Why Rangers GM can be real winner at 2026 NHL Draft Lottery

Even though the 2026 draft is considered deeper with more highly-skilled talent than its predecessor in 2025, there was risk involved for Drury and the team. Had the Rangers made the playoffs this season, or finished with a significantly better record, their first-round selection would’ve been been later than the 12th overall pick in 2025.

For the record, the Philadelphia Flyers — who acquired that pick from the Penguins on draft day — selected talented center Jack Nesbitt (Liam Greentree’s teammate at Windsor in the OHL) with the No. 12 pick. That’s a pretty good prospect right there, and speaks to the level of talent the Rangers missed out on a year ago by surrendering that pick.

But Drury’s decision ended up being the right one, it appears. The Rangers unraveled this season, and own the third-best odds to win the draft lottery, 11.5 percent according to Tankathon. Should those ping pong balls go their way at NHL Network studios in New Jersey on Tuesday, the Rangers next decision likely is whether to select Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg first overall.

And the worst-case scenario is that the Rangers drop to No. 5 overall — since lottery rules dictate they can only fall back two spots. They’re going to get a really good player high up in the draft, perhaps one that can help them as early as next season.

So, no matter the outcome Tuesday night, Drury made the right call a year ago. And for all his mistakes that helped get the Rangers to this point, landing, say, McKenna in this draft could help turn the current retool on its ear and make for a quicker return to playoff contention.

There’s plenty of other areas the Rangers must fix, for sure, so Drury’s far from getting out of the woods here. But this one gives him and the Rangers a better chance to do so.

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