The New York Rangers are coming off one of the worst seasons in recent memory, finishing 34-39-9 and dead last in the Eastern Conference in 2025-26.
General manager Chris Drury has a couple of key decisions to make once free agency opens on July 1, and he’ll also be looking to improve the roster on the trade market, as The Athletic’s Peter Baugh reported.
Baugh pointed to a pair of pending unrestricted free-agent forwards as players worth watching: the Seattle Kraken’s Bobby McMann and the Buffalo Sabres’ Beck Malenstyn.
If one or both players reach the open market, the Blueshirts are expected to have interest as they look to reshape their forward group after another disappointing season. Both players would address different needs.
McMann is coming off the best season of his NHL career. The 30-year-old scored a career-high 29 goals split between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Kraken, including 10 goals in just 18 games after being acquired by Seattle at the trade deadline.
His combination of size, speed and scoring ability could make him an attractive option for a Rangers team looking to add more offensive punch to its top six.
Malenstyn would offer a different element.
The 28-year-old established himself as one of the league’s most physical forwards while helping Buffalo reach the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He also set a franchise record for hits during the 2025-26 campaign, per Baugh.
While Malenstyn is unlikely to be viewed as a top-six option, his speed, forechecking and physical play could make him an ideal fit in New York.
Cap space shouldn’t be an obstacle for the Rangers. According to PuckPedia, New York is projected to have roughly $26.5 million available this summer, giving management plenty of flexibility to pursue upgrades.
Contract projections suggest neither player would require a massive commitment compared to some of the bigger names available.
AFP Analytics projects Malenstyn to receive a three-year contract worth approximately $2.64 million annually, while McMann is projected to land a four-year deal carrying a $5.3 million average annual value.
Both forwards appear to be realistic options as the Rangers search for speed, depth and secondary scoring heading into what could be a pivotal offseason for the franchise.
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