraken
This one kind of feels like Soucy 2.0, with Oleksiak also coming off a down year and entering the final season of his contract.
The 32-year-old is even more imposing at 6-foot-7, 252 pounds and gets higher marks for mobility, with a 62nd percentile ranking in speed bursts over 20 mph. (Soucy is below 50th percentile.) But he also comes with a higher AAV at $4.6 million.
Oleksiak has a long history with another former Kraken defenseman acquired by the Rangers, Will Borgen, having logged 1,742:21 together in their first three seasons with Seattle. The results were right down the middle – 49.99% xGF and 48.32% GF – but that familiarity could be a selling point. If the plan is to go from K’Andre Miller to Oleksiak, though, that would feel like a slight step backwards.
Vincent Z. Mercogliano is the New York Rangers beat reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Read more of his work at lohud.com/sports/rangers/ and follow him on Twitter @vzmercogliano.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: NY Rangers trade targets: Who’s available to jolt a stale roster?