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The New York Rangers have kicked off the 2025-26 campaign with a 6-3-0 record, a strong start that becomes even more impressive given the injury troubles the team has faced. Both of the team's top two goaltenders, Igor Shesterkin and Joonas Korpisalo, are currently on injured reserve. Shesterkin is sidelined for the entire season, while Korpisalo is expected to miss a few more weeks. Additionally, center Joe Veleno has also landed on IR, leaving a significant hole on the fourth line.
Despite these setbacks, the Rangers have been winning consistently, particularly on home ice. The team is a perfect 5-0-0 at Madison Square Garden this season, a dramatic reversal from their struggles at home last year. If New York can maintain this level of play, they will likely be buyers ahead of the NHL trade deadline, especially with the salary cap relief created by Shesterkin's absence—he is the highest-paid goaltender in the league.
However, if team president and general manager Chris Drury decides to move assets, there are a few trade chips on the roster. One player to watch is forward Oliver Bjorkstrand, who signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract in free agency. Vincent Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic (subscription required) notes that Bjorkstrand is not the only name to monitor. Defenseman Braden Schneider is another player New York has already explored trading, and Bjorkstrand joins him as a candidate after his summer signing. Fellow forward Eeli Tolvanen, who is on a one-year, $1.5 million deal, falls into the same category, according to Mercogliano.
Bjorkstrand has been playing on the fourth line, averaging just 10:42 of ice time per game—the lowest among any player who has appeared in all nine games. Schneider is set to become a restricted free agent again after the 2026-27 season. The Rangers must decide whether he fits into their long-term plans on the blue line after investing five draft picks in defensemen in the 2026 NHL Draft, including No. 5 overall pick Alberts Smits, and acquiring Marcus Pettersson and Sean Durzi via trades. Given his draft pedigree and age, Schneider could still be used as the centerpiece of a trade to bring back a middle-six forward with upside.
Tolvanen was signed just before training camp to bolster the middle-six forward group. He has skated on a line with Will Cuylle and Noah Laba all season and has performed well, recording four points (three goals, one assist) and a plus-minus rating of +6, the best mark on the team through nine games. He also contributes defensively with 10 blocked shots and 14 hits, making him one of only four players with double digits in both categories this season.
As long as the team keeps winning, none of these players are likely to be moved. But if the playoffs become an unattainable goal, moves will be made.