The New York Rangers Will One Again “Retool The Team”
Chris Drury and the New York Rangers are officially entering another rebuild, even though they’re classifying it as a retool. Sitting in dead last in the Eastern Conference, the Rangers will look to sell a ton of their pieces before the Trade Deadline and get more young talent. General Manager Chris Drury announced the news earlier today on social media, and it is the right decision.
Rangers Have No Other Choice
The message Drury shared today is the same one former General Manager Jeff Gorton shared with the fanbase eight years ago. On February 8th, 2018, Gorton released a letter to fans stating that the team would be trading away pieces and rebuilding.
Fast forward to January 16th, 2026, and the same message is being shared. New York entered the season with high hopes after bringing in Vladislav Gavrikov and hiring Mike Sullivan, but it has fallen completely short.ย
While injuries have played a massive part in the Rangers’ struggles thus far, the biggest reason is a poorly constructed roster. The star players have been quiet all season long, and the lineups that Mike Sullivan puts out daily makes the fanbase want to rip their eyes out. Conner Sheary has been one of the worst players on the entire roster, yet he would be put in the top six solely because he is Mike Sullivan’s son-in-law.
JT Miller and Adam Fox have both missed significant time this year, causing a ton of shuffling for a team that needed continuity. Offensively, outside of Artemi Panarin, everyone has been nonexistent. Two weeks ago, the Rangers were still very much in play for a Wild Card spot, but losing Igor Shesterkin was the nail in the coffin that we all knew was coming. To make things even worse, the Rangers will trade their only outlet of offensive production.
Artemi Panarin Will Be Traded
As part of the retooling process, Drury informed many top players on the roster of the decision. The biggest name on the trade market will be star forward Artemi Panarin, who has been a cornerstone piece of New York since he signed back in 2019. Drury told him today that he will not be offered a contract extension, and they’re prepared to work with him and his agent, Paul Theofanous, to trade him to where he wishes to go.
In the final year of his contract, this doesn’t come as a shock. In 47 games this season, Panarin has posted 51 points with 16 goals and 35 assists. When Panarin isn’t playing, the Rangers cannot string together any offensive production.
A trade for the star winger could materialize fairly quickly. He’ll have a vast market, and Chris Drury has to be creative to get the right package back, but at the same time, figure out what teams Panarin is willing to go to.
Outside of Panarin, New York has a ton of names that will generate trade interest. Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck are names that will come up a ton as we approach the trade deadline. Good centers are at a premium and valued by every team in the NHL, and while it would be tough to trade either, if it means getting back young talent with potential, they have to explore every option.
Drury Is Doing The Right Thing
Obviously, no fanbase wants to hear that their team is throwing in the towel and looking ahead, but Chris Drury is doing what’s best for the team. With a thin prospect pool, the Rangers desperately need more young talent on their roster. The window to win a Stanley Cup has closed, and they have too many aging “stars” who are on a decline.
The only way for the Rangers to compete within the next 1-2 years is if Chris Drury absolutely nails every trade he makes in the coming months. For the rest of the season, it’s officially time to let the tank commence. They have a real shot at a top pick in the upcoming draft and currently have the sixth-best odds to land the number one overall pick.
