Source: Rangers to relinquish their first-round pick in 2025 NHL Draft
Rangers GM Chris Drury. Credit: Getty Images/Steven Ryan
The Rangers have decided to give up their first-round pick in Friday’s NHL Draft, surrendering it to the Pittsburgh Penguins to complete the Jan. 31 trade with Vancouver for J.T. Miller, and retain their first-round pick in 2026, according to an NHL source.
The decision allows the Rangers the flexibility to go after a restricted free agent when the free-agent signing period begins July 1. Should they sign a restricted free agent to an offer sheet worth between $4.68 million and $7.02 million annually, they would be required to surrender their first- and third-round picks in 2026 as compensation if the player’s team decided not to match the offer.
Even if the Rangers don’t sign a restricted free agent that requires their 2026 first-rounder as compensation, holding on to it will give the Rangers a valuable asset they could use at the trade deadline if they consider themselves a Stanley Cup contender and decide to bolster their roster heading into the playoffs.
The Rangers had traded the pick to the Vancouver Canucks as part of the package to acquire Miller, 32, but it was top-13 protected, meaning if it fell within the first 13 selections in the draft, the Rangers would have the option to keep it and surrender their 2026 pick, instead. The pick landed at No. 12 overall.
Vancouver traded the pick to Pittsburgh as part of the deal to acquire defenseman Marcus Pettersson. The Rangers had to inform Pittsburgh within 48 hours of the draft if they intended to keep or surrender the pick.
Rangers preseason schedule
Sept. 21: at New Jersey, 1 p.m.
Sept. 23: vs. Boston 7 p.m.
Sept. 25: vs. Islanders 7 p.m.
Sept. 29: at Islanders, 7 p.m.
Oct. 2: vs. New Jersey 7 p.m.
Oct. 4: at Boston 2 p.m.
Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
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