Rangers-Penguins Trade: 12th Overall Pick
- The New York Rangers will send the 12th overall pick in Friday's NHL draft to the Pittsburgh Penguins,finalizing conditions stemming from last season's J.T.
- Vancouver then traded that pick to Pittsburgh for defenseman Marcus Pettersson.
- Retaining the 2026 pick offers the Rangers strategic flexibility.
The New york rangers have traded their 12th overall pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins in a move finalizing conditions from the J.T. Miller trade from last season. This high-stakes NHL draft shakeup sees the Penguins now holding the 11th and 12th picks, significantly bolstering their roster-building potential. This strategic shift allows Rangers the use of the 2026 pick, offering flexibility under new coach Mike Sullivan. Will the Penguins seize the moment at the draft, or will the Rangers use that future pick to their advantage? For more in-depth coverage of trades like this, or any meaningful NHL storylines, News Directory 3’s sports section is your first stop.Discover what’s next in the exciting world of hockey.
Rangers send draft Pick to Penguins, Completing J.T. Miller Trade
Updated June 26,2025
The New York Rangers will send the 12th overall pick in Friday’s NHL draft to the Pittsburgh Penguins,finalizing conditions stemming from last season’s J.T. Miller trade. The Rangers originally acquired Miller in a deal that involved sending a conditional first-round pick to the Vancouver Canucks, along with Filip Chytil and Victor Mancini, in exchange for Miller, Erik Brannstrom, and Jackson Dorrington. Miller, now 32, tallied 35 points in 32 games with the Rangers.
Vancouver then traded that pick to Pittsburgh for defenseman Marcus Pettersson. The condition stipulated that if the Rangers’ 2025 first-round pick landed within the top 13, they could retain it, sending their 2026 first-round pick to the Penguins instead. the Rangers, finishing with an 39-36-7 record, missed the playoffs and secured the 12th overall pick.
Retaining the 2026 pick offers the Rangers strategic flexibility. Should the team, under new head coach Mike Sullivan, return to contention, the pick could be used to strengthen the roster before the trade deadline. Conversely, if the team continues to struggle, the Rangers woudl possess a potential lottery pick in what is anticipated to be a strong draft year, featuring forward gavin mckenna.
The Penguins now control consecutive picks, holding both the 11th and 12th selections in the first round of the NHL draft. This gives them significant leverage to shape their future roster.
What’s next
The NHL draft is set to take place Friday, where the Penguins will look to capitalize on their newly acquired draft position. The Rangers will strategize how to best utilize their retained 2026 first-round pick, considering both short-term and long-term team goals. The role of the draft pick is crucial for both teams.