The moves the Rangers made at the draft weren’t the only ones of the offseason, as GM Chris Drury continues to retool the roster. A plethora of moves were made on Wednesday, as July 1 marked the official opening of free agency.
The Rangers made a handful of moves, but let’s start with the most notable.
Vincent Trocheck Traded to Utah Mammoth
The Vincent Trocheck trade saga has finally come to an end, as the 32-year-old center was sent to the Utah Mammoth in exchange for Sean Durzi, Cole Beaudoin, and a 2027 third-round pick.
While there were reports that Trocheck wanted to stay in the Eastern Conference for family reasons, he ultimately waived his no-trade clause for Utah, finally ending the trade saga that had lasted since the Rangers released “The Letter 2.0” in January.
So, what are the Rangers getting back to help propel this retool?
Sean Durzi, an established NHL defenseman who stands at 6-foot-1 and 191 pounds, will immediately slot into the Rangers’ blue line. Durzi has played five NHL seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, Arizona Coyotes, and Utah Mammoth. The right-handed defenseman is expected to slide onto the Rangers’ second pairing and could also see time on the second power-play unit. Durzi is signed for the next two seasons after agreeing to a four-year, $24 million contract in 2024.
Cole Beaudoin is the centerpiece of this trade and is expected to be a major part of the Rangers’ future. Beaudoin recently finished his fourth season in the OHL, tallying 88 points in 54 games, while adding 29 points in 15 playoff games for the Barrie Colts.
Beaudoin excels in many areas, particularly in the dirty areas of the ice. He has a relentless forecheck and isn’t afraid to play physically in front of the net. He also takes pride in his defensive play, blocking shots and serving as an effective penalty killer for Barrie. The 20-year-old is set to turn pro this coming season, and it will be interesting to see if he can earn a spot on the Rangers’ opening-night roster.
The Rangers also acquired a 2027 third-round pick from Utah.
Marcus Pettersson Acquired by Rangers
Shortly after the Trocheck deal was completed, the Rangers acquired defenseman Marcus Pettersson from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a 2030 first-round pick (top-10 protected).
Pettersson could potentially slot alongside Sean Durzi on the Rangers’ second pairing and brings excellent puck movement to the lineup. He’s viewed as a reliable second or third-pairing defenseman who isn’t flashy, but consistently makes smart plays with the puck.
Yes, this is more of an analytical move. His point production isn’t eye-popping, but he’s steady in his own zone and can chip in offensively from time to time. Since entering the league, Pettersson has generated more assists than any other defenseman without being a power-play regular, which is an interesting statistic. He also played under Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan in Pittsburgh from 2018-25.
Will Borgen Traded to Boston
Will Borgen was traded to the Boston Bruins on Wednesday afternoon in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick and a conditional 2028 third-round pick. The third-round pick becomes a second-round pick if Boston reaches the Eastern Conference Final in either 2026-27 or 2027-28 and Borgen plays in at least 50 percent of the team’s playoff games.
With the additions of Durzi and Pettersson, Borgen became expendable and no longer had a clear spot on the Rangers’ blue line. The move also clears the way for the Rangers to sign Braden Schneider, who is currently a restricted free agent.
Rangers Acquire Joonas Korpisalo
The Rangers’ first move of the day was acquiring goaltender Joonas Korpisalo from the Boston Bruins in exchange for a 2028 fourth-round pick and forward prospect Kalle Väisänen.
Korpisalo had a down year serving as Jeremy Swayman’s backup in 2025-26, posting a .894 save percentage, a 3.15 goals-against average, and a 14-9-6 record.
It appears Korpisalo and Dylan Garand will battle during training camp for the backup role behind Igor Shesterkin. If Garand wins the job, it’s likely several teams would have interest in acquiring Korpisalo before the regular season begins.
Rangers Sign Oliver Bjorkstrand and Joe Veleno
Oliver Bjorkstrand was the Rangers’ biggest signing on Wednesday, agreeing to a one-year, $4.5 million contract.
Bjorkstrand is a solid depth addition to the Rangers’ forward group. He has eclipsed the 20-goal mark five times during his 11-year NHL career and has consistently produced offensively. The Danish veteran also brings speed, something the Rangers severely lacked last season.
Joe Veleno signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Blueshirts and is expected to serve as the team’s fourth-line center next season.
Veleno has bounced around several teams during his six-year NHL career after being selected 30th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2018 NHL Draft. While he may move in and out of the lineup, the Rangers clearly see some upside in the former first-round pick.
Final Thoughts
It has been a very strong offseason for Chris Drury and company so far.
The goal was to reshape the roster without completely tearing it down, and Drury has done a solid job accomplishing that. The Rangers have added size, improved their puck movement on the blue line, accumulated future assets, and brought in players who should fit the style Mike Sullivan wants to play.
There may still be more moves to come over the next few days, but as things currently stand, the Rangers have assembled a promising roster heading into the 2026-27 NHL season.
