Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

NHL Insider Identifies Three 'Untouchable' Rangers in Trade Talks

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jun 8, 2025 7:52 AM ET

The New York Rangers are preparing for a potentially active offseason, and according to Arthur Staple of The Athletic, only three players are safe from trade consideration.

After a season that fell short of expectations, General Manager Chris Drury appears intent on making significant changes to the roster he assembled.

Drury promised to revamp the team as soon as last November when he sent a league-wide memo, and although he pulled off a few transactions, the roster remained intact for the most part.

Staple confirmed Drury's initial plans are still active, reporting from the NHL combine ahead of this year's draft that the Rangers are one of several teams expected to pursue major adjustments this summer.

Heard around the NHL combine this week:

— #NYR among a handful of teams (BUF, UTA, SEA) looking to shake up their roster soon
— Shesterkin, Fox and Panarin may be only #NYR untouchables in trade talk
— Keep an eye on Vladislav Gavrikov and #NYR if Chris Drury can free up space
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) June 7, 2025

"Shesterkin, Fox, and Panarin may be only #NYR untouchables in trade talk," Staple wrote on X.

That trio arguably features the most consistent performers on a Rangers team that fell short of a Stanley Cup Final appearance by a round last season but failed to make the postseason this year.

Goalie Igor Shesterkin and defenseman Adam Fox are under long-term deals. Forward Artemi Panarin is entering the final year of his seven-year contract, but judging by Staple's report, the franchise wants to keep him in tow, possibly signing him to an extension shortly.

With those three players protected, the remainder of the roster appears more fluid in terms of potential exits.

Players like Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, K’Andre Miller, and Alexis Lafreniere could surface in trade talks as the offseason unfolds, as they already made it to the rumor mill before the trade deadline.

According to PuckPedia, the Rangers enter the offseason with $8.4 million in cap space.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: