If the New York Rangers are truly aiming to hoist the Stanley Cup in 2026—or beyond—they should aggressively pursue three high-impact free agents this summer. These target acquisitions would shore up key needs, elevate playoff depth, and complement the core on the ice. Let’s break down the strategic fit, contract considerations, and long-term value of each:
Game-changer: Coming off a 102-point season, Marner is arguably the top UFA in 2025, renowned for elite playmaking, two-way reliability, and special teams impact
Ranger-style fit: His high-IQ puck movement and intelligence mesh well with New York’s puck-possession, high-tempo system.
Projected to command $13–14M AAV on a 7–8 year deal
Rangers project to have ~$18M in cap space after shedding Panarin’s contract post-2025–26 , but Marner would still take a major chunk.
Upside: A true first-line talent who can tilt games offensively and intellectually.
Downside: Long-term, big-money deal means risk if his production dips; playoff scrutiny still lingers from past runs.
Balanced anchor: A top pairing right-shot D with shutdown ability and offensive contributions, coming off a championship with Florida ).
Rangers could use more right-side defensive stability, especially behind Fox.
Estimated to fetch $7–8M AAV on a 6–7 year deal
Upside: Solidifies the defensive backend with high-level play.
Top-tier talent: A perennial 1 PPG performer, multi-dimensional on the ice Although traded mid-season, he’ll be a coveted unrestricted FA in 2025 as Carolina must decide his contract Expect AAV of $9–10M over 7–8 years
Upside: Instant sky-high top-six scoring injection.
Downside: Massive cap hit and term raises potential long-term concerns; also comes with luxury tax implications.
Rangers enter free agency with limited space (~$14M now) , rising post-2025–26.
Priorities should include re-signing RFAs like Shesterkin and Cuylle.
Strategic timing: delay Marner/Rantanen until cap relief arrives, while securing Ekblad early if feasible.
Shesterkin in net • Ekblad anchors the right side • Rantanen joins Panarin/Hayes/Andersson wingers • Marner becomes top-line cogs.
This setup addresses depth, scoring, defense, and playmaking concurrently.
If Rangers can’t land these big names, second-tier targets include:
Sam Bennett: gritty center who brings playoff grit ($6–7M AAV)
Patrick Kane: elite veteran presence and elite power-play weapon ($3–4M AAV) (
Brock Boeser: goal-scorer wing, though skating limitations exist ($8M AAV over longer term) (Acquire Ekblad early, locking down the right-side defensive foundation.
Time Marner and Rantanen post-2025–26 cap relief and after re-signing key RFAs.
Maintain cap discipline—this approach balances superstar additions and future flexibility.
Long-term contracts: Could backfire if production dips.
Cap constraints: Risk of being hamstrung in future trade markets or extensions.
Playoff fit: Stars don’t always guarantee Cup success—supporting cast, health, and system matter too.
To truly “go for it”, the Rangers should make a bold free-agent wave in 2025, led by Ekblad, Marner, and Rantanen. It’s not easy or cheap—but in the rising cap era, those willing to invest smartly will position themselves for deep playoff runs. New York has the asset base; it’s about judicious timing, cap maneuvering, and constructing a winning roster core.
