The Rangers have opted to surrender their first-round pick in the upcoming NHL Draft to the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of the J.T. Miller trade completed with Vancouver. This strategic move allows the Rangers to retain their 2026 first-round pick, giving them more flexibility to sign a restricted free agent this offseason or use the pick as an asset during the trade deadline if they aim for a playoff run. The pick was top-13 protected, falling at No. 12 overall, thus granting the Rangers the option to surrender their 2026 pick instead.
The Rangers have decided to give up their first-round pick in Friday's NHL Draft, surrendering it to the Pittsburgh Penguins to complete the Jan. 31 trade with Vancouver for J.T. Miller.
Holding on to their 2026 first-round pick will give the Rangers a valuable asset they could use at the trade deadline if they consider themselves a Stanley Cup contender.
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