The New York Rangers currently sit fifth in the first-round pecking order of the 2026 NHL Draft. That spot puts the Blueshirts in a position to land a high-end prospect, one that could turbocharge the retool/rebuild.
But what if the Rangers could move up to select a generational talent? No, we’re not talking about first-overall. We’re talking about moving up to second.
Chatter has gone around the league that the San Jose Sharks, who currently hold the second-overall pick, could be shopping their selection. If the Rangers were able to entice the Sharks to make the deal, the move could put the Rangers in a position to take Ivar Stenberg.
That assumption is based on the supposition that the Toronto Maple Leafs will take Gavin McKenna first overall.
The idea of landing Stenberg is one that should excite Rangers fans. He’s considered the best two-way forward in the draft. While he may not become a 100-point scorer, Stenberg has the potential to become a fantastic top-line winger who’s drawn comparisons to Aleksander Barkov.
Yes, Barkov is a center. But Stenberg’s scoring ability and defensive reliability make him a winger version of Barkov. And that’s something that the Rangers could certainly use.
The biggest concern might be finding a center to play with him. But assuming the Rangers hold onto Vincent Trocheck, Stenberg playing with the 33-year-old wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world.
Sharks and Rangers could be natural trade partners
One of the assessments behind the possibility of the Sharks trading their pick lies in the need for a defenseman. San Jose has a surplus of talented forwards. But they lack a high-end blueliner with top-pairing potential.
That said, the Sharks could find value in trading down to #5, where they could take a defenseman like Chase Reid or Carson Carels. The only question would be what the Blueshirts would have to give up to close the deal.
Perhaps the Rangers could use the other first-round pick they hold this season to entice the Sharks to trade down. It might take a combination of picks. The Rangers also have three third-rounders.
So, the #5 pick, plus the 26th and a third-rounder, could get the job done. The Sharks get their defenseman, and the Rangers get a shot at Stenberg.
Then again, if the Maple Leafs surprise the field and take Stenberg instead of McKenna, the Rangers would have a wonderful opportunity to take a pure goal-scorer like McKenna.
That’s why the idea of getting that second-overall pick should be something that Rangers fans should keep an eye out for.
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