The Rangers aren’t scheduled to pick in the first round of Friday’s NHL Draft, which will begin at 7 p.m. and be broadcast on ESPN.
They had a choice to make as part of a lingering condition from the Jan. 31 trade in which they acquired J.T. Miller and a couple depth defensemen from the Vancouver Canucks. If the 2025 pick landed inside the top 13, which it did at No. 12 overall, New York would have the option of keeping it and relinquishing an unprotected 2026 first-rounder instead.
After weeks of mulling the decision, the Blueshirts opted to surrender this year’s pick in favor of holding the 2026 selection, which most scouts and experts believe will feature a stronger draft class. The Pittsburgh Penguins, who acquired the rights from Vancouver, now own the No. 12 selection.
The Rangers are left with eight total picks this weekend, beginning with No. 43 overall in the second round. Round Nos. 2-7 will be held on Saturday, beginning at noon on NHL Network and ESPN+.
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They could package those later picks to move up if a coveted prospect drops within striking distance, or add extra picks through separate trades.
Team president Chris Drury has been working on a trade involving defenseman K’Andre Miller, among possible others. The preference is to acquire NHL players who can immediately bolster the lineup, but there’s a growing sense the Blueshirts aren’t crazy about what’s been offered for Miller so far. They may have to settle for prospects and/or additional draft picks and try to make the most of them.
Vincent Z. Mercogliano is the New York Rangers beat reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Read more of his work at lohud.com/sports/rangers/ and follow him on Twitter @vzmercogliano.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: When do NY Rangers pick in 2025 NHL Draft? Start time, draft order
Reporting by Vincent Z. Mercogliano, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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