With the Free Agent Frenzy over, the New York Rangers are most likely done making major moves, at least for now.
Here’s what their forward line combinations may look like to start the 2025-26 season:
First Line: Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, Alexis Lafrenière
This is a line that saw a ton of success during the 2023-24 season, but was broken up during the 2024-25 campaign after experiencing some offensive struggles.
However, the Rangers should continue to roll out this trio, as Artemi Panarin seems to get the best out of both Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafrenière, while Panarin had his best statistical season playing alongside these two forwards, propelling himself into the Hart Trophy conversation.
Trocheck’s steady two-way game balances out the line, and in order for Lafrenière to continue improving, it’s best to play him alongside two teammates he’s most comfortable with on the ice.
At their best, this line has shown they could be one of the most explosive from an offensive standpoint in the entire NHL, so it would be exciting to see them all together again.
Second Line: Will Cuylle, J.T. Miller, Mika Zibanejad
The big question going into the season is whether Mika Zibanejad will play at center or the wing.
Once the Rangers acquired Miller from the Vancouver Canucks, Zibanejad was moved to the wing in order to play alongside J.T. Miller and they were able to build a strong chemistry with each other.
Despite being listed as a winger, Zibanejad also took faceoffs, interchanging with Miller, which created an effective dynamic.
Will Cuylle’s presence on this line also provided a strong presence both on the defensive and offensive ends.
These three players share the same qualities of being versatile, two-way players as this trio can serve as both the team’s shutdown and most productive offensive line in any given game.
Third Line: Gabe Perreault, Juuso Parssinen, Jonny Brodzinski
Gabe Perreault will fight to make the Rangers’ opening-night roster and he’ll likely slot on the third line if he does make the team.
Juuso Parssinen provides an element of speed that could fare well alongside Perreault, who’s known for his offensive intangibles.
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Meanwhile, Jonny Brodzinski’s grit and grind style of play makes him the perfect bottom-six forward as he can fit in anywhere and with anyone.
Fourth Line: Adam Edström, Sam Carrick, Matt Rempe
Before Adam Edström suffered a season-ending injury, he played practically every game alongside his partner in crime, Sam Carrick.
The two forwards publicly expressed their enjoyment playing with each other, and it seemed to be a perfect fit, so Edström and Carrick playing together is a no-brainer.
When Matt Rempe was in the lineup, he mostly played on a line with Edström and Carrick. The size of both Rempe and Edström made them intimidating to go up against, and Rempe built a strong rapport with Carrick throughout the year.
This trio is exciting to watch due to their physicality and aggressive identity, the most ideal traits to have on a fourth line.