Rangers could rival Maple Leafs for blockbuster signing

The New York Rangers have a couple of concerns regarding Artemi Panarin heading into the start of the 2025-26 NHL season.

It was confirmed that Panarin, 33, got injured during the second day of the Rangers' camp, without even having played the first game of the season. Head coach Mike Sullivan categorized this injury as "precautionary," without confirming how much time the Russian will miss.

The problem is the left winger is about to enter the seventh and final year of his contract with the Blueshirts, and so far, both parties have remained in complete silence. While Panarin told The Athletic that he's "focusing on hockey," there also hasn't been any indication of an offer from the New York team.

Currently, there is also another forward with elite player status entering the final year of his contract with his current team: Connor McDavid. The 28-year-old center has so far not extended his deal with the Edmonton Oilers and has been the subject of speculation in recent days.

Why it makes sense for the Rangers to wait for Connor McDavid

Although recently TSN’s Pierre LeBrun pointed out that the Toronto Maple Leafs are among the teams interested in signing Connor McDavid, he also said that there are other teams interested, and it wouldn't be crazy for the Rangers to be one of them.

The normal thing in a situation like this, which completely conditions the market, is that some teams are waiting for the McDavid situation to be resolved in order to operate normally. Considering that the Rangers' salary cap is already significant, it makes sense that they are waiting with the hope that later on they will have real chances to sign the Oilers' superstar.

Historically, the Rangers have been a team that has known how to attract superstars, and it may be that GM Chris Drury is considering a move of this caliber in a season of reinvention.