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This possible Rangers decision would really benefit the Penguins

The New York Rangers have a decision to make. They keep the 12th overall pick and send the Penguins their 2026 first-round pick, or they send the Penguins the 12th pick and keep their 2026 first-round pick. They might have made up their mind already.
ByTyler Miller|
Apr 17, 2025; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing JJ Peterka (77) scores a goal on Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Aleksei Kolosov (35) during the second period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
Apr 17, 2025; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing JJ Peterka (77) scores a goal on Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Aleksei Kolosov (35) during the second period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images | Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

In a little less than two weeks, Chris Drury and the New York Rangers have a massive decision to make. They can either keep their first-round pick this year (12th overall) and send the Penguins their 2026 first-round pick as a result of the Marcus Pettersson trade to the Vancouver Canucks.

Or they can send the Penguins the 12th pick now and choose to keep their 2026 first-round pick as the 2026 draft seems to have a draft class that is much deeper in terms of talent than the 2025 draft class.

But it seems the Rangers might have made up their mind already. There are rumors going around that they want to hand out some offer-sheets this summer and that would make them use their 2026 first-round pick, so it would automatically give the Penguins the 12th pick.

One guy the Rangers could offersheet is JJ Peterka if the Buffalo Sabres choose not to trade him, and this could greatly benefit the Penguins.

Watch for a trade up if the Penguins are picking 11th and 12th in this draft

If Drury and the Rangers decide to give Dubas and the Penguins the 12th overall pick in this year's draft, there is a very good chance the Penguins use both picks to trade up.

There have been rumors going around that the Penguins really like Porter Martone at the top of the draft and would need to trade up if they would like to select him.

Selecting Martone would give the Penguins that top of the pyramid prospect that they have been seeking for their prospect pool for years now and would definitely be worth the trade up.

The Penguins win either way if they get the pick this year or next year

Regardless of if the Rangers send the pick this year or decide to send their pick next year, the Penguins will come out a winner.

As previously stated, the 2026 draft is deeper than the 2025 draft in terms of talent. Say the Rangers suck next season and they already had to send the 2026 pick. That means the Penguins would have a really good chance at the Gavin McKenna sweepstakes and that would be a massive win.

No matter what choice the Rangers make, Kyle Dubas is in good hands and will make a good decision whether he trades up or gets a chance to draft McKenna in 2026.

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