New York Rangers overhaul roster with key signings and trade away first‑round picks

The New York Rangers, coming off two consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance and a last‑place finish in the Eastern Conference, entered the 2026 offseason very active. They signed forward Pavel Dorofeyev from the Vegas Golden Knights to a seven‑year deal after trading two first‑round selections, added veteran winger Oliver Bjorkstrand as a free agent, and bolstered their defense by acquiring Sean Durzi (part of the Trocheck trade) and Marcus Pettersson from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a conditional 2030 first‑round pick.

General manager Chris Drury defended the departure of three first‑round picks, saying the moves target players “at the right age with the right contract” who can help the lineup immediately and in the long term. The Rangers hope the new pieces will lift them into a top‑three spot in the NHL’s Metropolitan Division this season.