Rangers’ Offseason Hinges on Two UFA Targets — And the Clock Is Ticking

The New York Rangers just wrapped up what insiders are calling one of the most humiliating campaigns in franchise history. Finishing dead last in the Eastern Conference with a brutal 34-39-9 record, the Blueshirts aren’t just looking for a tweak — they’re reportedly staring down a full-scale roster overhaul.

With free agency set to open on July 1, general manager Chris Drury is allegedly under massive pressure to deliver. According to The Athletic’s Peter Baugh, the Rangers have pinpointed two specific free-agent forwards as priority targets: Seattle Kraken winger Bobby McMann and Buffalo Sabres power forward Beck Malenstyn.

And here’s where it gets interesting: if either — or both — of these players actually hit the open market, the Rangers are expected to pounce. Sources close to the situation claim the front office views them as essential pieces in reshaping a forward group that has repeatedly failed to deliver in high-leverage moments.

McMann Brings the Firepower

Bobby McMann is coming off a career-defining season. The 30-year-old netted 29 goals — a personal best — splitting time between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Seattle Kraken. But what has scouts buzzing is his torrid 10-goal burst in just 18 games after Seattle acquired him at the trade deadline.

Insiders say McMann’s combination of size, blazing speed, and a finishing touch makes him an ideal candidate for a Rangers team desperate to inject offense into its top six. One league source told us: “If he’s available, New York is going to be all over him. They can’t afford another year of inconsistent scoring.”

Malenstyn Brings the Pain

Beck Malenstyn, 28, offers a completely different skill set — and one that Rangers fans have been screaming for. The Sabres’ wrecking ball set a franchise record for hits in 2025-26 while helping Buffalo push all the way to the second round of the playoffs.

While Malenstyn isn’t going to be mistaken for a top-line sniper, his relentless forechecking, raw physicality, and nonstop motor could make him a cult hero at Madison Square Garden. As one unnamed scout put it: “He’s the kind of player who makes everyone around him play bigger. That’s exactly the energy this team is missing.”

Cap Space? Not a Problem

Despite the doom and gloom around the team, the Rangers’ cap situation is reportedly one of the healthiest in the league. PuckPedia projects New York to have roughly $26.5 million in available cap space this summer — giving Drury ample room to make serious moves without getting creative.

Neither McMann nor Malenstyn would command a massive payday relative to the superstar market. According to AFP Analytics, Malenstyn is projected to sign a three-year deal worth around $2.64 million annually, while McMann could land a four-year pact with an average annual value of $5.3 million.

Those price tags make both players realistic, no-brainer targets for a franchise that needs to change its culture — fast. As the clock ticks toward July 1, all eyes are on Chris Drury to see whether he actually pulls the trigger or lets another offseason slip away.