![\"2020](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Daly-2020-Draft-Lottery-scaled-1200x873.jpg\")
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly announces draft positions during Phase 1 of the 2020 NHL Draft Lottery on June 26, 2020. (Photo by Bruce Bennett\/NHLI via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
So instead of Gavin McKenna<\/a> or Ivar Stenberg, the Rangers are likely looking at names like Caleb Malhotra, Carson Carels or maybe even Chase Reid<\/a>. All of those prospects have the potential to turn into difference makers for a franchise \u2013 and it\u2019ll be up to scouts to find the right and best player.<\/p>\n But at the same time, the Rangers need to be prepared for a player to slide, should they wind up picking in the 3-5 range. In recent years, we\u2019ve seen talented players drop in the draft, including Matvei Michkov and James Hagens at seventh overall<\/a>, and Ivan Demidov at fifth.<\/p>\n Perhaps during this year\u2019s draft, Stenberg (the consensus second pick) will be the one to fall, giving the Rangers an opportunity to land someone special.<\/p>\n Needing to Cash in on More Assets<\/p>\n After a relatively quiet 2026 Trade Deadline<\/a>, the front office is left with unfinished business. Most notably, Vincent Trocheck<\/a> remains with the team.<\/p>\n Not that the Rangers absolutely urgently need to trade the centerman, because he remains under a cap-friendly $5.63 million average annual value over the next three years \u2013 but it would probably be in their best interest to do so. This would bring back assets, including draft picks and potentially young players and prospects. <\/p>\n Trocheck is the Rangers\u2019 best trade piece, and they must get important assets back. But if a team isn\u2019t willing to pay up, then again, perhaps president and general manager Chris Drury will decide to hold onto him again.<\/p>\n On the other hand, Braden Schneider<\/a> is a player the organization should absolutely move. While he\u2019s still only 24 years old, it\u2019s hard to see where the 6-foot-4 defenseman fits on the roster and how the Rangers can improve without trading him.<\/p>\n When Adam Fox got hurt, and Schneider was given minutes to play with Vladislav Gavrikov, it turned out to be an unmitigated disaster. When on the ice together during 2025-26, the Schneider-Gavrikov pairing posted a 40.95 percent expected goals for (xGF share), according to Natural Stat Trick<\/a>.<\/p>\n The difference was night and day when Gavrikov was paired with Fox, with the two combining for an xGF share of 58.49 percent. Sure, it helps playing with one of the best defensemen in the league \u2013 but only one is capable of playing a top pairing role, while the other isn\u2019t.<\/p>\n Although Schneider definitely has top-four upside, he has likely hit his peak in New York as a third-pairing defenseman. It\u2019s time for a change in scenery. Perhaps a team desperate for defensemen, like the San Jose Sharks, would pay a premium and even be willing to trade a first-round pick or a young promising player like Collin Graf to make a deal work. <\/p>\n The Rangers would be wise to leverage as much as they can, but regardless, Schneider should be moved, even if it\u2019s only for a second-round pick and a prospect. <\/p>\n Additionally, the Rangers need to play offense in the trade market. As of now, they have two first-round picks, at least three third-round picks and one second-round pick in the upcoming draft. Certainly, the opportunity presents itself with Trocheck and Schneider to stockpile more assets. <\/p>\n This would give the Rangers more flexibility to acquire a big name. Right now, Jason Robertson comes to mind, who the Dallas Stars may not be able to squeeze under the salary cap for 2026-27 if he commands too much.<\/p>\n