The offseason is underway for the Rangers, though it won’t “truly” get underway until after the draft lottery on May 5th. Though we don’t necessarily know their plans, we know most of the Rangers needs this offseason. The focus lately has been on Vincent Trocheck and Braden Schneider, but how they can address the Rangers needs this offseason hasn’t truly been identified. The approach is still up for debate, but the Rangers needs this offseason are pretty clear.
1. Another true scoring line
The Rangers will likely head into the 2026-2027 season with the Alexis Lafreniere-Mika Zibanejad-Gabe Perreault line as one of their top two lines. They will also probably have JT Miller center the other line, but the wingers are still up in the air right now. Will Cuylle has been penciled in by many to be in the top six, but barring a significant improvement he’s likely a third line winger on a true Cup competitor.
Emphasis on “likely” because some of Cuylle’s future production is dependent on Miller returning to form and another scoring talent on that line. There’s a path for Cuylle to become a Tom Wilson-lite, preferably without the dirty hits, but there’s a lot that’s out of his control.
On a team that lacks scoring punch, this is truly the biggest of the Rangers needs this offseason.
2. A fourth line center
The Rangers have the makings of a tremendous bottom six with some combination of Tye Kartye, Noah Laba, Adam Sykora, and Jaro Chmelar as the core of those two lines. The futures of Conor Sheary and Taylor Raddysh are likely connected, as it’s likely preferred to trade Raddysh and keep Sheary in a fourth line role. Mattt Rempe and Adam Edstrom are still around, but also slight afterthoughts when given the other players.
What the Rangers lack is another center after Laba to take the 4C spot. It’s one of the true Rangers needs this offseason that hasn’t necessarily been spoken about yet. Edstrom was tried at center, but was healthy scratched towards the end of the year as he wasn’t really meeting what coach Mike Sullivan wants. At 26 years old when next season starts, Edstrom’s time in New York may be nearing an end.
Unless the Rangers want Jonny Brodzinski as their 4C, this is one of the Rangers needs this offseason that can likely be filled via free agency. Kevin Stenlund could be an interesting target here.
3. Another puck moving defenseman, preferably two
The Rangers were pretty brutal in transition last year, especially when Adam Fox wasn’t on the ice. The one area that Chris Drury has yet to adjust is on defense, as the Rangers need guys that can move the puck up the ice and transition to offense seamlessly. The position has evolved to need more than just one-dimensional defense only players. and it’s something that has plagued the Rangers for a while.
Scott Morrow is likely going to get a look next season, but he’s the only “true” puck mover in the system. Drew Fortescue and Matthew Robertson are fine skaters and could hopefully develop into guys that can make a good first pass, but that has yet to be determined. Jackson Dorrington is a wild card, but he doesn’t really have this skill set.
Assuming Sullivan is willing to deal with Morrow’s growing pains in his own end, then the Rangers probably need one more puck moving defenseman to be truly set. It’s worth noting that puck mover doesn’t mean one-dimensional offensive player either. Of the Rangers needs this offseason, this is the one that can likely be filled internally with prospects, but there’s no guarantee.
Unless the Rangers win the draft lottery, they can address this need in the draft with Chase Reid, Carson Carels, or Alberts Smits. Keaton Verhoeff doesn’t fit this profile.
4. Avoid bad UFA contracts
This is a cheating a bit, but one of the biggest Rangers needs this offseason is to simply avoid bad contracts. Alex Tuch is projected to get 7 years and 8 figures at 30 years old. Darren Raddysh is set to get over $5 million long term after a contract year for the ages. Rasmus Andersson is likely getting 7 years and close to $9 million a year. These are all contracts the Rangers really can’t afford right now.
It’s one thing to take on a risky contract on a player like Mason McTavish. It’s another to take on a risky contract on a player about to turn 30 years old.
Keep cap space flexible.
5. Their own 2027 2nd round pick
The Rangers have a unique opportunity to capitalize on cap strapped teams with big RFAs. Jason Robertson naturally comes to mind, as the strategy would be to come in just under the cutoff for 4 first round picks (2 1sts, a 2nd, and a 3rd). Last year that cutoff was $11.7 million. The problem is the Rangers don’t have their 2027 2nd round pick, it belongs to Pittsburgh in the Reilly Smith trade.
Of all the Rangers needs this offseason, this is likely low on the list as it would only be truly needed for an offer sheet. Chris Drury hasn’t shown the creativity or willingness to dive into the RFA market yet. Robertson would be worth it if there’s truly a stalemate with Dallas.