1. Lazarus: Igor Shesterkin has to be at the top of his game:

The New York Rangers have a ton of talented players on their roster like Adam Fox, Mika Zibanejad, and Artemi Panarin, but these three players are nowhere near as important as Shesterkin. If the preseason was any indication of what we might see from this group in 2023-24, they're only going to go as far as Shesterkin takes them. His numbers were strong in 2022-23, but not quite as impressive as his Vezina Trophy-winning season the year before. If Shesterkin can get back to the top of his game, the Rangers can be scary.

1. Mugno: Sir Kakko-lot:

Based on how training camp and the preseason have developed, it seems Kaapo Kakko is the candidate to breakout, as he will get his shot on the top line with the Zibanejad, Kreider duo. After a career-best 40-point season playing on “The Kid Line” with Alexis Lafreniere and Filip Chytil, he will have more ice time and potentially powerplay time. Coming off of pandemic-affected and injury-derailing seasons, it’s not a long shot to say the 2019 2nd overall pick can rack up 50 plus.

2. Lazarus: The Rangers can't rely on their power play to provide all the offense:

As every hockey fan knows, the Rangers had a very disappointing four-games to three first-round losses to the Devils last season. There was one common theme in the four games that the Rangers lost in that series, they didn't score a power play goal. In the three games that they won, their man-advantage unit was able to convert. New York finished with the league's 7th best power play last season (24.1%), but now that they are without Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko, it will be interesting to see if they can maintain that success. At 5-on-5 production, the Rangers finished toward the bottom of the league, skating to a 49.10 expected goals percentage and a 2.55 expected goals per 60 minutes, so hopefully the new coaching staff and boost those numbers. As every hockey fan knows, the Rangers had a very disappointing four-games to three first-round losses to the Devils last season. There was one common theme in the four games that the Rangers lost in that series, they didn't score a power play goal. In the three games that they won, their man-advantage unit was able to convert. New York finished with the league's 7th best power play last season (24.1%), but now that they are without Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko, it will be interesting to see if they can maintain that success. At 5-on-5 production, the Rangers finished toward the bottom of the league, skating to a 49.10 expected goals percentage and a 2.55 expected goals per 60 minutes, so hopefully the new coaching staff and boost those numbers.

2. Mugno: Lafren-yay or Lafrie-nay

There is not a lot to debate with the imminent takeoff of Kaapo Kakko. The concern is with Alexis Lafreniere. Since 2021, the former 1st overall pick has posted 44 even-strength goals, which is 3rd in the club since his NHL debut. With no powerplay time, and third-line minutes, as well as a rotating door of coaches and systems, evidence supports his struggles. All in all, the time is now, and his preseason did not signify many strides from his invisible post-season performance. Any signs of his junior days would cut the tension, as the Rangers will need the 21-year-old if they want to make it anywhere this year.

Most-likely Scenario:

Lazarus: Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox shine bright, boosting the Rangers to another playoff birth, but the team falls short of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals.

Mugno: The Rangers earn a top-three position in the division and see growth in young talent, contending for their first championship in 30 years.

Worst-case Scenario:

Lazarus: Laviolette's coaching style doesn't translate to the current roster and the strength of the Eastern Conference results in the Rangers missing out on the playoffs.

Mugno: Lafreniere and Kakko fail to break out, and Panarin struggles again in the post-season.

There is still pressure within the locker room for the Rangers to win a Stanley Cup, but as far as the outside noise goes, that's quieted down a bit from last year.