What’s next for Rangers after Hurricanes win Cup, busy offseason begins
For the 32nd consecutive season, the New York Rangers didn’t win the Stanley Cup. And for the first time since 2018, the new reigning champ is a division rival of the Rangers, after the Carolina Hurricanes knocked off the Vegas Golden Knights in six games to win the best-of-7 Stanley Cup Final.
As if that doesn’t irk the Blueshirts enough, how about that they traded defenseman K’Andre Miller to the Hurricanes last summer and he immediately played a big part in bringing a second championship to Raleigh.
Though the offseason began in mid-April for the Rangers, who failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second straight year, the League’s offseason officially began Monday, following Carolina’s Cup win the night before brought the curtain down on the 2025-26 campaign.
So, let’s dive into what’s next for the Rangers, as they seek to crack the code and turn things around in their retool this summer.
Trade Market
It was just one year ago — on June 12, 2025 — that the Rangers traded Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks. Will general manager Chris Drury pull off another big move this June, perhaps during the NHL Draft, or even before, like with the Kreider deal? Could happen.
That’s because Vincent Trocheck remains on the trade market, likely the second most desirable available center behind Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin. If the Rangers can land a young NHL forward, along with an NHL-ready prospect or two, and/or a significant draft pick, there’s a good chance that Trocheck, who’s 33, will be sacrificed for the greater future good.
Of course, a Trocheck trade — or any trade for that matter — need not be completed in June. It could happen in July, too, though less likely in August. But the earlier the better, for both the team and player.
Keep an eye on Braden Schneider, as well. Barring something very surprising, it’s hard to imagine the Rangers trading a key lineup regular other than Trocheck or Schneider. However, well-connected LA Kings reporter John Hover floated a possible Vladislav Gavrikov trade rumor recently, leaning into the top-pair defenseman being disillusioned with the Rangers. Though it’s extremely difficult to imagine the Rangers moving on from Gavrikov, unless absolutely forced to do so.
Buyout Window
NHL teams can buy out player contracts beginning 48 hours after the end of the Stanley Cup Final through June 30. If a player’s contract is bought out, he receives buy-out compensation and becomes an unrestricted free agent.
None of this should be of concern for the Rangers, who do not have a buyout candidate under contract, nor much interest in players like Brendan Gallagher of the Montreal Canadiens, who could become free agents if turned loose by their current teams.
NHL Draft
The 2026 NHL Draft takes place June 26-27 in Buffalo, though it’s decentralized draft again, so team executives will be back in their offices making decisions.
This is a massively important draft for the Rangers. They have 11 picks and a chance to restock a shallow prospects pipeline in the organization. They have two picks in the first round, including No. 5 overall after falling two spots in the NHL Draft Lottery. The Rangers also own the Dallas Stars’ first-rounder (No. 26 overall), part of the Miller trade with Carolina last summer. Seven of their 11 picks are in the first three rounds of the draft.
The Rangers must nail their No. 5 overall selection, simple as that. Too many times they failed to land a difference maker with a lottery pick in the past decade. Drury and Co. cannot afford to do that again. And the rest of their picks are important, too. The more darts you throw at the board, better chances of hitting — or coming close to — the bullseye.
Let’s see if one or some of those picks gets included in a trade or two, as well. Drury has lots of options.
RFA Qualifying Offers
In order to retain rights to restricted free agents, NHL teams must make qualifying offers by June 29 at 5 p.m. ET. The most important RFA on the Rangers roster is Schneider. He has arbitration rights and is two years removed from becoming an unrestricted free agent. The 24-year-old is in a somewhat similar spot as Miller a year ago, and we know how Drury handled that situation. He opted against making a long-term commitment to Miller, traded him to the Hurricanes, and then signed Gavrikov, a veteran free agent.
The difference this summer is that the Rangers aren’t pressed up against the salary cap, nor have an obvious replacement should Schneider be moved. But this is a crucial decision for the Rangers.
Other notable Rangers RFAs are defensemen Scott Morrow and Vincent Iorio, goalie Dylan Garand, and forward Brett Berard. Morrow and Garand (who has arbitration rights) will receive qualifying offers. Let’s see about Iorio and Berard (arbitration eligible), neither of whom established himself in the NHL under coach Mike Sullivan, but could be retained as inexpensive depth options.
NHL Free Agency
The Rangers are a projected $26.6 million under the 2026-27 salary cap. So, Drury has money to burn on the free-agent market if he wants to do so. The problem here is that what once appeared to be an incredible UFA Class in 2026 dried up when superstars like Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Kirill Kaprizov, Martin Necas, Kyle Connor, and even old friend Artemi Panarin re-upped with their current teams.
It’s hard to fathom Drury will dive into the deep end of the free-agent pool to overpay for the likes of Alex Tuch or Darren Raddysh. But the Rangers should target younger, more affordable options if they believe in a player’s future development, and that includes minor league free agents. Expect them to sign a veteran goalie to battle Garand for the right to back up Igor Shesterkin next season.
As far as their own UFAs, it’s more than likely that forwards Jonny Brodzinski and Conor Sheary played their final games with the Rangers. However, Hartford Wolf Pack forward Trey Fix-Wolansky, and defensemen Connor Mackey and Casey Fitzgerald, could return on two-way deals.
Arbitration Hearings
Eligible restricted free agents may file for arbitration by July 5, and hearings will be held July 20 – Aug. 1. As mentioned above, Schneider is the most important arbitration eligible player the Rangers have. However, it’s more likely he’ll either sign a bridge contract or a long-term deal, as opposed to having his contract determined in arbitration. That is if he’s not traded before then.
Keep an eye on Garand. He didn’t sign until late in the summer a year ago, and is full of confidence after a terrific three-start cameo with the Rangers late this past season. This shouldn’t get to arbitration, but it’s worth watching how contract talks go.
