How Rangers plan to replace depth forwards who left in free agency
The New York Rangers made major additions on the first day of the League year Wednesday, but they also lost some depth from the 2025-26 roster.
Veteran forwards Conor Sheary and Jonny Brodzinski each signed a one-year contract elsewhere in free agency. Sheary signed with the Buffalo Sabres after one season with the Rangers; Brodzinski joined the division rival Washington Capitals following six seasons in the Rangers organization, the past three exclusively with the big club in the NHL.
Sheary had seven goals and 18 points in 62 games last season, playing up and down the lineup, though primarily in the bottom-six. Sheary’s new deal reunites him with the Sabres, where he played from 2018-20 after spending the first three years of his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins — helping them win the Stanley Cup in 2016 and 2017.
Brodzinski scored six goals and totaled 16 points in 55 games for New York in 2025-26.
Rangers lose depth forwards Jonny Brodzinski, Conor Sheary
After playing just 62 games the prior two seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Sheary turned a PTO in training camp with the Rangers into an NHL contract last fall.
Much to the fans chagrin, Sheary found himself averaging about 14 minutes TOI and spen too much time in the middle-six and on the power play. That is until he landed on long-term injured reserve because of a knee injury in January and February.
Once healthy, Sheary scored six of his seven goals after the Olympic break, finding chemistry with linemates Tye Kartye and Rangers captain J.T. Miller.
Sheary turned 34 in June and is expected to play a similar bottom-six role with the Sabres. He may become more of a fourth-line or 13th forward in Buffalo, since it had 109 points and finished first in the Atlantic Division last season.
Like Sheary, Brodzinski likely fills a 13th forward role with the Capitals. But that’s one the soon-to-be 33-year-old is used to and filled capably in New York. Brodzinski played 207 NHL games with the Rangers, and 113 with Hartford of the AHL after joining the the Blueshirts following two seasons with the Los Angeles Kings and one with the San Jose Sharks in 2019-20.
Brodzinski was the captain in Hartford before becoming the 13th forward at the NHL level. Like Sheary, he can play up and down the lineup as needed, even top-six in limited stretches.
How Rangers will replace Jonny Brodzinski and Conor Sheary
The Rangers signed Oliver Bjorkstrand to fill a middle-six role among the forward group on Wednesday. That deal is for one year, as is the one they inked Joe Veleno to. Veleno’s expected to center the fourth line next season.
Youngsters like Jaroslav Chmelar, Adam Sykora, and Matt Rempe will compete for for roster spots in training camp. And Liam Greentree will be among the prospects getting a long look.
However, having a young player fill a 13th forward role isn’t ideal. That could lead to New York seeking another veteran addition, like Sheary, ahead of training camp, or having returning vet Taylor Raddysh fill that role.
