The New York Rangers had a tough 2025-26 season. After entering the season with the hope of bouncing back, the Rangers instead took another step in the wrong direction. This is because the Rangers finished the season with a 34-39-9 record and at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with 77 points.
Due to their struggles, Rangers general manager Chris Drury wrote a letter to the team’s fans announcing that the Blueshirts were beginning a retool. In the end, Drury’s words certainly came true, as the Rangers traded away Artemi Panarin, Carson Soucy, Sam Carrick, and Brennan Othmann this season.
Yet, it is important to note that the Rangers are not in a rebuild. Due to this, it would not be surprising in the slightest if Drury looks to upgrade the team’s roster with players that would help them both in the present and in the future.
Because of this, let’s take a look at three NHL trade candidates who the Rangers should strongly consider targeting during the offseason.
Brady Tkachuk Would Give the Rangers a New Star Forward to Build Around
When it comes to trade candidates around the NHL, Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk stands out as the perfect target for the Rangers. Since trading away Panarin, it is no secret that the Rangers need a new star winger. Bringing in a power forward like Tkachuk would provide the Rangers with just that.
Questions about Tkachuk’s future in Ottawa have been coming up for a while, and they are only picking up now that the Senators’ playoff run is over. Due to this, the Rangers would be incredibly wise to kick tires on Tkachuk this summer. If they landed him, he would be a perfect fit on their first line and on both their power play and penalty kill.
In 60 games this season for the Senators, Tkachuk had 22 goals, 37 assists, 59 points, and 162 hits. With numbers like these, he would be a major pickup for the Rangers.
Matthew Knies Would Be a Perfect Young Forward for the Rangers to Acquire
Another forward who would make a lot of sense for the Rangers to target this summer is Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies. With Knies being a 23-year-old proven top-six winger signed until the end of the 2030-31 season, he would be a perfect player for the retooling Rangers to add to their roster.
Like Tkachuk, Knies would give the Rangers a much-needed power forward in their top six to work with. In 79 games during this season with the Maple Leafs, the 2021 second-round pick had 23 goals, 43 assists, 66 points, and 152 hits.
Pavel Mintyukov Would Give the Rangers A Promising Young Defenseman
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Pavel Mintyukov could be a good young player for the Rangers to take a chance on. The 22-year-old defenseman entered the rumor mill earlier this season when he was not getting consistent playing time with the Ducks. Thus, it could make sense for the Rangers to target him this summer.
It is no secret that the Rangers need a top-four left-shot defenseman after trading K’Andre Miller last offseason. Mintyukov has the potential to become just that, so the 2022 tenth-overall pick should be on New York’s radar. In 73 games this season, he had eight goals and 22 points.
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