The New York Rangers have agreed to trade their No. 12 overall pick in the 2025 NHL draft to the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of acquiring forward J.T. Miller during the 2024-25 season. This transaction was finalized amid a series of moves aimed at reshaping both teams’ rosters for upcoming seasons.
According to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, the Rangers chose to part with the 2025 first-round pick while retaining their 2026 first-round selection. This decision was influenced by the potential value of the 2026 pick, which the Rangers believe could be a key asset for future trades, especially around the 2025-26 trade deadline.
Details of the Multi-Player Deal Between Rangers and Canucks
On January 31, the Rangers obtained J.T. Miller, defenseman Erik Brännström, and prospect Jackson Dorrington from the Vancouver Canucks. In return, New York sent Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini, and a conditional first-round pick to Vancouver in a trade focused on roster balancing. Soon after, the Canucks flipped that conditional pick to Pittsburgh as part of a larger exchange involving forward Danton Heinen, defenseman Vincent Desharnais, and prospect Melvin Fernström for Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor.
Penguins Now Hold Consecutive First-Round Picks for 2025 Draft
With this sequence of trades, the Pittsburgh Penguins now control both the No. 11 and No. 12 picks in the upcoming 2025 NHL draft, scheduled to begin in Los Angeles. While they can use both selections to strengthen their prospect pool, these assets could also serve as strategic chips if the Penguins decide to trade up in the draft or acquire veteran players to speed up their rebuild.
Having missed the playoffs for three straight seasons, the Penguins face pressure to return to playoff contention quickly. This urgency is heightened because superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are nearing the final years of their contracts and playing days, with Crosby having two years left and Malkin just one.
Rangers Face Rebuilding After Missing Playoffs Yet Retain Core Talent
The Rangers ended the 2024-25 regular season with 85 points, falling short of the playoffs for the first time since 2021. This outcome prompted the team to part ways with some key veterans, including defenseman Jacob Trouba and winger Chris Kreider, both traded to the Anaheim Ducks in separate deals. Despite these departures, New York fields a strong core featuring Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Adam Fox, Igor Shesterkin, and their recent acquisition, J.T. Miller, positioning them for a potential rebound.
Holding on to the 2026 first-round pick gives the Rangers an opportunity to capitalize if next season does not meet expectations. Retaining that pick could pay dividends by potentially winning the 2026 NHL draft lottery, offering the chance to select a game-changing prospect.
2026 Draft Prospects and Strategic Considerations Behind the Trade
Forward Gavin McKenna, fresh off a remarkable season with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers, is widely projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft. With 41 goals and 88 assists totaling 129 points last season, McKenna is considered possibly the best prospect since Connor McDavid. The Rangers’ decision to relinquish their 2025 first-rounder yet retain the 2026 pick is partly attributed to the desire to keep a shot at drafting McKenna if they struggle again.
Had New York kept their 2025 pick, the 2026 pick would have been unprotected and transferred to the Penguins regardless of its final position, even if it ended up as the top selection. While the 2025 draft offers promising talents, the Rangers’ move suggests a strategic focus on maximizing future opportunities rather than short-term gains.
Implications for Both Teams Moving Forward
The Rangers’ trade reflects a balance between immediate roster enhancements with Miller and long-term flexibility through the 2026 draft pick. Meanwhile, the Penguins have positioned themselves to either add multiple prospects in 2025 or leverage these assets to strengthen their team sooner, especially as they look to contend before Crosby and Malkin retire.
Both organizations face critical decisions in the coming months about how to best use their draft capital and player assets, shaping their trajectories for the next several NHL seasons.