The New York Rangers watched their plan to sign a superstar forward this summer implode before the start of the 2025-26 season. That caused them to pivot to the trade market to bring in the likes of Pavel Dorofeyev, Sean Durzi, and Marcus Pettersson. These were moves that raised the floor in hopes they can escape out of the basement of the Eastern Conference and back into playoff position.
If that were to happen, the Rangers would be in a good position entering next offseason. If not, it does add urgency for general manager Chris Drury to try and bring in a difference maker in the offseason. The free agency class this year got depleted to nothing. Now, it looks like next summer's free agency class is turning to dust in terms of star players available.
On Tuesday, the Rangers and the NHL world found out that winger Drake Batherson, who was set to hit free agency after this upcoming season, agreed to terms with the Ottawa Senators on a long-term contract extension. The deal is for eight years, and pays him an annual salary of $10.75 million.
With that, the Rangers must prepare for another summer without a star player being available in the open market.
There mey be no superstar available for Rangers in next summer's free agency class
Before Batherson, it became evident that there would be no feasible options for the Rangers in free agency.
Last week, the NHL world saw that Mark Stone, set to hit free agency, signed a two-year, $18 million contract extension with the Vegas Golden Knights. While he did hav ethe name power, it seemed unlikely Stone would want to leave a team expected to contend for the Stanley Cup for the foreseeable future.
Nikita Kucherov, who just won the Hart Trophy this past season, will be a name that will garner attention. But, would the Lightning even let him leave? It just seems hard to believe they would allow that to happen, especially as he's shown no sign of slowing down in his mid-30s.
Then, there's Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars. He was a restricted free agent this offseason and the Stars seemed willing to trade him since contract talks went nowhere. Robertson reportedly rejecrted trades to the St. Louis Blues and Seattle Kraken, before ultimately settling on a one-year deal. That allows him to hit unrestricted free agency next summer, but it's unknown if he's going to actually field offers or decide to stay with the Stars.
Alex DeBrincat might be an option, but he has openly said that he wants to re-sign with the Detroit Red Wings. The thing is, the Red Wings have yet to hire a new head of hockey operations, and it doesn't appear to bethe
The trade block may have to be the route for Rangers again next summer
Beyond Kucherov, Robertson, and DeBrincat, there aren't many options available for the Rangers. It could lead them to the trade block again if they want to try and bring in a disgruntled star.
The two names worth keeping an eye on are, of course, Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews. lThose two players will be under contract for one more season after the upcoming one, and both have shown to be disgruntled with their current teams. That would be the dream scenario for Drury and the Rangers. But, the Rangers need to show that they are heading in the right direction, which is towards the playoffs. If not, they'll miss out on them if they do demand out of Toronto and Edmonton, much like they did with Brady Tkachuk.
The pressure is on for the Rangers. The ideal scenario for them, however, is that their current core of players turns out to be one of their better rosters in recent memory. That way, they can become a destination for the stars again.
Banking on a player hitting free agency to sign them has not become a feasible option for the Rangers like it used to. Now that Batherson is off the board, the Rangers need to hope that their moves this offseason pan out. All of them.
Add us as a preferred source on Google