The New York Rangers continue searching for the next face of their franchise after moving on from Artemi Panarin, and former NHL forward Mike Rupp believes the organization has been waiting for the right blockbuster opportunity.
Speaking about the Rangers’ long-term plans, Rupp suggested general manager Chris Drury has been positioning the team for a major swing rather than making short-term additions. While several elite players signed extensions with their current teams, Rupp believes one name has remained on New York’s radar throughout the process: Connor McDavid.
“I think we’re in a spot here where I think Chris Drury and management was looking towards this past summer,” Rupp said. “I think they were trying to position themselves in a way to go big, whatever that meant, the big, big-name players that were out there that we saw get absorbed by their current teams in a lot of situations.”
Rupp mentioned, “I also think that they have always had an eye on Connor McDavid and that situation and monitoring that. So I think there’s probably a plan to do something big. It just hasn’t come to fruition up to this point.”
Connor McDavid’s extension closed one door for New York
If the Rangers were hoping McDavid’s future would become uncertain, that possibility has been pushed further down the road.
The Edmonton Oilers captain signed a two-year, $25 million extension that begins in the 2026-27 season, keeping his $12.5 million average annual value unchanged through the 2027-28 campaign. The shorter deal gives Edmonton added cap flexibility while allowing McDavid another chance to chase a Stanley Cup with the team.
His decision followed another dominant campaign. McDavid led the NHL with 138 points, including 48 goals and a league-best 90 assists, capturing another Art Ross Trophy despite Edmonton’s disappointing playoff exit.
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The Oilers have since reshaped the organization by hiring Mike Babcock as head coach and trading long-time defenseman Darnell Nurse, signaling that management is committed to maximizing McDavid’s championship window.
Rangers still need their next franchise centerpiece
New York’s interest in elite talent makes sense given how the 2025-26 season unfolded.
The Rangers finished last in the Metropolitan Division with a 34-39-9 record and missed the playoffs for a second straight year. Panarin’s departure at the trade deadline left an even larger offensive gap after he was dealt to the Los Angeles Kings for prospect Liam Greentree and a third-round pick.
Drury has already begun reshaping the roster by signing Pavel Dorofeyev to a long-term contract while exploring the trade market for another top-line star. Reports have also linked the Rangers to high-end centers as they attempt to build a younger, faster roster.
From a team-building perspective, Rupp’s comments reflect a broader strategy rather than an imminent pursuit of McDavid. Every franchise would welcome the league’s best player, but New York’s focus appears to be preserving flexibility until a true franchise-changing opportunity becomes available.
McDavid is no longer an immediate option after his extension, yet the Rangers remain determined to land a superstar capable of replacing Panarin’s production and leading the team back into Stanley Cup contention.
