The New York Rangers are currently projected to pick fifth overall in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft, a position that already gives them a strong opportunity to add an elite young player to their system. However, there is growing belief that the organization should think even bigger. Instead of simply staying put and selecting the best available player at No. 5, the Rangers could explore a bold move up the board in hopes of landing one of the draft’s most highly regarded prospects, Ivar Stenberg.
While the discussion around the top of the draft has mainly centered on presumptive first-overall favorite Gavin McKenna, another name has continued to gain major attention among scouts and executives around the league. That player is Stenberg, a highly skilled Swedish forward who has earned praise for being one of the most complete and polished two-way talents available in this draft class.
Reports and league speculation suggest that the San Jose Sharks, owners of the second-overall pick, may be open to listening to offers for their selection. If that turns out to be true, it could create a major opportunity for the Rangers to make an aggressive push up the draft order. Such a move would not only signal confidence in the franchise’s future direction, but it could also dramatically speed up their retooling process by adding a player many scouts believe has franchise-changing potential.
The belief behind this idea largely depends on the expectation that the Toronto Maple Leafs will select McKenna first overall. If Toronto does indeed take the consensus top prospect, Stenberg would likely become the next player available, making the second-overall selection extremely valuable.
For Rangers fans, the possibility of adding Stenberg should be incredibly exciting. Though he may not project as the kind of player who scores 120 points every season, his game is built around intelligence, consistency, defensive responsibility, and elite all-around play. He is widely viewed as the best two-way forward in the draft, and his style has even drawn comparisons to NHL superstar Aleksander Barkov.
Although Barkov plays center and Stenberg is expected to develop more as a winger, the comparison speaks volumes about the level of respect evaluators have for his game. Stenberg combines offensive instincts with maturity, defensive awareness, and strong puck management. Those qualities make him the kind of player coaches trust in every situation, whether it’s protecting a lead late in games or generating offense at critical moments.
For the Rangers, a player like Stenberg could fill an important long-term need. The team already possesses talented offensive players, but adding someone who can impact every area of the ice would bring greater balance to the lineup. He could eventually become the type of top-line winger capable of driving play, shutting down opposing stars, and contributing offensively without sacrificing defensive structure.
One of the immediate questions surrounding a potential Stenberg fit in New York would involve finding the right center to pair with him. However, the Rangers may already have a workable solution in veteran Vincent Trocheck. Even though Trocheck is now in his early 30s, he remains one of the club’s most reliable forwards and still plays a highly effective two-way game.
Pairing Stenberg alongside Trocheck could allow the young winger to develop in a stable environment while learning from a veteran who understands the demands of both ends of the ice. Trocheck’s competitiveness and experience could complement Stenberg’s skill set extremely well, potentially forming a line capable of handling difficult matchups while still producing offensively.
From San Jose’s perspective, there are understandable reasons why trading down could make sense. The Sharks have spent recent years building an impressive collection of young forwards and offensive talent. What their prospect pool still lacks, however, is a true top-pairing defenseman who can anchor the blue line for years to come.
That need could motivate San Jose to move back a few spots if they believe they can still secure an elite defensive prospect later in the top five. Defensemen such as Chase Reid and Carson Carels are viewed as strong possibilities in that range, meaning the Sharks could still address a major organizational weakness while also acquiring additional draft assets in the process.
The biggest challenge for the Rangers would obviously be constructing a trade package strong enough to convince San Jose to part with the second-overall pick. Moving from No. 5 to No. 2 is not a small jump, especially in a draft that features elite high-end talent near the top.
Still, New York may possess enough draft capital to make the conversation realistic. In addition to the fifth-overall pick, the Rangers also own another first-round selection later in the round. Packaging that extra first-rounder alongside the No. 5 pick could immediately make negotiations more appealing for the Sharks.
The Rangers also hold multiple third-round selections, which could be used to further sweeten the deal. A package including the fifth pick, the additional late first-rounder, and one or more mid-round picks might be enough to at least start serious discussions between the two organizations.
For San Jose, such a trade would allow them to remain inside the top five while also increasing the number of premium selections they control. In a rebuilding phase, accumulating extra assets can often be just as valuable as staying at a specific draft slot, especially if management believes there is little separation between several prospects.
Meanwhile, for the Rangers, the reward could be enormous. Landing a player like Stenberg would give the franchise a cornerstone piece capable of contributing for years to come. His well-rounded game, leadership qualities, and long-term upside fit exactly the kind of player teams build around during championship pursuits.
Interestingly, there is also another scenario that could work in New York’s favor. If Toronto unexpectedly decides to select Stenberg first overall instead of McKenna, then the Rangers could potentially move up and target McKenna himself. That possibility alone increases the value of the second-overall pick and further supports the idea that New York should at least investigate whether a trade is possible.
McKenna is viewed by many as the most naturally gifted offensive player in the draft, a true game-breaking scorer capable of transforming an offense. If he somehow became available at No. 2, the Rangers would almost certainly jump at the opportunity to acquire him.
Ultimately, the Rangers find themselves in a fascinating position heading into the 2026 NHL Draft. Holding the fifth-overall pick already guarantees access to a high-end prospect, but the organization may have a chance to do something much more aggressive and impactful.
Trading up is always risky, especially when valuable future assets are involved, but elite talent often requires bold decisions. If the Rangers truly believe Stenberg can become a franchise-defining player, then pursuing a move to second overall could be worth every bit of the cost.
For a team looking to remain competitive while also preparing for the future, this draft may represent a rare opportunity to reshape the organization in one dramatic move.
