2026 NHL Draft Combine Highlights Rangers Trade Talk and Top Prospect Performances

The 2026 NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo hosted league officials, agents and prospects, sparking speculation about roster moves. New York Rangers GM Chris Drury was reported to be monitoring Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, though the Rangers were not initially on his list. Discussions also centered on the trade market for centers like Vincent Trocheck and potential acquisitions such as Buffalo’s Bowen Byram or Alex Tuch.

Combine testing revealed that top North American prospect Gavin McKenna topped the VO₂ Max aerobic fitness test and placed among the best in four other categories. Other standout performers included Caleb Malhotra and Keaton Verhoeff in pro‑agility, Viggo Bjjorck with 16 pull‑ups, and Ilia Morozov, who recorded top‑10 marks in six events and posted the fifth‑best overall score in combine history.