The New York Rangers enter the 2026–27 season with a reshaped roster after a busy offseason that saw them add scoring punch, bolster their defense, and say goodbye to a key veteran center. The Rangers are looking for a big turnaround after a terrible season. Have they done enough to get back into the playoff race and move up the Metro standings?
Key Additions
Pavel Dorofeyev (LW) – Acquired from Vegas on June 26th in exchange for the No. 26 and No. 92 picks in the 2026 draft and a conditional 2028 first-round pick. The 25-year-old scored 20 goals and 35 points in 71 games last season, bringing speed, skill, and top-six scoring punch. He signed a seven-year, $77 million extension ($11 million AAV).
Sean Durzi (D) – Acquired from Utah on July 1st in exchange for Vincent Trocheck, along with prospect Cole Beaudoin and a 2027 third-round pick. The 27-year-old right-shot defenseman brings puck-moving ability, offensive upside, and top-four minutes.
Marcus Pettersson (D) – Acquired from Vancouver on July 1st for a conditional 2030 first-round pick. The 30-year-old left-shot defenseman brings stability, two-way play, and third-pairing minutes.
Oliver Bjorkstrand (RW) – Signed a one-year deal on July 1. The 31-year-old scored 12 goals and 20 assists in 80 games last season with Tampa Bay, bringing power-play prowess, scoring punch, and middle-six depth. He’s expected to play a third-line role.
Joe Veleno (C) – Signed a one-year deal on July 1. The 26-year-old brings two-way play, versatility, and bottom-six depth, expected to play a fourth-line role.
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Joonas Korpisalo (G) – Acquired from Boston on July 1 in exchange for Kalle Väisänen and a 2028 fourth-round pick. The 32-year-old provides goaltending depth behind Igor Shesterkin, expected to serve as the backup.
Cole Beaudoin (C) – Acquired from Utah in the Trocheck trade. The 20-year-old center brings youth, skill, and AHL depth, expected to compete for a call-up role.
Dennis Cholowski (D) – Signed a one-year deal. The 28-year-old left-shot defenseman brings depth and two-way play, expected to compete for a call-up role.
Glenn Gawdin (C) – Signed a one-year deal. The 29-year-old brings physicality, grit, and bottom-six depth, expected to play a fourth-line role.
Marc Del Gaizo (D) – Signed a one-year deal. The 25-year-old left-shot defenseman brings depth and physicality, expected to compete for a call-up role.
William Trudeau (D) – Acquired from Montreal. The 22-year-old defenseman brings youth and two-way potential, expected to compete for a call-up role.
Key Subtractions
Vincent Trocheck (C) – Traded to Utah on July 1st in the Durzi deal. The 33-year-old scored 16 goals and 37 assists in 67 games last season, a significant loss of veteran depth, two-way play, and middle-six scoring.
Will Borgen (D) – Traded to Boston on July 1st for a 2027 second-round pick and a conditional 2028 third. The 29-year-old right-shot defenseman had 15 points in 75 games last season, a notable loss of stability and physicality on the right side.
Jonathan Quick (G) – Retired after last season. The 40-year-old had a 3.09 GAA and .891 save percentage in 25 games, a significant loss of veteran goaltending depth and playoff experience.
Conor Sheary (LW) – Signed a one-year deal with Buffalo on July 1. The 34-year-old had 10 goals and 18 points in 68 games, removing veteran depth and scoring from the bottom six.
Jonny Brodzinski (C) – Signed a one-year deal with Washington on July 1. The 33-year-old had 10 goals and 18 points in 68 games, a loss of veteran depth and two-way play.
Adam Edstrom (C) – Traded to Nashville on June 27th for a 2026 fifth-round pick and Massimo Rizzo. The 23-year-old center had depth value but was deemed expendable.
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Brett Berard (LW) – Traded to Montreal. The 23-year-old left-wing had NHL potential but was deemed expendable.
Brendan Brisson (C) – Departed in free agency. The 24-year-old center had depth value but was moved for future assets.
Connor Mackey (D) – Departed in free agency. The 29-year-old right-shot defenseman had depth value but was deemed expendable.
Casey Fitzgerald (D) – Signed with Florida. The 29-year-old right-shot defenseman had depth value but was deemed expendable.
Trey Fix-Wolansky (RW) – Signed with Vancouver. The 27-year-old right-wing had depth value but was deemed expendable.
Impact on 2026–27
The Rangers’ offseason moves signal a clear push toward competitiveness. Dorofeyev adds elite scoring and speed to the top six, while Durzi and Pettersson bolster the defense. The departures of Trocheck, Borgen, and Quick remove veteran presence and depth, but the additions should push New York up the standings. Expect the Rangers to be in the playoff hunt, with a deeper, more balanced lineup pushing for playoff run.
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Salary Cap Situation
Projected cap hit – $102,447,024
Roster – 23/23
Projected cap space – $1,552,976
Deadline cap space – $7,173,270
New York Rangers Depth Chart
New York Rangers Depth Chart from PuckPedia.com – Aug. 26th
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Top New York Rangers prospects
| Dan Rosen NHL.com Aug. 19th, 2026 |
Steven Ellis Daily Faceoff July 31st, 2026 |
McKeen’s Hockey May 2nd, 2026 |
Scott Wheeler The Athletic Mar. 23rd, 2026 |
|
| 1 | Alberts Smits (D) | Alberts Smits (LHD) | Gabe Perreault (LW) | Gabe Perreault (LW/RW) |
| 2 | Cole Beaudoin (F) | Liam Greentree (LW/RW) | Scott Morrow (RHD) | Liam Greentree (LW/RW) |
| 3 | Liam Greentree (F) | Cole Beaudoin (C) | Liam Greentree (LW/RW) | Malcolm Spence (LW) |
| 4 | E.J. Emery (D) | Scott Morrow (RHD) | EJ Emery (RHD) | EJ Emery (RHD) |
| 5 | Malcolm Spence (F) | Malcolm Spence (LW) | Dylan Roobroeck (C) | Noah Laba (C) |
| 6 | Drew Fortescue (LHD) | Drew Fortescue (LHD) | Dylan Garand (G) | |
| 7 | EJ Emery (RHD) | Malcolm Spence (LW) | Adam Sýkora (LW) | |
| 8 | Tomas Chrenko (C) | Nathan Aspinall (LW/RW) | Nathan Aspinall (LW/RW) | |
| 9 | Ben Bacbeath (LHD) | Aidan Thompson (LW) | Jaroslav Chmelar (LW/RW) | |
| 10 | Dylan Garand (G) | Jacob Battaglia (RW) | Dylan Roobroeck (C) |
Read more on the top New York Rangers prospects heading into the 2026-27 season.
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