4 Potential Offseason Trade Destinations for Rangers’ Adam Fox  – The Hockey Writers – New York Rangers

The New York Rangers shouldn’t trade Adam Fox, but if they do, what does that look like?

Fox had an interesting 2025-26 campaign, playing just 55 games, scoring nine goals and adding 44 assists for 53 points, maintaining just under a point-per-game average. Rangers fans are split down the middle on whether Fox truly is as valuable as the team believes he is, and with the team headed towards a retool, his name has come up in trade speculation.

Fox, who is 28 years old, might be the most underrated defender in the NHL. He had a tough season offensively and dealt with some adversity after being left off the American Olympic team, but there is no doubt he remains one of the best defenders in the world.

I forget how much of a bubble I’m in until I venture to other hockey communities and see people talking about Adam Fox like he’s washed.

NYR have a 62% goal share and 61% xGoal share with him on the ice this season. THIS Rangers team. They have a 42% goal share without him.

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 1, 2026

Despite his impressive numbers, there is a possibility the Rangers could try to take advantage of his trade value and trade him somewhere in the offseason. While I don’t believe they should, these are four teams that make sense to land him if the Rangers don’t plan to have him around next season.

It is worth noting Fox has a full no-movement clause and a $9.5 million cap hit, both of which make it tough to move him. However, if the Rangers are headed to a full-blown rebuild, Fox would likely be open to moving.

Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks have the cap space and the draft capital to make a move for Fox, and considering they seem to be ready to get back into contention next season, they could be an appealing team for Fox to consider.

With Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, and Kevin Korchinski among a group of future young stars that could help bring the Blackhawks closer to a Stanley Cup in the future, adding Fox would take them from a borderline playoff team to a legitimate contender right away, and it would speed up their rebuild.

San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks were in the hunt for a playoff spot for a while, and they seem like a team that will make it into the playoffs next season. The main issue with them is their lack of defensive depth. Adding Fox would make them one of the strongest teams in the Pacific Division.

Fox would likely be open to joining the Sharks. A young core in Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, and Sam Dickinson, combined with forward depth and strong goaltending, could make them an appealing place for Fox to play.

The Sharks also have the assets and cap space to make a move for Fox, and considering the position their team is in, which is coming out of a retool and into contention, it makes sense for them to be huge buyers this offseason.

Pittsburgh Penguins

There is speculation that the Penguins want to take a big swing this summer in hopes of making one last run with their current core, so acquiring a superstar defender in Fox makes perfect sense.

Paying both Fox and Erik Karlsson could be tough, so they may have to try to trade Karlsson this summer, but if they can create some flexibility somehow, they have the assets to make a deal, and Fox likely wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to play alongside one of the greatest players of all time, in Sidney Crosby.

The Penguins made the playoffs this season, and while they have been outmatched by the Philadelphia Flyers, they are closing in on being a championship contender very soon.

Acquiring Fox makes them a real playoff threat immediately.

Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings need good players, according to their general manager, and who better to bring in than Fox?

The Red Wings want to end their long playoff drought, so adding Fox to their depth chart likely gives them the strongest defensive depth in the NHL. Having both Fox and Moritz Seider on your team would make you a Stanley Cup favorite, and if the Red Wings have the chance to do that, they should.

There’s no reason Fox wouldn’t be open to joining the Red Wings. They have the core to be contenders, have a promising future, and have a solid coach behind their bench. After missing out on landing Quinn Hughes, who was traded to the Minnesota Wild, there’s no reason they shouldn’t pivot to Fox.

If Fox becomes available, there will be other teams interested in acquiring him. However, these four teams make a lot of sense, and could be among the frontrunners if the Rangers make the decision to move forward without him.

This will be a fun storyline to watch over the course of the summer.

As the 2025-26 season moves along, be sure to continue following The Hockey Writers as your source for news, updates, and more from around the NHL and the hockey world.