New York Rangers Mollie Walker Rangers have important things to build on in final stretch — yes, even outside draft dreams By Mollie Walker Published March 13, 2026, 8:53 p.m. ET New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) deflects the puck. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post SAINT PAUL, Minn. — With the Rangers hovering over the bottom of the NHL standings, it’s easy to root for whatever outcome would most likely lead to general manager Chris Drury announcing Gavin McKenna’s name on the draft stage at KeyBank Center in Buffalo this June.
The worse the Blueshirts’ record is by the end of the season the better the organization’s draft lottery odds will be.
Access the Rangers beat like never before Get Mollie Walker’s text messages with the latest Rangers buzz and get your questions answered — exclusive to Sports+ subscribers.
Certainly, a higher draft pick would be welcomed by a Rangers team that is actively looking to get younger.
Drawing the No. 1 pick for the second time in seven drafts feels like a long shot, but the Rangers learned there is no such thing in 2020, when the ping-pong ball with the organization’s crest popped out of the machine and allowed the team to take Alexis Lafrenière despite having the 14th-best odds.
