Protected Draft Picks
With the 2025 Rangers 1st round pick that was acquired by the Penguins, I understand that it’s top-13 protected and transfers to their 2026 if in the top 13. I was curious to know if the Rangers would be able to trade that 2026 1st at the deadline this year, and then what would happen if they did and then had the 2025 pick land in the top 13.
Answer
That pick is eligible to be traded, as long as it's traded with the same conditions currently associated with it, or there are additional conditions that deal with the possible scenarios. If the Rangers traded the pick this year with no additional conditions, the new team would have that pick with exactly the same conditions that the Rangers currently have with it and the Canucks previously had with it: If the pick is Top 13 this year, it moves to a 2026 pick. However, the Rangers could also trade it with additional conditions. An example might be that they trade it and add that if the pick lands in the Top 13 and becomes a 2026 pick, if that 2026 pick is in the top 5 then instead the Penguins 2026 pick is transferred.
