Rangers Reunion With Veteran Forward Appears Unlikely

The New York Rangers have been busy reshaping their roster this offseason, making significant additions to strengthen both the NHL lineup and the organization’s depth.

After selecting nine players in the 2026 NHL Draft and bringing in 11 more through trades and free agency, New York enters the upcoming season in a much stronger position than it was at the end of the 2025-26 campaign. Even so, the front office is still exploring ways to improve the roster.

One area the Rangers continue to target is right wing. Alexis Lafreniere is currently projected to occupy the top spot on the depth chart, with Oliver Bjorkstrand and Taylor Raddysh expected to provide support behind him. Adding another proven top-nine forward remains a possibility as the team looks to strengthen its playoff hopes.

Despite continued speculation from fans, a reunion with veteran winger Vladimir Tarasenko does not appear to be a likely outcome.

Tarasenko Return Considered Unlikely

According to The Athletic’s Vincent Z. Mercogliano, the chances of bringing back either Patrick Kane or Vladimir Tarasenko are slim. Responding to questions about potential reunions, Mercogliano described both scenarios as “long shots,” noting that the veteran forwards are in the latter stages of their careers and remain unsigned.

While Kane has reportedly narrowed his options to the Chicago Blackhawks and Buffalo Sabres, there have been no comparable reports linking Tarasenko to a specific destination.

The 34-year-old winger, who turns 35 in December, has played for several teams since New York acquired him from the St. Louis Blues before the 2023 trade deadline. Following his stint with the Rangers, Tarasenko signed with the Ottawa Senators before being dealt to the Florida Panthers during the 2023-24 season. He later joined the Detroit Red Wings in free agency and was traded to the Minnesota Wild ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

Strong Season in Minnesota

Tarasenko enjoyed a productive season with the Wild, appearing in 75 games while recording 23 goals and 24 assists for 47 points. His 23-goal total matched his highest single-season output since the 2021-22 campaign, when he scored 34 goals with St. Louis.

He also contributed during Minnesota’s playoff run, tallying two goals and three assists in 11 postseason games while posting a plus-2 rating and averaging just over 14 minutes of ice time per contest.

Although a return to New York appears improbable, Tarasenko has shown he can still provide secondary scoring and veteran leadership. His recent production suggests he remains capable of filling a meaningful middle-six role for an NHL contender.