The New York Rangers have a difficult decision on their hands.
As part of the J.T. Miller trade, the Rangers either have to give up their first-round pick in 2025 or 2026.
It will be given to the Pittsburgh Penguins due to a separate trade between the Vancouver Canucks and Penguins.
The Rangers hold the 12th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, so should the team hold the pick or give it up in order to keep their 2026 selection?
One NHL insider believes it is too much of a risk to give up next year’s draft pick despite expectations of a comeback next season.
“They have until 48 hours before the draft begins to decide whether or not they want to convey that pick, essentially to Pittsburgh,” NHL insider Frank Seravalli said. “I would do it solely because I think if things do go sideways next year, which I think they’re primed for a bounce back, but let’s just say on the off chance that it does go sideways, you definitely don’t want to have your team win the lottery, and it’s the Pittsburgh Penguins that hold a 2026 unprotected first-round pick, which is one of the huge boons of the deal.”
Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury has not indicated on what direction he plans on going regarding this decision.
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