The NHL has announced that the Rangers will have the following picks in this Friday and Saturday’s NHL Draft:
First Round: Pick 12*- Second Round: Pick 43
- Third Round: Pick 70** (From Seattle), Pick 89*** (From Anaheim)
- Fourth Round: Pick 111
- Fifth Round: Pick 139
- Sixth Round: Pick 166 (From Seattle), Pick 171
- Seventh Round: Pick 203,
*The Rangers have to decide by Wednesday at 7PM whether they will transfer this pick or next years unprotected first round pick to Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh acquired the pick from Vancouver after the Rangers traded a top-13 protected first round pick for JT Miller.
**As part of the Kaapo Kakko trade.
**As part of the Chris Kreider trade.
Adam Rotter: We’ll see what happens with Pick 12 and whether they keep it, but if they do, four picks in the first 89 isn’t a bad way for the Rangers to start re-stocking their farm system. That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Rangers kept Pick 12 and either used it in a trade or used it with someone, maybe K’Andre Miller, to either move into the top-5 if possible or as part of a big trade that nets the Rangers someone that could be a core piece. The Rangers are not intending to miss the playoffs again and so this could be a chance either staying at 12 or using 12 to move up to potentially land a big prospect. That said, they were not intending to miss the playoffs this year and after righting the ship and trading for JT Miller, shouldn’t have. There is risk in missing the playoffs again next year and giving Pittsburgh two cracks at drafting Gavin McKenna and giving the Pens someone who can eventually take over for Sidney Crosby.
Giving Pittsburgh #12 this year does leave the Rangers with their own pick if they do miss the playoffs but also an asset they could use at the trade deadline if they have truly put this past season behind them and they are back at the top of the Metro and Eastern Conference. There is also the possibility though highly unlikely event that keeping the 2026 pick allows them to use it as part of an offer sheet. They could also keep the 2026 pick and trade it for someone who could potentially be a core player but give it conditions or protections that guard against them bottoming out or landing a top pick next season.