39-36-7 85 points (5th Metro, 11th conference, 22nd overall)
3.11 GF/GP, 12th; 3.11 GA/GP, 19th
12.6 PP%, 31st; 72.2 PK%, 31st
Key losses: D K’Andre Miller, F Chris Kreider
Key additions: D Vladislav Gavrikov, D Scott Morrow, F Taylor Raddysh
Expected lineup:
Will Cuylle – J.T. Miller -Mika Zibanejad
Artemi Panarin - Vincent Trocheck – Alexis Lafreniere
Brett Berard – Jusso Parssinen – Taylor Raddysh
Adam Edstrom - Sam Carrick – Matt Rempe
Vladislav Gavrikov – Adam Fox
Braden Schneider – Will Borgen
Carson Soucy – Scott Morrow
Igor Shesterkin
Jonathan Quick
PP1: Panarin – Miller – Trocheck - Zibanejad - Fox
PP2: Lafreniere – Cuylle – Berard -Morrow - Gavrikov
5x5:
The Rangers got to a strong start to the season, but the wins masked underlying issues that came to the fore thereafter. New York’s power play, which was a major reason for the run to the Eastern Conference Finals and strong beginning to the season, collapsed. As a result, New York fell from 278 to 255 goals.
Defensively, the Rangers struggled both at even strength and when shorthanded. Their man-to-man system was an epic failure, as the blue line lacked the foot speed to keep up while the forwards did a poor job of coming back to help. Igor Shesterkin had his own issues as well, ceding the net to Jonathan Quick, who regressed substantially after an excellent first season in New York.
No specific reason exists for the absolute collapse both at even stretch and on the power play. Culprits exist up and down the lineup, the result of which was the firing of Peter Laviolette and hiring of Mike Sullivan. Issues existed across the board, with nearly every Rangers’ numbers falling off substantially from the prior season.
The only player whose overall production improved was Will Cuylle, who looks like he will be a power forward with whom to reckon with for years. In addition, J.T. Miller, named the franchise’s 29 captain on September 16, filled the role of the first line center, moving Mika Zibanejad to wing, where he somewhat thrived after several rough months. Beyond that, from the forwards, few positives existed, though each key player’s numbers were closer to their norm following the acquisition of Miller.
If Zib stays at wing, the top-six is pretty much set, as seen in the expected lineup. In addition, the fourth line also should line up as projected, as when Adam Edstrom, Sam Carrick and Matt Rempe were on the ice together, they brought energy and physical play. The third trio depends on if Jusso Parssinen can man the spot. If he can, Brett Berard, who dealt with a torn labrum last season, is the favorite to get one spot with Taylor Raddysh, Brennan Othmann and Gabe Perreault in contention for the other spot.
Adam Fox’s advanced metrics were good, but he lacked that same playmaking ability we saw in the past. He will greatly benefit from skating next to Vladislav Gavrikov, who would be the best partner he ever had. That would free up his offensive ability to create plays. Scott Morrow would be the second best offensive blueliner if he breaks camp with the team and starts.
PP
The power play plummeted from 26.4 (3rd in 2023-24) to just 17.6. 28th in the league. The system remained the same, but teams shaded to prevent the one-timer from Zibanejad while Kreider’s mastery of the deflection goal faded. Laviolette refused to fully change the personnel even as the top unit scuffled mightily.
Assistant coach David Quinn, who coached New York from 2018-19 to 2020-21, might oversee the power play. The Rangers were solid under Quinn, which could aid the man advantage. Will Cuylle needs to see more time up front while Morrow could QB the second unit. Look for Fox to rebound manning the first unit from the point.
All stats courtesy of naturalstattrick.com, moneypuck.com, hockeyviz.com, allthreezones.com, hockey-reference.com, eliteprospects.com unless otherwise noted.