Rangers trade top draft pick to Penguins with eye on tantalizing 2026 possibilities

The Rangers opted to send Pittsburgh the 12th overall pick in this year’s NHL draft instead of deferring to 2026, The Post’s Larry Brooks first reported on Tuesday. 

In a move that completes the organization’s acquisition of J.T. Miller, Blueshirts president and general manager Chris Drury decided to keep the 2026 asset that projects to be much more valuable if the team is contending like they hope to this upcoming season. 

The Rangers sent the draft pick to the Penguins to complete the JT Miller trade.

Even if the Rangers aren’t as competitive as they plan to be, the 2026 draft class is said to be a deeper pool of talent.

Not to mention, there is the potential of a Connor McDavid-headlined free agency class next summer. 

Rangers GM Chris Drury talks to reporters after the team hired Mike Sullivan.

Shipping the No. 12 pick, which is now the Penguins to use this Friday in Los Angeles after they acquired it from the Canucks in exchange for Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor, means the Rangers acquired Miller at $8 million per over the next five seasons for Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini and a first-rounder. 

They also brought in defenseman Erik Brannstrom (later flipped to Sabres for Nicolas Aube-Kubel) and defense prospect Jackson Dorrington in the Miller deal. 

The Rangers expected to give up a first when they brought in Miller, per source. His $8 million price tag was considered to be reasonable, especially with the cap expected to go up.