The New York Rangers have been making changes for the past several months, and they will continue that change in the coming stretch of weeks that includes the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, and free agency which officially opens on July 1, 2025. The Rangers are coming off a disappointing season, and the addition of Mike Sullivan as head coach sends a clear message that the team is serious about returning to elite contender status.
The current roster is a talented bunch, although it does feature some significant holes. There is a chance these holes can be filled by youngsters in the system, or veterans that get promoted into bigger roles, but the Rangers will need to make some signings before next season begins. There are limits to what can be done, but here are five realistic targets for the Rangers as they seek to reach another level in 2025-26.
5. Adam Gaudette
The Rangers' center depth is something very interesting, because on paper you'd think they have enough options. J.T. Miller is expected to be the No. 1 center, Vincent Trocheck is expected to be the No. 2 center, and after that there's a bunch of players who will likely contend for the No. 3 and No. 4 position. Many of the players already under contract are best suited for fourth line duty, and if they don't add a player that means someone will be playing above their ability. There is always the chance Mika Zibanejad slots back to center from the wing, but that wouldn't be a great idea considering how he ended the season.
That brings us to Adam Gaudette, a player who enjoyed a career with the Ottawa Senators scoring 19 goals and 26 points averaging 10:25 per game. It was a very lucky year, and the odds of Gaudette shooting 21.1% again are extremely low. That said, the Rangers have an affinity for former NCAA standouts, and given that the team just stocked their bench with a bunch of coaches with ties to Boston, it wouldn't be a shocker if they attempt to land the Braintree, Massachusetts native. This would be a move to increase the team's floor and overall depth. It would also be a low-risk way of trying to see if he can repeat the success of last season.
4. Ryan Donato
Donato had an amazing year for the Chicago Blackhawks in which he scored 31 goals and added 31 assists for 62 points in 80 games whole skating 16:19 a night. He was one of the main points of attack for Chicago, and he spent most of the season skating with Connor Bedard which certainly helped boost his points total. That said, he's another former NCAA standout from Boston, and fits the vibe of players the team has sought to acquire in recent years. There will likely be a team that looks to overpay Donato to play a larger role, but he could be a nice addition to the team that could slide up and down the lineup.
3. Dmitry Orlov
The Rangers are in dire need of a top-end defenseman for the left side, and Orlov is a player they are familiar with from his time with the Washington Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes. He is coming off a deal that paid him $7.75 million a season, and at age 34 brings a ton of experience to the table. For the past four seasons Orlov has posted respectable underlying numbers, and it suggests that he's not just one of those players who gets a boost from Carolina's puck possession system.
This year he had a slash line which included a 50.24 GF%, a 59.66 CF%, and a 54.96 xGF%. The year prior those numbers were 54.81%, 60.71%, and 57.52%. K'Andre Miller is a player that is rumored to be available, and if the Rangers are willing to trade him it would suggest they are confident they can replace him in free agency. Orlov is a player who could be a better stylistic fit, and would help take some pressure off Adam Fox.