Rangers get fifth pick in 2026 NHL Draft and options to consider

Key Points:

• The New York Rangers dropped two spots in the 2026 NHL draft lottery, moving from a potential No. 1 pick to No. 5 overall, with the Toronto Maple Leafs securing the top pick and the San Jose Sharks second.
• Despite being the lowest possible position for the Rangers, the No. 5 pick still holds promise, with top prospects including Penn State’s Gavin McKenna, Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg, and defensemen Carson Carels, Chase Reid, and Daxon Rudolph expected near the top.
• Center Caleb Malhotra, considered the premier center in the draft and committed to Boston University, has risen in stock and could be a key target for the Rangers, especially given their need to strengthen the center position with Vincent Trocheck likely to be traded.
• Rangers GM Chris Drury holds two first-round picks, with the second pick expected between Nos. 23-27, and may consider trading one or both to make significant moves to retool the team.
• The Leafs’ acquisition of the No. 1 pick may help retain star Auston Matthews, while the Rangers face challenges in using their draft assets to pursue high-profile players like Matthews or Brady Tkachuk, as their current assets may not be competitive in such trades.