The NHL Draft Combine is a crucial event for teams, especially for the New York Rangers, who are looking to rebuild their roster after a disappointing season. With the No. 5 pick in the first round, the Rangers have the opportunity to make a significant impact on their future. One player who has been generating buzz is Dylan Larkin, a 29-year-old center who recently requested a trade from the Detroit Red Wings. While the Rangers may not be on Larkin's initial list of desired teams, they could still make a compelling offer to see if he would be receptive to a move.
However, there are several hurdles to overcome. The Rangers might struggle to match other teams' offers, especially if they want to retain depth. Additionally, Larkin's availability could shift the potential return for the Rangers, as Vincent Trocheck, the current top center on the trade market, may no longer be the primary target. If the Red Wings move Larkin and don't receive a top-six center in return, they might look at Trocheck, which would likely require the Rangers to receive a quality young player, a pick, or a combination of both.
The Rangers should also keep an eye on in-state help, such as Alex Tuch, who is inching toward free agency and could provide wing scoring. However, Buffalo's salary cap constraints might lead to other players becoming available. Bowen Byram, a young defenseman with puck-moving abilities, is extension-eligible and could emerge as a trade candidate. The Sabres could still pay him without disrupting their fragile 2026-27 payroll, but his interests and market value will play a significant role.
Other pending unrestricted free agents, such as Bobby McMann and Beck Malenstyn, could also be worth considering for the Rangers. Both players have ample teams interested and could provide speed on the wing. McMann had a career-high 29 goals last year, while Malenstyn set a Sabres franchise record in hits this season. The Rangers have plenty of cap space, so fitting in depth contracts won't be an issue.
In other news, the Rangers are expected to sign Jonny Brodzinski elsewhere after six seasons with the team. He was a depth forward who shifted between the No. 13 forward role and the bottom-six. Negotiations with restricted free agent Braden Schneider have not yet begun, and the Rangers face a decision on whether they want to keep him long-term. The team is also in the process of retooling their roster, which could impact trade possibilities.
Looking ahead to the 2026 NHL Draft, the Rangers will need to decide how many defensemen will go in the top four. If it's two, a top forward prospect like center Caleb Malhotra could fall to No. 5. If only one defenseman is taken in the top five, the Rangers will likely choose between Chase Reid, Keaton Verhoeff, Carson Carels, and Alberts Šmits. The team hasn't yet hired an AHL coach, but that is expected to change soon.
During the combine interviews, draft prospects faced an interesting test where they had to check off as many numbers in order as they could in 30 seconds. The task proved to be more challenging than expected, with some players struggling to find specific numbers. However, the experience was seen as fun and exciting by the prospects, who appreciated the unique nature of the test.
