The New York Rangers continue to search for reinforcements to strengthen their bottom-six forward group, with potential trade targets including Brandon Tanev and Nick Bjugstad.
J.T. Miller has already made a strong impression since joining the Rangers from Vancouver, and the move of Mika Zibanejad to Miller’s right wing has provided an unexpected boost. However, shifting Zibanejad from center has created a familiar issue—depth concerns in the bottom six, particularly at third-line center. The loss of Filip Chytil in the Miller trade further exacerbated the problem, and the situation worsened when Adam Edstrom was ruled out for 2.5 to 3.5 months with a lower-body injury.
The Rangers faced similar depth struggles last season. Although the acquisition of Alex Wennberg briefly provided balance, the bottom-six group remained inconsistent throughout the playoffs. Head coach Peter Laviolette ultimately found himself experimenting with different combinations in an attempt to find a solution.
With the March 7 trade deadline approaching, general manager Chris Drury is expected to aggressively seek reinforcements. Internal options like Jonny Brodzinski and Jimmy Vesey provide temporary cover but are not long-term solutions for a contending team.
Among the external options, Radek Faksa (St. Louis Blues), Nick Bjugstad and Alex Kerfoot (Utah Hockey Club), and Nico Sturm (San Jose Sharks) are all potential trade targets to fill the third-line center role. Each brings size, defensive ability, and varying levels of offensive upside.
For additional bottom-six depth, the Rangers could pursue wingers like Brandon Tanev (Seattle Kraken) or Garnet Hathaway (Philadelphia Flyers). Tanev’s mix of physicality and scoring ability makes him an attractive option, though his $3.5 million cap hit may be a challenge. Hathaway, a high-energy, aggressive player, fits the mold of what the Rangers have needed in past postseasons but comes with a multi-year contract that could complicate trade negotiation
Brandon Tanev
Other options include Liam O’Brien (Utah Hockey Club), a gritty forward reminiscent of former Ranger Sean Avery, and Brett Berard, an internal prospect who could get a look if external trades don’t materialize.
As the Rangers push for the playoffs, addressing their bottom-six issues remains a priority. Whether through trades or internal promotions, Drury will need to act quickly to solidify the team’s depth before the postseason.
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