Earlier this month, Sean Durzi’s agent, Allan Walsh, ran into Marcus Pettersson at Canucks defenseman Filip Hronek’s wedding near Prague.
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Durzi and Pettersson had just become Rangers teammates 10 days prior, and Walsh was inclined to dial up his client so that he and Pettersson could say hello and exchange some words before getting on the ice together closer to the start of the 2026-27 season.
Because even though they became Blueshirts in separate trades, Durzi and Pettersson were brought to New York together.
The Rangers defense corps was instantly recalibrated upon the completion of their respective transactions on July 1.
Expected to forge the second pair, Durzi and Pettersson were identified as a potentially complementary duo that can bring mobility, production and reliable defensive play.
The admiration and respect they already have for one another was apparent during their introductory Zoom calls Thursday.
“I know Marcus’ game is incredible,” Durzi said. “You look at this D corps, it’s a solid D corps. It’s a lot of great players.
It’s an exciting D corps. I think whatever they have planned for me, I think that’s what I’m willing to do. If I’m lucky enough to play with Marcus, it’s an exciting pair.”
Added Pettersson: “I know Sean’s game. I know he’s a great skater. He can move the puck.
Offensive guy, but he’s got an edge to him as well. I played with John Marino, who he played with in Utah, and he only talked good things about him in his game. If we are a pair, great.
But it’s a great group of defensemen that we have, and I think we have some healthy competition there, too, where you can mix and match, and see what chemistry works, what pairings work.”
For Durzi, the trade to New York came as a bit of a surprise.
Having been along for the ride for the Arizona Coyotes relocation to Utah, the 27-year-old spent the past three seasons helping a young Mammoth team grow into its own before the club finally broke into the playoffs this past season.
Since it wasn’t his first trade — the Kings shipped him to Arizona in June 2023 — Durzi said he knew how to handle it.
“Initial shock, and then it’s: Get to work,” he said. “I’m a big believer in proving those who believe in you right, and I think having the opportunity to prove this staff with the Rangers right is exciting for me. That’s kind of a little bit of a kick of motivation in the middle of a long grinding summer, and I can’t wait.
It’s a lot of excitement. I’m going to give everything I have.”
On the other hand, Pettersson had to approve his trade to the Rangers by waiving his no-move clause.
Asked why the Rangers were a team he was willing to do that for, the Swedish blueliner cited the Original Six appeal and his history with head coach Mike Sullivan.
Pettersson played parts of seven seasons under Sullivan in Pittsburgh, including his career-best campaign in 2023-24, in which he posted 30 points (four goals, 26 assists) in 82 games.
“First off, as a person, I feel like me and Sully had a great relationship,” Pettersson said. “He’s a straightforward kind of guy. You’re never really wondering what you should do or where you’re at or stuff like that.
Very straightforward, clear communication. I love that about him. System-wise, I feel like it tends to play into my playing style.
I want to play a fast-paced style like he wants to play, and pressure on pucks.”
Sullivan isn’t the only Ranger Pettersson has familiarity with.
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The 30-year-old Pettersson also played with Mika Zibanejad for Team Sweden at the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship in Stockholm.
Getting to watch Zibanejad up close was helpful, Pettersson said, noting that they had some “great conversations” during their time as teammates for Tre Kronor.
Pettersson mentioned that Rangers captain J.T. Miller has also reached out as well. After spending the last season and a half in Vancouver, where Miller played almost six full seasons before returning to Manhattan, Pettersson said his Canucks teammates reached out and told him he was “going to love [Miller] and his family.”