5. Extending Matthew Robertson
Defenseman Matthew Robertson was one of the Rangers' pending restricted free agents heading into the offseason. A former second round pick, Robertson just made his NHL debut this year in two throwaway games (April 14 at Florida, April 17 vs Tampa Bay, no stats other than TOI) at the end of the season.
Robertson recorded a career-high in assists and points (one goal, 24 assists, 25 points) in 60 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack this season. He's played in 250 games with Hartford over four seasons. This extension is an easy A for me; Robertson is one of the best internal options the Rangers have in their franchise as an AHL defenseman whose ready for a call-up when needed.
6. Extending Adam Edstrom
One week after Rempe's extension, Drury matched it in an identical contract (two years, $1.95 million ($975,000 AAV)) for forward Adam Edstrom.
Edstrom appeared in 51 games for the Rangers this past season, up from the 11 he logged during the 2023-24 season, and contributed five goals and four assists for nine points averaging 9:16 per night. However, the fellow big-guy (6'7", 241 pounds) exited a Rangers' loss to the Bruins in February — missing the remainder of the season with a lower-body injury.
I'm glad he's back, but hoping for the best in regards to him coming back at full strength and making an impact on the ice.
7. Trading away K'Andre Miller
Yes, A's all around for this one.
The K'Andre Miller trade ended up turning into a necessity for the Rangers, as the deal helped meet goals in both the short and long term. At the time he was a restricted free agent and the projections for for keeping Miller are quite costly, especially for a team in New York’s financial situation.
Miller's consistency and lack thereof (including 97 giveaways this season) made him easy to part ways with.
8. Acquiring Scott Morrow
In exchange for Miller the Rangers received a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 or 2027 NHL Draft and defenseman Scott Morrow.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman is among those who believed the Rangers got the better end of the deal in Morrow.
“I’m not surprised [the Hurricanes] traded Morrow; they’ve got a lot of D,” Friedman stated on his 32 Thoughts podcast. “He’s young, he’s talented, he’s going to be a really good player. He wasn’t ready for what they do right now. They have a lot of defensemen back there, so I’m not surprised they made that deal.”
While I do see the Miller trade as an overall huge win, Morrow is only 22-years-old and a defenseman with more league experience would've been better — especially after how many young defensemen the Rangers took in this year's draft (but more on that later).