Where Rangers new-look defense stands after frenzied overhaul

The Rangers defense corps received a bit of a makeover. In a series of moves on the first day of free agency Wednesday, president and general manager Chris Drury revamped the Blueshirts blue line in more ways than one to add some much-needed puck-moving abilities and two-way elements. Most notably, the Rangers’ second defense pair will look a lot different than it has the last two seasons.Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mollie Walker about the inside buzz on the Rangers.

Sean Durzi was a crucial piece of the Rangers’ return for Vincent Trocheck in a deal with the Mammoth.Coming to New York as part of a package with forward prospect Cole Beaudoin and a third-round pick in 2027, the 27-year-old Durzi is an offensive-minded defenseman with notable playmaking abilities from the blue line. Not only can he quarterback the second power-play unit, but Durzi is also highly regarded for his transition skills.

Breaking the puck out was an issue for the Rangers last season, which made it a priority trait this offseason. The expectation is he will line up on the right side of Marcus Pettersson, whom the Rangers acquired from Vancouver in exchange for a top-10 protected first-round pick in 2030. Pettersson, 30, eases what was a considerable drop-off from Vladislav Gavrikov on the left side.Having averaged over 20 minutes per game in each of the last four seasons, Pettersson is also a bona fide top four defender. There is familiarity there with head coach Mike Sullivan, who had Pettersson for parts of seven seasons in Pittsburgh. Both Durzi and Pettersson have term remaining on their respective contracts.

While Durzi carries a cap hit of $6 million over each of the next two seasons (10-team no-trade list), Pettersson is signed through 2030-31 with a no-move clause that modifies to a 15-team no-trade list in the final three years of the deal. Drury made room for the two new D by trading Will Borgen to t...