One hundred years ago Madison Square Garden hired Toronto-based university manager Conn Smythe to create a Rangers roster for the team's inaugural (1926-27) season.
A century after that fateful day The Maven has asked one of the most brilliant sportscasters and Rangers analysts to dissect the 2025-26 Blueshirts – for better and worse.
Rich Ackeman has studied Mike Sullivan's team inside and out. Here's what he believes:
"The Rangers appear to be a giant jigsaw puzzle with the pieces spread all over the floor. How it looks come April is anyone's guess but it will be on Chris Drury and his hand-picked coach Mike to make it a pretty picture.
"The three biggest moves Drury made this summer included shedding more salary, signing Vladislav Gavrikov, and hiring Sullivan. Another Boston University product, Sully comes in after a decade in Pittsburgh that includes a Stanley Cup.
"The Rangers, as of now, don't look a lot different from last year. They are top-heavy and have a lot of questions along with high hopes for the bottom half of the roster.
"Not even 18 months removed from a conference final they still have plenty of talent and how Sullivan is able to utilize it and maximize it is the big question.
"Drury has tried to re-shape this team to show more grit and muscle but it's still a work in progress. Up front, J.T. Miller was brought in to spark the team and lead them to the postseason last year. It didn't happen and he remains in the spotlight as the catalyst to this team.
"The $64,000 question for Sullivan is whether the talented but enigmatic Mika Zibanejad will line-up behind Miller as the second line center or with him. An even bigger question is whether Zibanejad's regression last season was a sign of age or just an aberration.
"Artemi Panarin is entering the final year of his deal. He might be one of the team's best-ever free agent signings but his uneven playoff performances still leave everyone wanting more.
"At 33 – and soon to be 34 at the end of October – he shows no signs of slowing down but is never going to be confused with Matthew Tkachuk. Will Cuylle showed he can be a future force – and captain – and there's still the reliable Vinny Trochek but after that it gets interesting.
"Alexis Lafrenière played his way into a big contract and then played as if he didn't deserve one. We've seen the best of the former Number One pick overall...and we've also seen some uninspiring play. Which one will we see more of this year?
An Expert's Look At The Rangers Real Problems
When I need a perfect X-Ray of the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers" target="_blank">Rangers</a>, I go directly to the Original Roundtable expert Jess Rubenstein.
"The time might be now for former first round picks Brennan Othmann and Gabe Perrault. Both offer loads of potential but is it fair or realistic to ask them to be a major contributing factor?
"And of course, there's Matt Rempe. His potential appears to be as big as his frame but can Sullivan unlock it and turn him into a consistent bottom six force?
"Give David Quinn a lot of credit for swallowing a lot of pride and coming back to the organization as an assistant. His return should be a huge benefit to Adam Fox and the D-corps.
"The former Norris Trophy-winner hasn't come close to resembling that form the last two years. Perhaps the long summer, good health, Gavrikov's arrival and Quinn will get him back on track.
"Speaking of good health, Braden Schneider had been playing with a bad shoulder for two years! Off-season surgery and time to heal should help him fulfill his potential and perhaps establish him as a future captain. Will Borgen exceeded expectations after arriving from Seattle but Carson Soucy didn't quite meet those placed on him after coming over.
"The best part of this team is the goaltending of Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick. That's one area the coaching staff doesn't have to worry about. In fact both should be better with the additions of Gavrikov and Quinn.
"Last season was awful from top to bottom with nobody exempt from blame. But this is a new season. There's a lot to like about this team – and a lot of questions.
"Sullivan's biggest challenge will be to get this team to play faster, meaner and more consistently. He needs to make them a team that opponents don't like and the fans do.
"Right now, the Rangers should be in the middle of a crowded pack in the Eastern Conference. However, the puzzle could look different in the spring. Make that MUST look different in the spring!"