Marcus Pettersson put up 18 points in 82 games on Vancouver's blue line last season. Michael Reaves / Getty ImagesJuly 1, 2026 Updated 4:27 pm EDTThe New York Rangers are working on a deal to acquire left-shot defenseman Marcus Pettersson from the Vancouver Canucks for a return that is not yet known, according to a league source who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been completed.The 30-year-old Pettersson, who had 18 points in 82 games last season, is under contract through 2030-31 with a $5.5 million cap hit. The move does not make the Rangers younger, but it gives them a more balanced defensive group. Pettersson will likely slot in as the second-pair left defenseman behind Vladislav Gavrikov. Matthew Robertson and rookie Alberts Šmits would both be in the mix for the third-pair role.

Pettersson had to waive his no-movement clause to come to New York. Vancouver acquired Pettersson in January 2025 in a package that included a first-round pick it received from the Rangers for J.T. Miller. Pettersson has experience playing under now-Rangers coach Mike Sullivan in Pittsburgh. — Peter BaughWhat the Rangers are gettingPettersson had a difficult first full season in Vancouver. That’s predictable. A defensive-minded blueliner whose value is tied up in his ability to log minutes and prevent scoring chances against difficult competition, Pettersson was among the many players whose game suffered as a result of Vancouver’s structural failure throughout last season.Despite that, Vancouver still successfully limited scoring chances against far more effectively in Pettersson’s minutes than they did with any of their other defensemen on the ice. He still has his two-game and intelligence, and is something of a competitive engine for a locker room off of the ice.He seems like a very straightforward bet to bounce back in a healthier five-on-five environment. — Thomas DranceThis story will be updated.Jul 1, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms