The Long Road Back: How the Rangers Are Positioning for the 2026 NHL Draft

The time for tanking is upon the New York Rangers, and it's been working quite well. Now that Artemi Panarin seems to have played his last game, Rangers fans are in for a rough next few months. As fans prepare to say goodbye to a few favorites, it's time to look toward the youngsters for this team's future. With a record of 2-8-0 in their last ten games, the goal as of now for the Blueshirts seems to be to keep losing, and for good reason, too. From what fans have seen from the Blueshirts these last few weeks, it shouldn't take quite long for this team to sink further down in the standings. With quite a few prospects standing out in the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft, the New York Rangers may just have a chance to be the favorites for the first pick.

While the first overall pick would be the best way to start this retool off, the Rangers are still in a decent spot this coming offseason. As of now, the Rangers have two 2026 first-round picks and will most definitely have a third by the time the Panarin trade is a done deal. Apart from the Panarin trade, New York should be in pretty decent shape with draft picks once more trades are made along the line. A couple more trades, and New York can bring in top draft prospects, hoping they pan out. Though the 2026 draft may be stacked, it wouldn't be a bad idea to look more into the 2027 draft with these trades. With how things are going with the Rangers right now, fans should like New York's chances when it comes to this year's first overall pick, but the question remains whether they can develop that pick properly this time.

There's no doubt that most New York fans have had enough of their 2020 first overall pick, and there's been much doubt that this team can develop another. As Chris Drury continues not have most Rangers fans' trust at the moment, he's under quite a lot of pressure with this retool. Ranked 28th overall as of today, there's no doubt this team has looked the worst in the league since the start of the year, leaving most fans confident this team may just finish the season in dead last. If this retool involves this season's draft pick, no matter how high, they'll need the next few seasons to develop, meaning there's no rush to return to the postseason. If Drury is indeed serious about this rebuild, and plenty have enough patience, New York should very well be favored in this coming draft, perhaps a few more down the line as well. With plenty of time remaining until the 2026 NHL Draft, New York fans can only hope each loss continues to go the Rangers' way for the stacked draft coming up.