What's Left for the Rangers? Five Remaining UFA Defensemen They Could Target

The majority of the New York Rangers offseason business centered around revamping their blue line. They completely rebuilt their second pair by acquiring Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson, drafted a whole new crop of puck-moving defenders, including fifth overall draft pick Alberts Smits, and still have some fringe pieces who could fight for an opening night roster spot out of camp this season.

As things stand, similar to the forwards, the Rangers surely don't need to add any more defenseman to this roster, especially with a depleted free agent class, right?

However, there are scenarios in which it could make sense to add at least one more, whether it be on an actual contract or a professional tryout. But before we get into that, let's take a look at where things currently stand with the organization's blue line.

Gavrikov - Fox
Pettersson - Durzi
Smits - Schneider
Robertson - Iorio
Vaakanainen - Morrow
Fortescue - Del Gaizo
Dorrington - Trudeau
Cholowski

There are still plenty of question marks surrounding that third pair. Smits is not guaranteed a roster spot, and while many folks (myself included) believe he will make the team out of camp, that decision holds major implications for who slots in on the right side of that pair. At the time of writing this, it feels as though that job belongs to Braden Schneider, who just signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract extension to avoid arbitration. It remains to be seen if the Rangers are still interested in Schneider long term, or if he will be moved between now and free agency next year.

Taking Schneider out of the equation would have complicated things, because you want someone with experience to play alongside a rookie like Smits, meaning younger players like Scott Morrow, Vincent Iorio—who at the time are still RFA's—Drew Fortescue, or even Matthew Robertson would not make for ideal parters on that third pair. That's not to mention that Fortescue and Robertson both shoot left, and the Rangers don't like to play guys—especially young players—on their off side.

In that scenario, it could make sense for the Rangers to turn to the slim pickings that remain on the open market. What are some names to consider? Let's take a look.

John Klingberg

In terms of a veteran, right-shot defenseman who, in a sheltered role, can be good to have alongside a rookie, John Klingberg is likely as good as it gets. Far from the 50-point player he once was, Klingberg has dealt with a multitude of injuries in recent years. An injury that required hip surgery put an end to his season in 2023, and the recovery process was an uphill battle throughout his time in Toronto. Nonetheless, Klingberg finally had a proper bounce back of sorts, dressing in 56 games with the San Jose Sharks last season, collecting 27 points along the way.

With Braden Schneider's future uncertain, and a surplus of young players who would benefit from full-time minutes in Hartford as opposed to a seat with a view that costs the average fan a Manhattan rent payment at the World's Most Famous Arena, signing a capable veteran to be your seventh defenseman can make some sense. Is Klingberg above that at this point in his career? He very well could be. But if the Rangers trade Schneider for additional help in the forward group, they're going to need a veteran to play along side Alberts Smits or whoever makes the team in place of him.

With that in mind, Klingberg could be a valuable get on a bonus-heavy, one-year deal. But, again, this idea only makes sense if the plan is indeed to trade Schneider at some point in the near future.