Completed trade involving J.T. Miller and the Pittsburgh Penguins takes a massive turn: Per trusted Insider
Photo credit: NHL.com
As the 2025 NHL Draft is upon us, GM Chris Drury has finally made his on whether or not to send the 12th overall pick in the Draft to the Pittsburgh Penguins or send an unprotected pick next year. However, he has finally made his decision.
The New York Rangers were faced with a tough decision to make ahead of the NHL Draft. As a result of the J.T. Miller deal from the Vancouver Canucks, which added a 2025 1st-round draft pick in return for the veteran winger.
The New York Rangers could draft at 12th overall and pick another player to re-stock the depleted prospect pipeline in New York. Or they could get ahead of the game and send it to Pittsburgh to complete the trade once and for all.
With the 12th overall pick of the 2025 NHL Draft they Rangers were projected to pick someone like Jackson Smith, who could evolve into an NHL defenseman.
Corey Pronman - The Athletic - June 10th: "He's a 6-foot-3 defenseman who skates quite well. He's funky-looking at times, going 10-2 with his edges a bit too much, but he's a powerful, fluid skater who can easily get by checkers and skate pucks up ice."
GM Chris Drury has finally made his decision with the 12th overall draft pick
According to several reports, the New York Rangers have decided to send this year's 12th overall first-rounder to Pittsburgh to complete the J.T. Miller deal instead of deferring the transfer to 2026.
This now allows the New York Rangers to sign a big money RFA to an offer sheet and also gives them an asset they can use at the trade deadline if they need to.
Along with that the Rangers will now have a shot at someone like Gavin McKenna, Connor Bedard's cousin and forward of the Medicine Hat Tigers, who is currently setting the WHL on fire with his elite play, with their unprotected pick of the 2026 NHL Draft. Which is considered to be a loaded year.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 24 | 940 ANSWERS Completed trade involving J.T. Miller and the Pittsburgh Penguins takes a massive turn: Per trusted Insider Do you think GM Chris Drury made the right move with this year's first-round draft pick? | ||
| Yes | 588 | 62.6 % |
| No | 352 | 37.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
