Blockbuster Trade Idea Swaps Top-5 Picks As Rangers Make Big Move

The NHL Draft is a prime time for teams to come up with fanciful blockbuster trade ideas as they look to either move up or down the draft to get what they need. Several Top 5 picks have been said to be out there this year for the right price.

This big-time trade idea comes to us from Bleacher Report, and features two Top-5 picks swapping hands, along with an NHL-established recent first-rounder:

New York Rangers receive:

No. 2 overall pick in 2026 NHL Draft (from Sharks)

San Jose Sharks receive:

No. 5 overall pick (from NYR)
No. 26 overall pick (from NYR)
Braden Schneider, RFA

The Sharks have made their intentions known of their willingness to trade their 2nd overall pick for NHL help now, particularly on the blueline. Whether Schneider is exactly what they were looking for is unknown. But he is a former first-rounder (#19 overall in 2020), and logged a career-high 20:27 of average ice-time this past season. The 6'3", 205-pounder also dished out 163 hits while blocking 141 shots.

Schneider is currently without a contract, as he's a restricted free agent, and the Rangers have a big decision to make on him. He provided steady play this season, but failed to make inroads offensively, as he finished with just two goals and 18 points.

Perhaps with a fresh opportunity and more responsibility on the rebuilding Sharks defense corps, he could take the next step. He does have "untapped potential."

Sharks could own a boatload of first-round picks if they move off No. 2

But this proposed trade would do more than that for the Sharks. It also allows them to stay in the Top 5 of the draft, and select another impact player, while also getting another young piece late in the first round. They also own the #20 pick as well.

For the Rangers, writes Gretz, moving up to No. 2 allows them to draft "a young cornerstone player to rebuild around for the future." It also takes the quandary of what kind of contract to offer Schneider off their plate.