The New York Rangers re-open their 2025-26 season with a 25-game sprint to the end, following the Olympic Games. This is going to be a very interesting couple of weeks, as this franchise is going to take a hard left turn at some point.
With a flurry of moves on the horizon from President and General Manager Chris Drury, one of those moves is a small one, but it could work out in the Blueshirts' favor. Conor Sheary's days as a Ranger are coming to an end.
Let's talk about what role he could have in the next couple of days leading up to the trade deadline.
Beginning of the end
While Sheary’s tenure on Broadway began with the promise of championship pedigree, the reality of the season has shifted the narrative from veteran depth to trade deadline chip. Joining the club on a league-minimum deal, the 33-year-old winger brought two Stanley Cup rings and a wealth of playoff experience to a team with high aspirations. However, with just one goal and eight assists through 37 games, it has become clear that Father Time and an underwhelming Rangers roster have struggled to find a productive rhythm.
Playoff experience is highest selling point
A contender currently in the playoff hunt or jockeying for a wild card spot could easily view Sheary as a savvy buy low addition. He has run the postseason gauntlet and understands how to provide reliable, high-leverage minutes from the bottom of a lineup. While the chemistry never quite materialized on Broadway, that doesn't mean his utility has evaporated for a team with the right structure.
Chris Drury should be targeting a return slightly better than a fifth-round pick, which feels like a respectable floor for a two-time champion. Teams like Detroit or Dallas, both looking to fortify their depth for a spring run, could easily meet that price. While we wait to see exactly what Drury can squeeze out of the market, it is becoming increasingly clear that Sheary’s days in a Rangers sweater are numbered.
Interestingly, Sheary is returning to the lineup this Thursday, sliding onto the third line and the second power-play unit. This feels like a classic showcase move giving him prime offensive minutes to boost his value rather than burying him on the fourth line. Whether it's a strategic ploy or a genuine lineup shift, any return Drury can net now will serve the "Letter 2.0" retool better in the long run.