After coming up short in their pursuit of Quinn Hughes last week, the New York Rangers appear far from finished in their search for a true superstar addition.
NHL insider Chris Johnston of The Athletic reported on Monday that the Rangers are actively looking to land an elite player, which explains why they were among several teams that submitted offers for Hughes before the Vancouver Canucks ultimately dealt him to the Minnesota Wild on Friday.
Johnston said on his podcast that New York is eager to make a major move, emphasizing the organization’s desire to inject a game-changing presence into the lineup.
At first glance, it would seem logical for the Rangers to target a top-six forward to boost their offense. They currently rank 29th in the NHL in scoring, averaging just 2.64 goals per game, and have been held scoreless six times through 33 contests.
However, Hughes represented more than just a defensive upgrade. The Rangers viewed him as a potential offensive catalyst from the blue line. Even with Adam Fox already anchoring their defense as an elite offensive talent, New York felt the opportunity to further strengthen its attack from the back end was too tempting to ignore. The 26-year-old Hughes, the reigning 2023-24 Norris Trophy winner, is widely considered on par with Colorado’s Cale Makar as the league’s premier offensive defenseman.
Had the projected 2026 free agent class remained intact, the Rangers might never have entered the Hughes sweepstakes. Several elite forwards once expected to reach the open market next summer have since committed to their current teams, including Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Kirill Kaprizov, Adrian Kempe, Kyle Connor, and Martin Necas.
Johnston explained that New York had been positioned to make a major splash in the summer of 2026, given its available cap space and the appeal of the organization and market. But with those marquee names now off the table, trade options have become more complicated, as the Rangers either lack certain assets or are reluctant to part with key pieces.
In a twist of irony, one of the top unrestricted free agent forwards expected to be available next offseason is Rangers star Artemi Panarin. He once again leads the team offensively with 33 points, made up of 11 goals and 22 assists in 33 games. Buffalo Sabres forward Alex Tuch also remains without an extension and could emerge as an intriguing alternative.