WHAT NOW?

BY Mike Rifkin

If you’re a hockey fan one of the best days of the year is July 1st. July 1st is the beginning of free agency. The 2026 free agent class was stacked. Kirill Kaprizov, Connor McDavid, and Jack Eichel were the headliners of the class. But, as we get the season going all three players have signed extensions with their respective teams. 

One of the teams that was rumored to have interest in the three players was the New York Rangers. With the cap continuing to rise, the Rangers will have approximately 29 million dollars in cap space. So with the news of the three top guys re-signing what does that mean for Chris Drury and company. Now remember they don’t have to use all 29 million, since they’re compliant with the cap, but here’s how I would look at Drury’s summer.

1. Re-sign Artemi Panarin to a short term deal – This could be a fluent situation, if the Rangers don’t have a Panarin deal done by the trade deadline would they consider moving him? Obviously, they wouldn’t if they’re in the playoff race, but it is a thought. Panarin has been the best Ranger player not named Shesterkin the last few seasons, but at his age you don’t want to commit to a long term deal. So, a high AAV (average annual value) on a short term deal could work. 

2. Extending Braden Schneider- Schneider has taken big leaps in his game. The former first round pick has been excellent since coming up. With the trade of K’Andre Miller, Schneider has the potential to be an anchor on the top four of the Blue Line.

3. Look at the RFA market – With the Rangers having multiple first round picks in 2026, they could use one or both to add an impending Restricted free agent and then work out a deal. Marty Necas, Shane Pinto, Cole Perfetti, and Jason Robertson are all names that are intriguing to me. 

Let’s be honest for a second, the worst place in sports to be is in the middle. The Rangers right now kind of feel like an in the middle team. They’re not as good as the team that won the President’s trophy two years ago, and they’re not as bad as the team we witnessed last season. Yes, we are one game into the season, but this team needs to figure out the direction soon.