The New York Rangers are staring down a critical deadline, a decision that will reverberate through their organizational pipeline for years to come. With the 2025 NHL Entry Draft just around the corner, scheduled to commence on Friday, June 27th, the Rangers have precisely five days to determine the fate of their first-round selection. This isn’t just a standard draft choice; it’s embroiled in a complex conditional trade that forces General Manager Chris Drury into a high-stakes gamble.
The pick in question is the Rangers’ own first-round selection, which, after the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery on May 5th, landed at No. 12 overall. This pick is part of a conditional trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins, stemming from the blockbuster J.T. Miller deal that also involved the Vancouver Canucks. The condition stipulates that the Rangers must choose whether to send their 2025 first-round pick to the Penguins or defer it to the 2026 NHL Draft, at which point it would become an unprotected first-round pick. The deadline for this crucial decision is 48 hours before the start of the draft, meaning by Wednesday, June 25th, at 7:00 PM ET.
This decision is fraught with implications for the Rangers, a team currently in a critical re-tooling phase after a disappointing 2024-25 season where they missed the playoffs. General Manager Chris Drury has shown a willingness to make bold, often unpopular, moves to reshape the roster, including trading away long-time mainstays like Jacob Trouba and Ryan Lindgren. The fate of the No. 12 pick is another major piece of this ongoing puzzle.
The core of Drury’s conundrum lies in comparing the perceived strength of the 2025 draft class against the anticipated strength of the 2026 class, as well as the Rangers’ projected performance in the upcoming season.
-
The 2025 Draft (Pick No. 12): This year’s draft is widely considered to have a strong top tier, with high-end talent available, but it’s often described as having less depth beyond the top 10 or 15 compared to some previous years. At No. 12, the Rangers would still have access to a very good prospect, likely a player who could become a core piece in a few years. Names like centers James Hagens or Michael Misa, or defenseman Matthew Schaefer, have been in discussions for top picks, though the Rangers would be picking after those names are likely gone. Still, picking at 12th overall would offer a high-quality prospect, potentially a forward or a defenseman, who could address some of the team’s long-term needs. The certainty of picking a specific player from this year’s class is a tangible benefit. Furthermore, taking a player now means they enter the development pipeline sooner, potentially impacting the NHL roster in 2-3 years.
-
The 2026 Draft (Unprotected First-Round Pick): Deferring the pick to 2026 means the Rangers would retain their 2025 No. 12 selection and instead send their unprotected 2026 first-round pick to the Penguins. The “unprotected” aspect is key. If the Rangers were to have another disappointing season in 2025-26 and finish near the bottom of the league, that 2026 pick could become a highly coveted lottery pick, potentially a top-5 or even a No. 1 overall selection. This is the gamble. Is the potential reward of a higher pick in a potentially stronger 2026 draft worth the risk of sacrificing a guaranteed No. 12 pick in 2025?
- Certainty of Talent: At 12th overall, the Rangers are guaranteed to get a high-end prospect. While not a top-5 pick, it’s still a significant asset. They can select a player they’ve scouted extensively and believe will be a future impact player.
- Sooner Impact: A player drafted in 2025 would typically be closer to NHL readiness than one drafted in 2026. Given the Rangers’ desire to re-tool quickly, getting prospects into the system and ready to contribute is crucial.
- Risk Mitigation: The 2026 pick is unprotected. If the Rangers struggle unexpectedly, or if injuries derail their season, that pick could be very high. By sending the 2026 pick, they eliminate that downside risk.
- Confidence in 2025-26 Performance: By choosing to send the 2026 pick, the Rangers would implicitly be signaling confidence in their ability to bounce back in the upcoming season and make the playoffs, thus making their 2026 pick a later-round selection (which would be less valuable to Pittsburgh).
- Deeper 2026 Draft (Perception): Some scouting circles have suggested the 2026 draft class might be deeper with high-end talent. If the Rangers believe this to be true, waiting a year for potentially a better pool of players makes strategic sense.
- Higher Ceiling Gamble: The tantalizing possibility of a very high pick in 2026, if the Rangers were to struggle and finish poorly, is a significant lure. A top-3 pick could net a franchise-altering talent.
- Cap Constraints and Current Roster: The Rangers are navigating a complex cap situation, particularly with Mika Zibanejad’s large contract and the need to re-sign key RFAs like K’Andre Miller and Will Cuylle. Having the flexibility of a future first-round pick, rather than needing to sign a prospect immediately, might appeal to Drury.
- Trade Bait: Retaining the 2025 No. 12 pick provides a valuable trade chip right now. The Rangers could package it with other assets to acquire a more immediate impact player, potentially a veteran defenseman or a top-six forward, rather than waiting for a prospect to develop. The trade for Vladislav Gavrikov, if it happens, might require moving other assets, so having this pick available could be key.
Chris Drury’s tenure as GM has been marked by a willingness to prioritize veteran acquisitions over hoarding draft picks, particularly first-rounders. Historically, the Rangers have not shied away from trading their first-round picks for immediate help. They’ve traded away 14 first-round picks since the draft was implemented in 1963, though some of those deals have been criticized.
Drury’s recent moves, such as the trade of Chris Kreider and the ongoing defensive overhaul, suggest he is determined to reshape the team’s identity and compete for a Stanley Cup sooner rather than later. His previous comments have indicated a desire for players who are “tougher to play against” and exhibit strong leadership. This might lean towards either using the pick on a specific type of prospect in 2025 or using it as trade bait for a more established player.
The fact that the Rangers received the No. 12 pick in the lottery, moving down one spot due to the Utah Hockey Club jumping into the top four, might subtly influence the decision. A top-10 pick might have been an easier “keep” decision.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to a calculated risk assessment by Chris Drury and his management team. Do they trust their scouting and the 2025 draft class enough to take a sure thing at No. 12, or do they believe the potential for a higher, more impactful pick in 2026 (or the immediate trade value of the 2025 pick) outweighs the uncertainty of next season’s performance?
With only five days remaining until the deadline, the Rangers are in the hot seat. The choice they make will not only impact their draft board this week but will set a tone for their rebuilding efforts and future competitiveness for the remainder of the decade.
