The New York Rangers are set to be one of the most fascinating teams to watch this offseason, as significant changes could be on the horizon. With the team struggling to secure a playoff spot, sitting at 33-30-6, the Rangers may make bold moves to reshape their roster.
One possible move is the addition of Stanley Cup-winning forward Sam Bennett, who is currently in the final year of his four-year, $17.7 million contract with the Florida Panthers. A user on PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool proposed the Rangers signing Bennett to a four-year, $24 million deal, which would pay him $6 million per season. This deal makes sense on paper, as Bennett is set to receive a raise and could fill a key forward role on the Rangers, especially if they trade players like Mika Zibanejad or Chris Kreider in the offseason.
Bennett would provide the Rangers with a gritty, physical top-six forward who can score—traits similar to Kreider’s style of play. Bennett, who played a pivotal role in the Panthers’ 2024 Stanley Cup victory, has 22 goals and 23 assists for 45 points in 66 games this season.
As a second-line center in Florida, he has been an impactful player and is expected to be one of the most sought-after free agents when he hits the market on July 1. Talks about a potential contract extension between Bennett and the Panthers have recently resumed, according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, but his future remains uncertain.
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The Rangers are also facing tough decisions about their current roster. Despite high expectations for this season, they have not performed as anticipated and are now outside a playoff spot. GM Chris Drury has hinted at potential trades involving stars like Zibanejad, Kreider, and Artemi Panarin. At the trade deadline, Drury made moves to balance competing for the playoffs while also planning for the future, acquiring young players and assets in exchange for some of their unrestricted free agents.
With a lot of key decisions ahead, including potential trades and free-agent signings, the Rangers will be a team to keep an eye on as they look to rebuild and strengthen their roster for the coming seasons.
