If I were the Rangers, I'd do one of two things:

1) Keep the pick this season and trade it for immediate help to improve the roster. Give the Penguins next year's pick with the expectation that the changes made and Sullivan as coach will be enough to get the team into the playoffs.

2) Give up the pick this season so everyone can start with a clean slate and you can hold onto that pick for next year in case a) you are bad again or b) you want to trade the pick for a playoff push once the season starts.

I dont think picking someone at 13 this season helps the Rangers

Rangers are competing now. If they keep this pick, they lose their 2026 1st that would be a massive trade piece.

Only way they keep their 2025 1st is if they plan to trade it away at the draft for a big named player.

I’m hoping NYR gives the Pens the 2026 pick instead of this year. I can’t see how the Pens would be any better next season and hopefully make a run at a top 5 pick. Then hopefully the Rangers miss the playoffs again and there’s more of a chance with the lottery for Mckenna.

Only way the Pens reach the playoffs next year is by splurging in free agency for guys like Bennett and Ekblad. Then making one or 2 big trades to add another top 6 winger and defense. I don’t think Dubas is ready to make that many moves though

I think the Peg is the team of destiny. Got past some atrocious Helly goaltending and I think they’re gonna turn it up
- Victoro311

Ahh yes, the Vic team of destiny... Like the Sharks in 2016...

Id be very shocked if the Rangers dont give the Pens this years pick. Like blown away.

It "should" be an absolute no brainer for the Rangers to give the pens this years pick.
1- Next years draft is better in top pick and top 10 talent and depth
2- If they want to trade a 1st rnd pick to get better now then they can trade the 2026 1st which is more valuable and they can attach top 3-13 protection on it again

Not just Mckenna but Roobroeck, Lin, Verhoeff, Preston, Bjorck, Belchetz, Stenberg would probably ALL be in the convo for #1 pick if they were drafted this season instead of next season.

It "should" be an absolute no brainer for the Rangers to give the pens this years pick.
1- Next years draft is better in top pick and top 10 talent and depth
2- If they want to trade a 1st rnd pick to get better now then they can trade the 2026 1st which is more valuable and they can attach top 3-13 protection on it again

Not just Mckenna but Roobroeck, Lin, Verhoeff, Preston, Bjorck, Belchetz, Stenberg would probably ALL be in the convo for #1 pick if they were drafted this season instead of next season.
- pens4life-66

I actually never thought about that 2nd point.

Not just Mckenna but Roobroeck, Lin, Verhoeff, Preston, Bjorck, Belchetz, Stenberg would probably ALL be in the convo for #1 pick if they were drafted this season instead of next season.
- drummer829

It is something to keep in mind. Even if they don't get McKenna, there are still other top prospects available next year. We'll see if the Pens end up that low though. Kind of amazing that they punted last year as soon as they started adding guys like Hayes and Glass and still didn't get a top 10 pick.

Jesse Marshall said Jackson Smith is essentially Joe Morrow -- not sure I want another one of those.
- j.boyd919

First time I've heard that comparison. Smith seems to me like the defenseman most likely to break out as #1 after Schaefer. His defensive and physical game seems much stronger than Morrow's ever was. I have him at #10 so he'd be a decent pick IMO.

According to *ahem* Dan kingerski the pens have emerged as front runners for Isaac Howard. So any bets on no first round draft pick again?

According to *ahem* Dan kingerski the pens have emerged as front runners for Isaac Howard. So any bets on no first round draft pick again?
- 10inchTerror

Even if the Pens get NYRs 1st round pick, I don’t think TBL wants them. I think it’ll be a prospect for prospect swap. Something like Pickering and a 2nd for Howard. Then you use a 1st this year to restock a dman.

I’d even check how badly they'd want to get rid out of Mcdonagh’s contract. Im sure they’d love to upgrade on defense after getting bounced the first round. Maybe taking Mcdonagh or another “bad” contract from TBL might lower the Howard price.

Pens then flip Mcdonagh at the deadline with 50% retained for a 2nd rounder 🤷‍♂️

According to *ahem* Dan kingerski the pens have emerged as front runners for Isaac Howard. So any bets on no first round draft pick again?
- 10inchTerror

That's a tough call, but I think it might be worth it. Howard probably has as much if not more upside than anyone they'd pick at 11 and is much closer to the NHL.

I'd hope to get him for multiple lesser assets, but our first would be like McGroarty for Yager.

Jesse Marshall said Jackson Smith is essentially Joe Morrow -- not sure I want another one of those.
- j.boyd919

That's a pretty random comparison. Smith is bigger, more physical and has a much better rounded game. So basically all they have in common is that they are both excellent skaters who can move the puck. I think Jesse must have just desperately wanted to compare him to someone who was formerly in the Pens prospect pool.

I actually think that in a few years he might be on par with Schaffer. If we had the #5 pick, he would probably be the guy I take. I expect he will go back to Jr's for one more year and then be ready to come up.

That's a tough call, but I think it might be worth it. Howard probably has as much if not more upside than anyone they'd pick at 11 and is much closer to the NHL.

I'd hope to get him for multiple lesser assets, but our first would be like McGroarty for Yager.
- Tojo.

Yeah, seems like an overpayment by giving away the #11 without at least knowing who will be there. But then again, Dubas overpaid for McGroaty to a team who had very little leverage also... but I wouldnt hate it because the fit is so perfect.

I'd much prefer and think these are fair:
Ponomorev and a 2nd.
A 2nd this year and a 2nd next year.
Maybe our 1st & 3rd for Howard and Tampa's 2nd.
McGroaty straight up.

Howard is really exactly what we need right now. A fast, talented LW who is fully NHL ready. He immediately leapfrogs McGroaty on the depth chart.

I could totally see Howard-Crosby-Rackell being a very good line next season.

According to *ahem* Dan kingerski the pens have emerged as front runners for Isaac Howard. So any bets on no first round draft pick again?
- 10inchTerror

Lightning have no leverage. Howard shouldn’t garner a 1st

Even if the Pens get NYRs 1st round pick, I don’t think TBL wants them. I think it’ll be a prospect for prospect swap. Something like Pickering and a 2nd for Howard. Then you use a 1st this year to restock a dman.

I’d even check how badly they'd want to get rid out of Mcdonagh’s contract. Im sure they’d love to upgrade on defense after getting bounced the first round. Maybe taking Mcdonagh or another “bad” contract from TBL might lower the Howard price.

Pens then flip Mcdonagh at the deadline with 50% retained for a 2nd rounder 🤷‍♂️
- drummer829

McDonagh was still very good last year. Don’t think they have any intentions in trading him.

Lightning have no leverage. Howard shouldn’t garner a 1st
- j.boyd919

This feels so hard to guage. It depends on how many teams are bidding. But it also depends on how many teams Howard is willing to sign with.

This feels so hard to guage. It depends on how many teams are bidding. But it also depends on how many teams Howard is willing to sign with.
- Tojo.

Yeah, every team is going to have a sign and trade stipulation. I still don't think its entirely clear why he doesnt want to sign with Tampa. I do think that Pittsburgh would be a perfect landing spot for him given the big gaping hole we have at LW.

Yeah, seems like an overpayment by giving away the #11 without at least knowing who will be there. But then again, Dubas overpaid for McGroaty to a team who had very little leverage also... but I wouldnt hate it because the fit is so perfect.

I'd much prefer and think these are fair:
Ponomorev and a 2nd.
A 2nd this year and a 2nd next year.
Maybe our 1st & 3rd for Howard and Tampa's 2nd.
McGroaty straight up.

Howard is really exactly what we need right now. A fast, talented LW who is fully NHL ready. He immediately leapfrogs McGroaty on the depth chart.

I could totally see Howard-Crosby-Rackell being a very good line next season.
- MacPatty

Rakell should stay with Malkin. Malkin looked 8 years younger with Rakell at the end of the year.

Yeah, every team is going to have a sign and trade stipulation. I still don't think its entirely clear why he doesnt want to sign with Tampa. I do think that Pittsburgh would be a perfect landing spot for him given the big gaping hole we have at LW.
- MacPatty

If he wanted a chance to compete for an NHL spot now with a good center, we'd be a great choice. Could set up a nice battle with Howard, McGroarty, and Koivunen as our top 3 LWs. Sounds like he wanted his choice as much as anything and maybe that Tampa has their top lines locked in.

Button had Howard at 43, Wheeler at 55, so he's right about where McGroarty is and probably has a little more skill versus McGroarty's better all around game. (Although Howard gets solid marks for defense). Who is better is probably more a matter of what the line needs.

If he wanted a chance to compete for an NHL spot now with a good center, we'd be a great choice. Could set up a nice battle with Howard, McGroarty, and Koivunen as our top 3 LWs. Sounds like he wanted his choice as much as anything and maybe that Tampa has their top lines locked in.

Button had Howard at 43, Wheeler at 55, so he's right about where McGroarty is and probably has a little more skill versus McGroarty's better all around game. (Although Howard gets solid marks for defense). Who is better is probably more a matter of what the line needs.
- Tojo.

From what I have seen of them all, Howard and Koivunen are on a different level from McGroarty. Howard and Koivunen look like guys who can create and drive plays. McGroarty always seems to just be hanging around.

Not trying to be a bummer on McGroarty but he looks a lot more like Sam Poulin than anyone seems willing to admit. A good enough all around player but with weak skating and no elite skill that can overcome that deficit.

Why are you guys saying WIN and now TB have no leverage? They can simply do nothing and get a 2nd round pick when the player leaves.

In McG's case, WIN would've got a mid 2nd rounder, so no reason for them to oblige the player without something of more value than that. With Howard it would be a very late 2nd rounder, but again I think they don't want to give the player what he wants without getting a decent bit more than that in return.

From what I have seen of them all, Howard and Koivunen are on a different level from McGroarty. Howard and Koivunen look like guys who can create and drive plays. McGroarty always seems to just be hanging around.

Not trying to be a bummer on McGroarty but he looks a lot more like Sam Poulin than anyone seems willing to admit. A good enough all around player but with weak skating and no elite skill that can overcome that deficit.
- MacPatty

If your argument is he's just a better version of Poulin, you're probably trying to convince the wrong guy lol. I obviously appreciate that type of player.

Big difference is Poulin was a reach that they hoped would improve into a top 6 complimentary guy but never did. McGroarty has always been a highly regarded prospect.

Why are you guys saying WIN and now TB have no leverage? They can simply do nothing and get a 2nd round pick when the player leaves.

In McG's case, WIN would've got a mid 2nd rounder, so no reason for them to oblige the player without something of more value than that. With Howard it would be a very late 2nd rounder, but again I think they don't want to give the player what he wants without getting a decent bit more than that in return.
- MickV

The leverage is will they get equal value for a guy that is about a top 50 prospect predraft? I haven't seen anyone say they can get him for less than a 2nd+.

The leverage is will they get equal value for a guy that is about a top 50 prospect predraft? I haven't seen anyone say they can get him for less than a 2nd+.
- Tojo.

But they can simply tell other teams they aren't moving him for less than a certain return, and everybody knows they have the option of not doing anything and getting that 2nd rounder.

On top of that, they don't want to send a message to future first rounders that they will move them to whatever team they want for a low return. So it's also in their own interest to not cave in for a lesser return.

Hence, that is leverage in negotiations with teams. They can draw a line in the sand and everybody knows they won't cross it because they don't have to.

But they can simply tell other teams they aren't moving him for less than a certain return, and everybody knows they have the option of not doing anything and getting that 2nd rounder.

On top of that, they don't want to send a message to future first rounders that they will move them to whatever team they want for a low return. So it's also in their own interest to not cave in for a lesser return.

Hence, that is leverage in negotiations with teams. They can draw a line in the sand and everybody knows they won't cross it because they don't have to.
- MickV

We're probably arguing semantics to some extent. I'm a bit open on what is the right return because I don't know how many teams can actually bid for him and sign him.

But if I'm Tampa, I'm looking for whatever is the the best trade I can get. They'll get better than that 2nd. Will they get full value though which is probably a mid first or comparable prospect. They lose some leverage if they wait until he starts the college season, so I expect them going public was to get trade discussions moving.

I don't think it's a first round issue as much as a college player issue. It's tricky that you can't sign them early and they can choose to be UFAs much sooner than other prospects. This is happening every year. Taking a stand and just taking a second at the end of the 2027 draft wouldn't be worth it to me.