Can the New York Rangers Move up from the Fifth Pick in the 2026 NHL Draft?
Following an NHL season most New York Rangers fans would like to forget, all eyes now turn to the 2026 NHL Draft. Since sending out “Letter 2.0” on January 16th, Chris Drury has looked to turn this team around through retooling, and what better place to start than the offseason? In about a month's time, the Rangers will be set up with the fifth overall pick in the draft, a position that was, unfortunately, very much the worst-case scenario. In need of a top prospect to accelerate this Rangers retool, the top five pick may make that quite difficult. Although this offseason draft appears to be loaded, one should never say no to an upgrade. As the Blueshirts decide their choice for fifth overall, they may just be able to move up a little higher.
Apart from the approaching draft, the New York Rangers find themselves in a pretty decent position this offseason. They have the money to make a few upgrades, whether through the draft, the trade market, or free agency; they certainly have the ability to make a splash. Unfortunately, while free agency would be the simplest to go, the once-loaded class set this offseason has been extinguished. However, the smaller targets are there; perhaps a single 2026 free agent or two would be beneficial, but there's another option presenting itself. A young star would be nice to obtain, but would a team rather choose the young star or a top prospect?
Reports indicate that a pair of teams currently ahead of the Rangers are willing to consider a potential offer. At pick number four, we have the Chicago Blackhawks, a team that has yet to take the next step, as their top priority remains locking up Connor Bedard. Making the jump all the way to pick number two, the San Jose Sharks find themselves with their third top-three pick in the span of five years. Already having shown a glimpse of their future dominance with Macklin Celebrini, the Sharks haven’t ruled out listening to potential offers, though that offer would need to be something special. After a season like that, the Rangers are in serious need of a top prospect; if the opportunity presents itself to move up, New York certainly can’t refuse.
It’s certain that Gavin McKenna is the obvious top choice, an easy decision for the Toronto Maple Leafs, currently in possession of first overall. Players like Ivar Stenberg and Keaton Verhoeff, a forward and a defenseman, look to be among the better options after McKenna and are prospects the Blueshirts would gladly accept. For Verhoeff, it would certainly be a fresh start in trying to at last establish some better defense in Broadway. However, some help on offense is more likely, and the Rangers are likely to target that area, which is where Stenberg would come in. Luck may not have been with them in this nightmare of a lottery, but the right move may just save them.
Moving up makes the most sense, but it will be anything but easy for New York. It’s difficult enough moving up just one spot to fourth overall, but moving up to second overall is indeed expensive. Fortunately for the Rangers, they do possess the assets to make such a deal, though they’ll certainly need to go all out for a top-three pick. The choice of which pick is completely up to them, though it’s quite a risk moving up to fourth overall and assuming players like Verhoeff and Stenberg will be available. A swap looks to be the best option for this Rangers retool, but can they put together an offer neither Chicago nor San Jose can refuse?
