No doubt Drury keeps the pick IMO, I don't even think it's worth a second of discussion. I think you have to bet on yourself. Making the playoffs in the NHL is something most decent teams do, so I would expect the Rangers to be a playoff team next season. Right there that puts the Rangers pick next season worse than 12. I would trade the pick, assuming you can get very good value. The Rangers are not a 3-years from now team, and the 12th pick most likely will need a few years to add value. Trade the pick for a good return, or part of a larger package for a good return, and let's get back to the top next season.
As for the # 1 pick, it's always nice to get it, but unfortunately for the Isles, there is no super-stud generational talent in this year's draft. Looks like the dman Schaefer or C Misa are the top guys, with Schaefer maybe the top guy. Both will be very good players I'm sure, as most # 1 overall picks are, but neither looks to be a stud franchise guy. Sorry Isles, you get a Lafreniere type....
They could, but I have generally seen him ranked 3rd or 4th, even if he is the most pro-ready prospect. Even still, not a generational guy. Next season McKenna is supposed to be that guy, we'll see. If the Rangers had lost another game or two, they would have been where the Isles are, 10th best odds, and moved up....
I would be more than shocked; I'd be absolutely floored if Drury gives up the pick this season. If you do that you are essentially saying we are missing the playoffs next season, because even just barely making the playoffs as a WC and losing in round 1 means the pick will be worse in 26. It also would go against everything Drury has claimed to stand for, going for it and trying to win a Cup. No way in he** Drury is giving the Pens the pick this season.
Drury pretty much has been a moron. Even with Sullivan, if the Rangers are going to commit to some of their youth next season they should give this pick to Pitt. However, what I suspect they might do is trade a couple of young guys like Lafreniere or Miller to non playoff teams and get back a first that isn't lottery protected to a team with a fan base that is tired of sucking and already has some good, young, players. Chicago, Anaheim, San Jose come to mind. Detroit as well. If they do that they can keep this years pick. That's what I would do. Worth a shot to get McKenna. I feel Chicago thinks they are ready to take the next step. They finally have some young players ready to take the next step up front and on D. They might be extremely interested in Lafreniere. I suspect you could get back a good center prospect back from them and their first next year. If it breaks right, they could suck again and we have a shot at McKenna. Ideally, I'd like to trade Miller to Chicago for their first rounder next year, unprotected but I'm not sure how much value that dumbass has despite his talent.
I will predict there is a 0.0% chance Drury is a seller and trades away players for picks, unless it is part of a strategy that sees those players replaced in other deals. There is also a 0.0% chance he gives the Pens the 12th pick. Not only would that be 100% counter to just about everything Drury has done since taking over, it also essentially means the Rangers are punting on next season and expect to miss the playoffs again. There is absolutely no chance that is what Drury will do this offseason, whether I agree or not, it's just the way it will be. Remember this, if you make the playoffs as the team with the least number of points, you can pick no better than 17th. So, unless Drury feels the Rangers will miss the playoff again, or he plans to deal off players this summer, neither of which I see happening, the Rangers will keep this pick, and Drury will do everything in his power to ensure they are at the very least a playoff team next season (which means the Pens get the 17th pick or worse in the 26 draft). To keep the pick and then sell off players this summer would be one of the stupidest things anyone could do. If you are going to sell off this summer, you give the Pens the 12th pick this year. Drury will be aggressive to make the team into a Cup contender for next season, mark that down.
The overwhelming opinion from the majority of Rangers fans is to let this pick go. The 2025 draft is not great. The 2026 draft is loaded. If J.T., Fox or Trochek go down for any period of time, this team could easily be drafting in the top 7 in a draft with a generational talent and a lot more stud prospects. They should let the pick go the more I think about it unless they can acquire more first rounders from rebuilding teams that are sick of losing and need help now.
Having a generational talent in the 26 draft only matters if the Rangers stink/will miss the playoffs. Even if you expect the Rangers to barely slip into the playoffs, you keep this year's pick and deal the 2026 pick. Nothing I have seen Drury do, including hiring Sullivan, tells me he is going to give the Pens the 12th pick this year, which once again would be Drury essentially saying we are going to be bad and miss the playoffs next season, otherwise you obviously keep the 2025 pick. The absolute bottom line though is you need to have a cohesive strategic plan, not Drury's strength from what I have seen. If you plan to sell off players this summer and/or not be aggressive to improve the team this summer, then you need to give the Pens the pick this year. If you plan to add players this summer/be aggressive to improve the team this summer, then you hold this year and give the Pens the 2026 pick. It would make zero sense to keep the pick and then acquire more first rounders from other rebuilding teams, because in that scenario you would be punting on next season, so why keep the pick this year when you plan to suck next year (you would much rather have the 2026 pick), that would be an epic mistake. This is the key point, whatever you do has to be thought out, consistent, and strategic overall. From hiring Sullivan, to some of the moves Drury has made (Soucy and Miller), it tells me Drury is pushing his chips in to be aggressive this summer and be back on top next season. I'd be shocked if he did anything else.
Them taking the L.I. kid who rooted for the Isles as a kid would be a story, but it dosen't seem they will go Hagens #1.
