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[New York Rangers]

Exclusive: Why Dave Maloney continues to be ‘tribal caller’ in new role as Rangers TV analyst on MSG

Dave Maloney - MSG NetworksMSG Networks

Talk with Dave Maloney for any length of time and you pick up on a few things about the New York Rangers new television analyst on MSG Networks.

He’s extremely intelligent. That intelligence is often masked by his self-deprecating sense of humor. But neither trumps just how passionate he is about the Rangers.

“I do [bleed blue]. I really do,” Maloney told Forever Blueshirts on the RINK RAP podcast. “Obviously, this sport is a very passionate sport, it has a very passionate fan base … It’s just the ethos of how it works. … We all have innate biases to those things closest to us. So I have a passion, a bias to the Rangers. But what I hope to do is present it [during broadcasts] in a way that it’s not personal.

“I’m the tribal caller, the guys in the old Indian villages that called our tribe. Are we critical of the tribe sometimes? Certainly, because it becomes a reflection on us and we take it as reflection.”

Maloney’s passion for the Rangers runs deep. It was 51 years ago that the Rangers selected him in the first round (No. 14 overall) of the 1974 NHL Draft. Maloney debuted on Broadway at 18 years old, appearing in four games during the 1974-75 season.

He was a regular on the defense corps two seasons later, and in 1978-79 became the youngest captain in Rangers history. All of 22 years old at the time, Maloney helped lead the Rangers that season to the Stanley Cup Final, where they lost in five games to the Montreal Canadiens, upsetting the favored Islanders along the way.

That season, he was joined on the Rangers by his younger brother, Don.

“The most special time in my career,” big brother Dave called those seven seasons he and Don were Blueshirts teammates.

Maloney played 657 games in the NHL, 602 with the Rangers, and the rest in his final season with the Buffalo Sabres. Since 2005-06, he was Kenny Albert’s sidekick on Rangers radio broadcasts.

Dave Maloney is joining Kenny Albert in the booth!!@DaveMaloneyMSG | @NYRangers pic.twitter.com/xxJb1jYAty

— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) July 9, 2025

Now, he and Albert move into the television booth together, replacing Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti, who each retired after last season. Taking this step alongside Albert makes it all even more special for Maloney.

“He’s just terrific, the best in the business,” Maloney said about his longtime on-air partner. “The absence of ego is reassuringly frightening. He’s a special guy. He really is.”

When told that he is deserving of this latest opportunity with the Rangers, Maloney graciously deflected the compliment.

“I’m not sure I ever deserved anything. I like to think that through the results of hard work, I’ve earned at least a look. … I’m just thankful for the opportunity.”

Related: Ryan Reaves recalls late-night vodka shots and basketball with Artemi Panarin

‘It’s amazing where life takes you’: Rangers TV analyst Dave Maloney​

Maloney recounted how his first experience as a broadcaster was working alongside Kenny’s dad, legendary Rangers broadcaster Marv Albert. His fascinating and winding journey is not lost on Maloney.

“My first salvo in the booth was in the early 80’s when I got hurt in the playoffs and I ended up in the booth with Marv and Sal Messina as the third guy,” he explained. “Kenny was like 13 at that time (doing statistics for his father), and I got to know the Albert family well. So, it’s amazing where life takes you, right?”

Maloney worked outside of hockey for a number of years, though he did dabble in broadcasting, as well, including stints with Sports Channel, FOX, the Minnesota North Stars, and CTV in Canada.

He’s carried a certain perspective into the radio booth — and now on television — derived from his experience as an NHL player. It’s what balances his passion with compassion as he analyzes what’s going on.

“When the Rangers are good, my call is great! But the magic is when they’re not good to keep it on the up and up,” Maloney explained. “I respect the game so much … I don’t like the guys who played the game and only see the mistakes and don’t recognize that, hey, the game is really hard.”

So, too, is the broadcast business. And remaining tied to the same organization for half a century and all of your adult life.

At 68, Maloney is opening a new door and accepting a new challenge. He couldn’t be any happier than do it with the Rangers.

“I take great pride in being around one of the Original 6 franchises for this long and still be in a position where they say ‘OK, we’re going to tap this old guy on the shoulder and you’re going to continue to be a tribal caller.’ So, that’s awesome.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...ibal-caller-msg-network-analyst-kenny-albert/

 

[New York Rangers]

Top 10 New York Rangers prospects after 2025 NHL Draft, including Gabe Perreault

Wendell Cruz-Imagn ImagesWendell Cruz-Imagn Images

With the 2024-25 season and most recent NHL Draft in the rearview mirror, it’s a good time to update the top 10 prospects in the New York Rangers organization.

The Rangers added eight players to their pipeline, headed by forward Malcolm Spence, their top pick, No. 43 overall, selected in the second round. New York chose five defensemen, two wingers and a center in the 2025 draft. Those eight players represented one less than the Rangers selected in the previous two drafts combined (four in 2024; five in 2023).

They also improved their organizational depth by acquiring center prospect Carey Terrance from the Anaheim Ducks and defenseman prospect Scott Morrow from the Carolina Hurricanes in separate trades this offseason.

We chose a specific criteria here to decide which players are prospects and those who no longer fit that category. If a player’s appeared in at least 25 NHL games or will be at least 24 years old this upcoming season, he’s not considered a prospect for this list.

That’s why you will not see Brennan Othmann (25 NHL games), Brett Berard (35 NHL games), Matthew Robertson (24 years old) nor Brendan Brisson (turns 24 on Oct. 22) on this list.

As a point of reference and comparison, here’s our top 10 Rangers prospects list from 2024.

Related: Rangers 2025 NHL Draft tracker: Selection, analysis for each pick

1. Gabe Perreault (F)​

Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

As he was a year ago, Perreault remains the Rangers’ top prospect, though the 20-year-old forward is now a big step closer to a regular spot in the NHL. Perreault is set to embark on his first full professional season; he played five games with the Rangers after turning pro following the end of his sophomore year at Boston College. He had 108 points (35 goals, 73 assists) in 73 games with BC, and helped the United States win consecutive World Junior Championships in 2024 and 2025. Whether the highly skilled forward with an impressive hockey IQ gains some seasoning with Hartford of the American Hockey League or earns a spot on New York’s opening-night roster out of training camp, Perreault appears to be on the verge of his breakthrough.

2. Scott Morrow (D)​

James Guillory-Imagn Images

Morrow was somewhat of an underrated acquisition as part of the K’Andre Miller trade July 1. The offensively gifted right-shot defenseman was packaged by Carolina along with a conditional first-round pick and a second rounder in the 2026 draft for Miller. Morrow was Carolina’s third-ranked prospect and No. 65 overall in the Hockey News 2025 Future Watch after a solid rookie pro season with Chicago of the AHL (39 points; 13 goals, 26 assists in 52 games). He’s played 16 regular-season games (one goal, five assists) in the NHL and five Stanley Cup Playoff games. Morrow, who turns 23 in November, is a work in progress defensively and may require a bit more time in the AHL. But offensively, he seems good to go as a puck-moving third-pair d-man.

Related: Scott Morrow ‘going to be really good player’ with Rangers, but there’s catch: NHL insider

3. Malcolm Spence (F)​

GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS / USA TODAY NETWORK

By all accounts, Spence is a first-round talent who fell into New York’s lap in the second round. He’s a high-character player and leader who scored 32 goals and had 73 points in 65 games with Erie of the OHL last season. Draft experts project that Spence should have a long NHL career as a a middle-six forward, who will play a committed 200-foot game. Spence will attend the University of Michigan this fall.

4. EJ Emery (D)​

Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Emery was New York’s first-round pick (No. 30 overall) in the 2024 draft and comes off a bit of an up-and-down freshman season at North Dakota. A shutdown right-shot defenseman, Emery averaged 20 minutes TOI in his first NCAA season, but managed just one point, an assist in his first game. The Rangers see a bright future for Emery, but don’t plan on rushing him because they see he needs to fill out physically and grow as a player.

5. Drew Fortescue (D)​

Peter Carr/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Fortescue easily could’ve ranked above Emery, because the 2023 third-rounder has had more success to date. He joined Perreault in helping the U.S. win gold at the 2024 and 2025 WJC, playing an important role each tournament as a shutdown defenseman on the left side. He’s also successfully filled that role at Boston College and is set for his junior season there; it’s likely his last — he’s expected to turn pro next spring.

6. Dylan Garand (G)​

Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack

The only goalie on this list is set to enter his fourth pro season, all with Hartford of the AHL. Garand emerged as Hartford’s No. 1 goalie last season and was named to the AHL All-Star Classic. He was 20-10-8, with a 2.73 goals-against average, .913 save percentage, and three shutouts, and is on the Rangers’ radar to be Igor Shesterkin’s backup on Broadway, whenever Jonathan Quick retires. The 23-year-old remains an unsigned restricted free agent, but should be in net for Hartford on opening night, tuning up for his eventual ascension to the NHL.

7. Noah Laba (C)​

Peter Carr/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The bottom players on this list are tightly packed together. Laba stands out as much for his intangibles as a leader and being a high-character player as he does for his solid two-way play. It’s not difficult to envision Laba filling the role of 3C in New York one day, especially after the soon-to-be 22-year-old impressed last spring with an 11-game cameo (three goals, two assists) with Hartford after turning pro following his junior year at Colorado College.

8. Dylan Roobroeck (C)​

Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack

Roobroeck forced his way onto our list of top Rangers prospects this year after an impressive 20-goal season as a 20-year-old with Hartford. The 2023 sixth-round pick stands out immediately because of his size (6-foot-7), but then you keep your eyes on him because he competes, works hard to play an effective two-way game — and can put the puck in the net. Roobroeck had 26 goals and 72 points in 68 games with Oshawa of the OHL in 2023-24, then led Hartford with 20 goals last season, finishing strong with nine goals in his final 12 games.

9. Carey Terrance (C)​

Peter Carr/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Rangers landed another solid center prospect when they acquired Terrance from the Ducks in the Chris Kreider trade. He’s not dissimilar to Laba in the fact that he’s a high-character player and leader. Terrance turns pro this coming season and should get plenty of reps in all situations with Hartford. He scored 49 goals the past two seasons combined with Erie of the OHL, where he was teammates with Spence. He also helped the U.S. win gold at the 2025 World Juniors.

10. Adam Sykora (F)​

Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Sykora turns 21 in September and is already entering his third pro season with Hartford. The 2022 second-round pick finished fifth on Hartford with 30 points (nine goals, 21 assists) last season. Goals and point production won’t be what gets him into the NHL, though. His tenacious style of play, penalty killing, and pure grind are what stand out with Sykora, who could be a bottom-six forward option in the coming years.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...rospects-after-2025-nhl-draft-gabe-perreault/

 

[New York Rangers]

Former Rangers GM delivers hilarious quip about K’Andre Miller $60 million contract with Hurricanes

Wendell Cruz-Imagn ImagesWendell Cruz-Imagn Images

It’s safe to say that if former New York Rangers general manager Neil Smith was still an NHL executive, there’d be no way he would’ve handed K’Andre Miller as massive a contract as the Carolina Hurricanes did last week.

Miller signed an eight-year, $60 million contract, worth $7.5 million annually, after the Hurricanes acquired him in a July 1 trade with the Rangers. Defenseman Scott Morrow and two 2026 draft picks — a conditional first-rounder and a second-round selection — were acquired by the Rangers in return for the skilled, yet inconsistent 25-year-old.

On his recent NHL Wraparound podcast, Smith sounded incredulous about Miller’s expensive deal when speaking with guest Elliotte Friedman.

“But my goodness, Elliotte, these guys, like I’ve seen K Andre Miller play since he got there (in New York),” Smith ranted. “If he’s a $7 million defenseman, you know, I’m a $10 million podcaster.”

He may have been born and raised in Ontario, but Smith was straight out of New York with that dose of sarcasm.

Friedman, the NHL insider with Sportsnet, was more diplomatic with his take. He pointed out that three RFA defensemen — Miller, Evan Bouchard and Noah Dobson — “benefitted from being free at the right time, and there just wasn’t a lot of players available.”

Bouchard signed a whopping four-year, $42 million extension ($10.5 million AAV) to remain with the Edmonton Oilers last week. And Dobson, a year removed from becoming an unrestricted free agent, let it be known he had no plan to sign with the Islanders long term. So, the Islanders traded Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens for a pair of first-round draft picks and forward Emil Heineman, and Montreal then inked the defenseman to an eight-year, $76 million deal worth $9.5 million annually.

With those prices, it can be argued that Miller was a bargain, though you certainly can’t convince Smith of that. However, even though Smith’s the only one with a Stanley Cup championship on his resume, the opinion that matters most is that of Eric Tulsky, the Hurricanes GM.

“It’s a big price to pay, but we think he’s a great fit for our system,” Tulsky explained. “You hear me talk a lot about how hard our scouting department works to identify players who will fit. He was one of them.”

Related: Rangers GM ‘above board … very professional’ handling K’Andre Miller trade: agent

Neil Smith raised important question about Rangers deal with Vladislav Gavrikov​

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

There was one other topic that got Smith riled up on the podcast he co-hosts with Vic Morren.

Tampering.

In reviewing how quickly deals get done immediately after the 12 Noon ET start of free agency on July 1, Smith was again incredulius.

“So I want to ask you and talk to you about another thing that that just drives me nuts,” Smith said Friedman. “Maybe you can explain this to me too, and that is tampering. And you know, [Mitch] Marner, come on, there had to be tampering by Vegas on Marner, and I got to say that, unless Chris Drury is an absolute magician, and he’s like the Evelyn Wood of negotiating — how did he get a deal done in an hour and 15 minutes with Gavrikov?”

To be fair, Smith’s far from the first person to question the ethics and bending of the rules when it comes to NHL free agency. But, again, Friedman had a rational take, at least as far as the Rangers deal with Gavrikov was concerned.

“So, this is another great question,” he said. “But one of the reasons I think the Rangers were able to do Gavrikov so quickly, is I think they were working on a sign and trade with the [Los Angeles] Kings. Now, obviously that didn’t happen, but you know, there’s something for you. I do think a sign and trade nearly happened, so that Gavrikov could get that eighth year.”

Of course, if the sides were working on a sign and trade, there would’ve been interaction allowed between the Rangers and Gavrikov. So, Drury and Co. would know exactly what could work on July 1 even though the early sign and trade fell through.

Ultimately, Gavrikov signed quickly after free agency started, agreeing to a seven-year, $49 million contract with the Rangers, worth $7 million per season. Though the 29-year-old is older than Miller, Bouchard and Dobson, his deal very likely could end up as the best bargain of the day, though time will tell how it looks down the road once Gavrikov plays into his 30s.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...rious-quip-kandre-miller-contract-hurricanes/

 

[New York Rangers]

Why Rangers face major dilemma about Artemi Panarin contract decision

Wendell Cruz-Imagn ImagesWendell Cruz-Imagn Images

New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury has pretty much wrapped up his offseason work. The Rangers changed coaches, firing Peter Laviolette after they missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs and bringing in Mike Sullivan, a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

New York also signed veteran defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to play on the left side of the top pair with Adam Fox. And they traded veteran forward Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks and 25-year-old defenseman K’Andre Miller to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Drury also prevented a potential offer-sheet issue by re-signing Will Cuylle, to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.9 million.

Now it’s time for the GM to turn his attention to an even bigger issue.

Artemi Panarin is the best free-agent signing in Rangers history. It’s not even close: The Russian left wing, who turns 34 on Oct. 30, has led the Rangers in scoring in each of his six seasons on Broadway since signing a seven-year contract on July 1, 2019. He’s been an NHL First-Team All-Star twice (2020 and 2024) and a Second-Team All-Star once (2023). His 1.28 points per game are the most in team history, and the 120 points he put up in 2023-24 are the second-best single-season total since the Rangers entered the NHL in 1926. His 89 points last season (37 goals, 52 assists) were 27 more than runner-up Mika Zibanejad.

The Rangers have been paying top dollar for all that production – Panarin’s $11.64 million AAV is the seventh-highest in the NHL for 2025-26, and the six players ahead of him are all under 30.

But the pressing issue now is that Panarin can become an unrestricted free agent after next season. “Bread” became eligible to sign an extension on July 1. However, the Rangers don’t appear to be in any rush to get his name on the dotted line.

Drury and owner James Dolan face a real dilemma: Do the Rangers re-sign Panarin, who will be 35 less than a month into any new contract – and if so, for how much and how long? Do the Rangers trade him, either before the season or prior to the NHL Trade Deadline in March if it becomes apparent that they’re not going to make the playoffs? Or do they let things play out, see what kind of numbers Panarin puts up and whether the Blueshirts return to the playoffs before making a decision – risking the possibility of getting nothing if he walks?

Related: Neil Smith delivers hilarious quip about K’Andre Miller $60 million contract with Hurricanes

Rangers options moving forward with Artemi Panarin​

1. Rangers could re-sign Artemi Panarin​

The Rangers face two immediate issues if they opt for this alternative: Salary and term.

Drury addressed the issue with the media earlier this month but wouldn’t comment on whether he and Panarin’s camp have started extension talks. They could sign him before camp or some time during the season, which is how they handled Igor Shesterkin a year ago.

Failing to re-sign Panarin could be extremely costly for a team that relies on him for a large chunk of its offense. But does Drury want to make an early commitment to a player whose production figures to drop off at some point — whether it’s 2025-26 or sometime in the coming years? Especially if the Rangers remain hopeful that a younger UFA stud like, oh say, Connor McDavid, Kirill Kaprizov or Jack Eichel hits the open market next summer.

And don’t forget, as much as the Rangers want you to, that Panarin and MSG Sports each paid a financial settlement with a former employee who accused the star wing of sexual assault.

Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

So, faced with declining production in coming years and this other unseemly fact, the Rangers must make a very difficult decision with Panarin. Salary and term. And what does Panarin expect in each category, will go a long way to forcing the Rangers hand one way or the other.

2. Rangers could deal Artemi Panarin before season or prior to NHL Trade Deadline​

If the Rangers decide not to lock up Panarin, they’ll have to decide whether to let him play out his contract or trade him.

The second option won’t be easy. Panarin has a full no-move clause, meaning that he can’t be traded or sent to the minors without his approval. The only way the Rangers could get rid of Panarin without his OK is to put him on waivers, as they did with forward Barclay Goodrow last summer. Goodrow, who excelled in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs after a disappointing regular season, was snapped up by the League’s worst team, the San Jose Sharks, who had been on his “don’t send me there” list – and neither he nor his suddenly ex-teammates were happy about it.

So, not only does Drury not want to ruffle feathers by pulling that same move with Panarin — who is only 1,000 times the player Goodrow is — the Rangers couldn’t afford to just ship him away like that and not receive a single asset in return.

Drury again angered several veterans by basically forcing captain Jacob Trouba to accept a trade – he agreed to go to Anaheim in early December only after he was threatened with waivers and a demotion to Hartford of the American Hockey League. But the Rangers GM showed he might have learned something by keeping Kreider and his camp in the loop before the trade to the Ducks, then doing the same before sending Miller to Carolina earlier this month.

The trade deadline scenario has two possibilities. If the Rangers rebound from 2024-25 and own a playoff berth or are close to one, it’s hard to imagine a deadline deal. But if it’s looking like they’ll miss the postseason again, there figures to be a market for Panarin from contending teams that think a high-scoring left wing would be just what they need to make a long playoff run.

Panarin would still have the final say-so, but he might be more willing to move to a team poised to chase the Cup – and perhaps find himself a new home in the process. However, navigating his massive salary-cap hit makes this a very difficult option.

The Winnipeg Jets are the only playoff team from last season projected to have the cap room to fit Panarin’s salary, according to Puckpedia and it’s hard to see Panarin wanting to go to a rebuilding team.

3. Rangers can let season play out, then decide on Artemi Panarin​

This definitely has the potential to be the riskiest option for Drury and the Rangers.

Suppose Panarin has another season with 90-100 points – something that would be in line with his Rangers point-per-game average if he plays 80 games. Depending on whether the Rangers make the postseason and how far they go, Drury could be facing a small window of opportunity to re-sign the franchise’s best offensive player of the 21st century.

Trying to sign a potential free agent who’s done nothing but pile up points for seven straight seasons may not be easy. Another big season by Panarin figures to drive up his contract demands – and with the salary cap set to rise to $104 million in 2026-27 from $95.5 million this coming season, even an almost-35-year-old figures to come away with a sizeable new contract.

#NYR Artemi Panarin turns 34 in October but he hasn't shown any signs of decline. He scored or was on pace for 90+ points every season since the 2018-19. And before the last season, his Power Score was $10.7m-9m-12.6m

4 years and ~$10m Cap Hit would be a good extension https://t.co/Fpjezsbj6h pic.twitter.com/cy7BVKZTbv

— Benchrates (@benchrates) July 12, 2025

The Rangers could find themselves in the same situation the Toronto Maple Leafs did as free agency neared this year, stuck with an elite player like high-scoring forward Mitch Marner, who wasn’t going to return and decided that he knew where he wanted to go.

The Maple Leafs wound up doing a sign-and-trade that sent Marner (and a new eight-year, $96 million contract) to the Vegas Golden Knights for bottom-six forward Nicholas Roy. He’s a useful player – but nowhere near Marner’s value.

An offshoot of that nightmare would be if Panarin signed with another team without a deal being worked out ahead of time. The Rangers do not want to end up like the Islanders in the summer of 2018, when they got nothing after their best player, center John Tavares, signed with the Maple Leafs.

4. So what’s likeliest Rangers scenario with Artemi Panarin?​

In late May, colleague Tom Castro made the case that the Rangers should keep Panarin for the upcoming season but not re-sign him for 2026-27. His biggest argument is that Panarin hasn’t been able to replicate his regular-season success in the postseason (35 points in 46 playoff games with the Rangers; .76 points per game).

With a number of top stars also entering the final years of their contracts, Tom raised the valid point that the Rangers might want to keep enough cap room to make a run at McDavid, Eichel, or Kaprizov next summer.

NHL free agents in 2026:
Connor McDavid
Kirill Kaprizov
Jack Eichel
Cale Makar
Artemi Panarin
Kyle Connor
Adrian Kempe
Alex Tuch
Rasmus Andersson
Filip Gustavsson
Jake Walman
Patrick Kane
Sergei Bobrovsky
John Carlson
Anze Kopitar

Will this be the best free agency of all time? pic.twitter.com/y3Ta0TS1O4

— BoltsFanatix️(Rays szn) (@bhags38) July 13, 2025

It’s also hard to see the Rangers returning to the playoffs without Panarin or a suitable replacement – if Drury could find one. So, it’d appear he’s definitely in for next season and other factors will help the Rangers decide on his future.

Panarin has served as the cornerstone of the Rangers rebuild, one that has seen them win the Presidents’ Trophy in 2024 and reach Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final in 2022 and 2024. The question they have to decide is whether the relationship is nearing an end.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...jor-dilemma-artemi-panarin-contract-decision/

 

[New York Rangers]

Mike Sullivan, Rangers to open 2025-26 NHL season against Penguins on ESPN

James Guillory-Imagn ImagesJames Guillory-Imagn Images

Mike Sullivan won’t have to wait long to be behind the New York Rangers bench and coach against his former team. Sullivan officially begins his tenure as Rangers coach Oct. 7 when they open the 2025-26 season at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden.

The game will be televised on nationally on ESPN and the puck drops on the new season at 8 p.m. ET. The Rangers opened the 2024-25 season a year ago with a 6-0 win against the Penguins in Pittsburgh.

Counting down the days. pic.twitter.com/Mopf1xO9ro

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) July 14, 2025

Sullivan mutually parted ways with the Penguins early this offseason and subsequently was hired by the Rangers to be the 38th coach in franchise history. He replaced Peter Laviolette, who was fired after two seasons when the Rangers failed to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs this past season after winning the Presidents’ Trophy in 2023-24.

“I’m so appreciative of the opportunity that I had there,” Sullivan said about his time coaching the Penguins. “I’m grateful to everyone involved, most specifically the players there, who played extremely hard in the years that I was there.”

“Sully” spent the previous 10 seasons with the Penguins and guided them to Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017, his first two seasons behind their bench. The 57-year-old is the coaching wins leader in Penguins history with a record of 409-255-89, and the 14th coach in NHL history to win 400 games with one team.

However, the Penguins missed the playoffs for the third straight season in 2024-25, and their 80 points were the fewest in any full season since Sidney Crosby’s rookie year in 2005-06. Like the Rangers, the Penguins were at or near the bottom of the League in most defensive metrics this season.

“We had some successes there during my time, and I have that experience to draw on, what that looks like,” Sullivan explained. “We also had disappointments. It’s hard to win in this league, it takes more than talent, and we had a lot of talent with that group in Pittsburgh, and we experienced both sides.”

Related: Top 10 New York Rangers prospects after 2025 NHL Draft, including Gabe Perreault

Reunion will take place when Rangers host Penguins on opening night​

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Crosby remains a staunch supporter of Sullivan, so it will be an emotional reunion of sorts — one that’ll include Penguins longtime stars Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang — at the season opener for each team.

The reunion will extend beyond the Stanley Cup winners. Assistants David Quinn and Ty Hennes remain on Sullivan’s staff in New York after serving under him in Pittsburgh. And former Rangers assistant Dan Muse will be behind the Penguins bench for his first game as an NHL coach, after he was hired to replace Sullivan on June 4.

Though more roster changes could take place this summer, the Rangers will have at least one new player in the lineup opening night. Defenseman Vladisalv Gavrikov signed a seven-year, $49 million contract in NHL free agency and will be in the top four of the Rangers defense corps.

Rookie defenseman Scott Morrow and bottom-six forward Taylor Raddysh could also be newcomers in the Rangers lineup Oct. 7 against the Penguins.

Pittsburgh could have at least three new players: forward Anthony Mantha, defenseman Matt Dumba and goalie Arturs Silovs.

The complete Rangers schedule will be released on Wednesday, July 16.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/mike-sullivan-open-nhl-seasont-penguins/

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers prospect boosted by famous uncle Sergei Gonchar: ‘he sees potential in me’

For most of his 20-year NHL career, Sergei Gonchar was a thorn in the side of the New York Rangers. But now in retirement, the highly-skilled former defenseman might be able to help the Rangers out, thanks to a recent development at the 2025 NHL Draft.

The Rangers selected Gonchar’s nephew, Artyom Gonchar, in the third round (No. 89 overall). And by listening to the younger Gonchar, it’s clear what a big influence his uncle plays in his burgeoning hockey career.

“He always supports me and says he sees potential in me. He never puts any limits on me,” Artyom explained in a recent translated interview in his native Russia. “The fact that such a great figure in the hockey world praises my game really boosts my confidence.”

Like his uncle, Artyom is a defenseman. Of course, he — and the Rangers — can only hope some of Sergei’s greatness and success rubs off on the 18-year-old.

With the 89th pick at the 2025 NHL Draft, #NYR are proud to select Artyom Gonchar. pic.twitter.com/JGiJ0np6Fm

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 28, 2025

Sergei Gonchar recorded 811 points (220 goals, 591 assists) in 1,301 NHL games, more than any other Russia-born defenseman in League history. Sergei Zubov, who helped the Rangers win the Stanley Cup in 1994 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019, is second on that list with 771 points, after playing with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Dallas Stars and Blueshirts.

Gonchar also helped the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in 2009.

Artyom Gonchar is pretty gifted offensively, too. He put together a solid season in Russia’s top junior league last season, leading all defensemen on Stalyne Lisy with 25 points (seven goals, 18 assists) in 50 games. After he was picked by the Rangers, Gonchar elected to enter the CHL Import Draft, where he was selected by Sudbury. Gonchar will make his North American debut playing major Canadian junior hockey this fall.

“Artem is a player that we have been high on from this past season,” Sudbury general manager Rob Papineau explained. “He is a very intelligent smooth skating defenseman who was just selected in the third round in the NHL. He has great vision and offensive instincts and is a skilled playmaker.”

That sounds a but like his uncle.

Related: Why Rangers believe EJ Emery ‘on great path’ with development ahead of sophomore season at North Dakota

Rangers prospect says ‘my uncle gets me stronger’ with late-night chats​

Via @artemgonchar09 on IG

Late-night calls with his famous uncle, a development coach with the Vancouver Canucks, were routine for Artyom last season. After nearly every game, he’d ring up his uncle from Magnitogorsk around 10 p.m. local time, knowing Sergei would be there to help.

“We’d call after each of my games and go over my mistakes: what I did well and what I didn’t,” Artyom explained.

“My uncle helps me get stronger. Ever since I joined Stalnye Lisy, we started talking more about my game.”

Listed as 6-foot-1 and 165 pounds, Artyom has plenty of filling out to be the size of Sergei, who was 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds in his playing days.

Via @artemgonchar09 on IG

During the 2024-25 campaign, Artyom added roughly 15 pounds of muscle while continuing to log heavy minutes on the ice. He spent much of his time away from the rink in the gym, focusing on strength and conditioning with the target of reaching 180 pounds to match his physical style of play.

He also worked with defense coach Viktor Postnikov, who dedicated extra time in the summer to focus on Artyom’s shot. Together, they fine-tuned his power, release timing, and shot accuracy to give him more confidence from the point.

“I like a physical style of hockey — I enjoy hitting and closing in on opponents,” Artyom said. “I know how to deliver body checks even without a lot of weight, but always according to the situation. The main thing is to keep possession of the puck.”

That sounds like it could be a direct take from his uncle’s playbook. The Rangers certainly can hope these will all be lessons well learned.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/artyom-sergei-gonchar-prospect-advice/

 

[New York Rangers]

Why Rangers believe EJ Emery ‘on great path’ with development ahead of sophomore season at North Dakota

Jim Cerny

If the New York Rangers have any concern that E.J. Emery managed just one point during his freshman season at Nork Dakota, they’re certainly not letting on.

Sure, they’d love to see more production from their 2024 first-round pick (30th overall), who picked up an assist in his first collegiate game and no points thereafter. But in the Rangers opinion, there’s plenty to like about the stay-at-home defenseman’s overall game last season.

“He had a really good year,” Rangers director of player development Jed Ortmeyer said at the beginning of July. “He’s one of the youngest defensemen in college hockey as a true freshman. It’s a tough league (NCHC) he was playing in and he was able to go there, step in and have a big role, play big minutes for them. I think his development is headed in the right direction, he’s on a great path. He’s at a great school and we’re excited about what he’s doing and where he’s going.”

The 19-year-old appeared in 31 games in his first NCAA season, averaged roughly 20 minutes TOI, and finished sixth on the team with 29 blocked shots. He missed seven games, six due to a lower-body injury and one after he was suspended for a late-game incident with top Minnesota Wild prospect Zeev Buium of Denver on Feb. 15.

Emery was also among the final cuts by the United States before they won the 2025 World Junior Championship last December. Three other Rangers prospects — Gabe Perreault, Drew Fortescue and Carey Terrance — were on that team.

Expectations are high that Emery will make the 2026 U.S. squad for the World Juniors, especially with several key players from a stacked roster having aged out of the tournament. Emery is among 42 players (14 defensemen) invited to play for the United States at the 2025 World Junior Showcase from July 25 – August 2 in Minneapolis.

And don’t expect the youngster to hang his head or lose confidence about being the first NHL Draft pick in NCAA history to record just a single point in a season.

“It just shows that I’ve got something to work on,” Emery said at Rangers development camp. “You always want something to work, to get better.”

Related: Top 10 New York Rangers prospects after 2025 NHL Draft, including E.J. Emery

No ‘timeline’ for E.J. Emery to make jump to NHL with Rangers​

Emery told reporters in early July that he added 10 pounds of muscle to his wiry (6-foot-3, 185 pounds) frame. Rangers officials said when they drafted Emery that he needed to fill out and hone his all-around game. John Lilley, New York’s director of player personnel, emphasized at the time that the Rangers would not rush Emery and his development.

That continues to be the game plan. So, don’t expect to see a major push for Emery to join the Rangers blue line just yet.

“I can’t put a timeline on it, everyone develops at their own pace,” Ortmeyer explained. “For him, filling out and growing into his body — he’s put a lot of work in, he’s got a nutritionist — just to make sure he’s developing as best as he can, as fast as he can. He’s great to work with, eager to get better. He’s in a great situation there at North Dakota.”

Emery echoed those sentiments. He’s more concerned about trying to win the NCAA National Championship with North Dakota then breaking into the NHL any time soon.

“I realized I’ve got to get bigger and stronger because when you’re playing against 25-year-olds, it’s a man’s game,” Emery explained.

A right-shot defenseman, Emery can look up at Adam Fox, Will Borgen, Braden Schneider and Scott Morrow on that side of the Rangers depth chart. Things can change quickly, of course. Heck, even stud d-man Vladislav Gavrikov, a top-four lefty shooter, can play on his off side.

So, that’s to say, there’s no rush for Emery to turn pro. He could sign an entry-level contract next spring or remain in school, which is what Fortescue, another shutdown defenseman prospect, did heading back to Boston College this season for his junior year.

By the sounds of it, the Rangers remain bullish on their top pick from a year ago, no matter how many — or how few — points he accumulates.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...reat-path-development-sophomore-north-dakota/

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers 2025-26 NHL schedule includes outdoor game, longest homestand, road trip since 2021

Danny Wild-Imagn ImagesDanny Wild-Imagn Images

The New York Rangers will play their sixth outdoor game during the 2025-26 season, as well as their longest homestand and road trip in five years.

The NHL released its full schedule for the upcoming season Wednesday, though Rangers fans already knew that the Blueshirts’ season opener was set for Oct. 7, with the Pittsburgh Penguins coming to Madison Square Garden to face their old coach, Mike Sullivan, who’s now behind the bench for the Rangers.

They’ll begin 2026 by trying to extend their perfect outdoor record when they face the Florida Panthers in the 2026 Winter Classic at LoanDepot Park in Miami on Jan. 2. The Rangers are 5-0-0 outdoors, with the most recent win coming against the New York Islanders on Feb. 18, 2024, a 6-5 overtime victory at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The full 2025-26 #NYR Schedule: pic.twitter.com/zB0HrGMCv7

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) July 16, 2025

That game is the finale of a six-game road trip, the Rangers’ longest since 2021. They also have a late-season seven-game homestand that is their longest in five years.

Here are some of the highlights of the Rangers’ 2025-26 schedule:

Mike Sullivan makes quick return to Pittsburgh with Rangers​

Peter Carr/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Rangers new coach won’t have to wait long to return to the city where he coached back-to-back Stanley Cup champions in 2016 and 2017. After making his debut with the Rangers against the Penguins as part of the NHL opening-night tripleheader, Sullivan and the Blueshirts will visit PPG Paints Arena four nights later, on Oct. 11.

It will be interesting to see what kind of reaction Sullivan gets from the fans who used to cheer him. He left the Penguins after they missed the playoffs in each of the past three seasons, and there didn’t appear to be a lot of regret on either side when he and the Penguins parted ways after 10 seasons.

Ironically, he’ll be coaching against a former Rangers assistant. Dan Muse, who wasn’t fired when the Rangers axed Peter Laviolette after missing the playoffs last season, was named as Sullivan’s replacement.

Rangers on road for holidays (and beyond)​

Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Rangers haven’t had a six-game road trip since March 2021, and even that one gets an asterisk because they only visited three cities (Newark, Pittsburgh and Boston), playing back-to-back games in each during the COVID-shortened season.

That won’t be the case when they head to Nashville for a Sunday night contest on Dec. 21. They go to Washington two nights later to play the Capitals (their sixth game in nine nights), then resume play after the Christmas break by visiting the Islanders on Dec. 27, followed by trips to Carolina and Washington before the Winter Classic against the defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers on the first Friday of the new year.

In all, the Rangers will spend more than two weeks away from the Garden; they host the Philadelphia Flyers on Dec. 20 and aren’t home again until the Utah Mammoth come to town on Jan. 5.

Aside from this six-game trip, the Rangers have no road swing longer than a four-game, seven-day swing through Western Canada and Seattle from Oct. 26 through Nov. 1.

Rangers to get late-season home cooking …​

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

2021 was also the last time the Rangers had a homestand of more than five games. That will change this season, when they play seven in a row at the Garden from March 27 through April 8.

This figures to be a chance for the Rangers to pile up some points. Three of the seven teams they face on the homestand missed the playoffs last season, and two more lost their opening-round series in five games. Only the Panthers (March 29) and Capitals (April 5) made it past the first round.

Stretch things out a bit more and the Rangers will enjoy one of the longest home-dominant stretches in their history. Beginning with a visit from the Los Angeles Kings on March 16, the Rangers play 11 of 13 games at the Garden, with the only road games against the Columbus Blue Jackets (March 19) and Toronto Maple Leafs (March 25).

… but a tough finish​

Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

After all that time at home, the Rangers finish their season with a nasty three-game road trip.

The Blueshirts make their only trip of the season to Dallas on April 11 to face the Stars, who’ve gotten as far as the Western Conference Final in each of the past three seasons. Two nights later, they visit the Panthers in Sunrise, Florida, then conclude the regular season against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on April 15.

That’s two games against Final Four teams before one against a club coming off a 102-point season and eight straight playoff appearances. Not the ideal way to end a season – especially if you need points to make the playoffs.

A dozen back-to-backs, including a rarity​

Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

The Rangers play 12 sets of back-to-back games, beginning on the first weekend of the season – their trip to Pittsburgh on Oct. 11 is followed by a visit by the Capitals one night later.

Four of the back-to-backs involve consecutive home games – two come in a 10-day span in December, the others are in late March and early April. Only one set features consecutive road games: The Rangers visit the Anaheim Ducks on Jan. 18 and the Kings on the 19th.

But the most intriguing back-to-back involves the Rangers and Islanders, who face off at UBS Arena on Jan. 28 and at the Garden on Jan. 29. It’s the first time the Rangers will face their archrivals on consecutive days since April 3-4, 2008, when the teams split road victories – the Blueshirts won 3-0 at Nassau Coliseum before losing 4-3 in a shootout at MSG one night later.

A back-to-back that will see the Rangers visit the Philadelphia Flyers on March 9 and host the Calgary Flames on March 10 begins what figures to be a brutal month for New York. The Blueshirts will play 13 times in the final 22 days of March, including three back-to-backs, and 16 times in the from March 2-31.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...025-26-nhl-schedule-takeaways-winter-classic/

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers featured on 16 national TV broadcasts; complete schedule including 2026 Winter Classic

Jim Rassol-Imagn ImagesJim Rassol-Imagn Images

They might be coming off one of the most dismal and disappointing seasons in franchise history, but the New York Rangers are still a top draw in the NHL. The Rangers will be featured in 16 national television broadcasts in the United States over the course of the 2025-26 season.

Topping the list of their nationally televised games is the 2026 NHL Winter Classic, when the Rangers play the Florida Panthers at loanDepot Park in Miami on Jan. 2. The game will air on TNT, with puck drop against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions set for 8 p.m. ET.

The Rangers are unbeaten outdoors, with a 5-0-0 all-time record, including victories at the 2012 Winter Classic in Philadelphia against the Flyers and the 2018 Winter Classic at Citi Field over the Buffalo Sabres.

Their most recent outdoor game resulted in a thrilling 6-5 overtime win against the Islanders in the 2024 Stadium Series at MetLife Stadium.

The Rangers share top billing on ESPN’s opening-night tripleheader Oct. 7. After the Panthers play the Chicago Blackhawks at 5 p.m. ET, the Rangers open up their season at 8 p.m. ET, when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden. The ESPN tripleheader concludes with a 10:30 p.m. ET contest between the Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings.

That Rangers-Penguins game is not just a clash between Metropolitan Division rivals. It will feature Mike Sullivan’s debut as Rangers coach, not so coincidentally against the team he coached to two Stanley Cup championships over the previous 10 seasons. Behind the visiting bench will be former Rangers assistant Dan Muse, who will make his NHL head coaching debut for the Penguins.

All told, the Rangers will play eight games on TNT, including their annual Black Friday matinee against the Boston Bruins on Nov. 28 at 1 p.m. ET. The Blueshirts play five games on ABC, and three on ESPN.

Related: NHL offseason grades for Rangers, Metropolitan Division rivals

New York Rangers complete national TV schedule for 2025-26 NHL season​

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Tue Oct. 7 Rangers vs. Penguins 8 p.m. ESPN

Tue. Nov. 4 Rangers vs. Hurricanes 7 p.m. TNT

Wed. Nov. 12 Rangers at Lightning 7 p.m. TNT

Fri. Nov. 28 Rangers at Bruins 1 p.m. TNT

Wed. Dec. 10 Rangers at Blackhawks 7:30 p.m. TNT

Fri. Jan. 2 Rangers at Panthers (WC) 8 p.m. TNT

Sat. Jan 10 Rangers vs. Bruins 1 p.m. ABC

Wed. Jan. 28 Rangers at Islanders 7:30 p.m. TNT

Sat. Jan. 31 Rangers at Penguins 3:30 p.m. ABC

Thu. Feb. 26 Rangers vs. Flyers 8 p.m. ESPN

Sat. Feb. 28 Rangers vs. Penguins 12:30 p.m. ABC

Sat. March 7 Rangers at Devils 3 p.m. ABC

Wed. March 18 Rangers vs. Devils 7 p.m. TNT

Wed. March 25 Rangers at Maple Leafs 7:30 p.m. TNT

Sat. April 4 Rangers vs. Red Wings 12:30 p.m. ABC

Sun. April 5 Rangers vs. Capitals 7 p.m. ESPN

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...adcasts-schedule-winter-classic-espn-tnt-abc/

 

[New York Rangers]

Does Rangers’ J.T. Miller belong on NHL Network ‘Top 20 Centers Right Now’ list?

Danny Wild-Imagn ImagesDanny Wild-Imagn Images

It appears that the fallout from one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise continues to follow the New York Rangers.

For the second time in the past week, the Rangers could cry foul over NHL Network’s annual positional rankings. First it was Adam Fox, who was buried far too low on the Top 20 Defensemen Right Now list. This week, it’s the complete absence of any Rangers player on the Top 20 Centers Right Now list.

If Igor Shesterkin fails to rank properly in the ranking of top goalies next week, then we’ll really know how low the Rangers standing is with hockey analysts and experts at the network.

Our Top 20 Centers Right Now list has a total of:
• 12 Stanley Cups
• 5 Conn Smythe Trophies
• 10 Ted Lindsay Awards
• 8 Hart Trophies
• 8 Art Ross Trophies
• 7 Maurice Richard Trophies
• 3 Selke Trophies

What do you think of our list?@NHL | #NHLTopPlayers pic.twitter.com/7xSsx0hpuh

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 20, 2025

It’s hard to quibble with Mika Zibanejad failing to make the centers list this season. A year ago, Zibanejad ranked No. 19 among top centers by NHL Network. But the 32-year-old clearly played his way out of the top 20.

Vincent Trocheck is a very good two-way center. But he didn’t crack the Top 20 list a year ago after a career-best 2023-24. And there was no way he was in serious contention for a Top 20 spot this summer.

But then there’s J.T. Miller. Coming off a 103-point campaign in 2023-24, Miller was No. 11 on the Top 20 list last year. Yes, he dropped to 70 points this past season, one that started slowly with the Vancouver Canucks (35 points in 40 games) before a trade to the Rangers saw him finish strong (35 points in 32 games). But are there at least 20 other NHL centers entering this season you’d rather have than Miller?

Debatable, for sure.

Related: Rangers star Adam Fox should be motivated by absurd ranking in NHL Network list of top 20 defensemen

J.T. Miller makes case with Rangers​

Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

There’s no arguing last season was an up-and-down one for Miller. His poor relationship with Elias Pettersson in Vancouver went public and helped submarine the Canucks season. He took a 10-game leave of absence amid tension between the star centers. Miller’s play fell off and the overall situation was toxic. He must accept part of the responsibility for that.

The Canucks decided to keep Pettersson, the younger and more expensive center, who, by the way, also failed to make the NHL Network list this season. Miller was traded to the Rangers on Jan. 31. It was back in New York that Miller proved why he remains an elite center in the NHL.

In 32 games with the Rangers, Miller recorded 13 goals and 22 assists, trailing only Artemi Panarin in scoring during that stretch. His presence also helped unlock Zibanejad on the wing — a combination the Rangers likely will keep intact come opening night this season.

Miller not only produced offensively, he played his typically effective gritty, hard-nosed style of hockey. He contributed on the power play and penalty kill, and won 58 percent of his face-offs. Unlike his final days in Vancouver, Miller looked like Miller again in New York.

At age 32, Miller proved he’s still got it. And his all-around game is what makes him so appealing, and worthy of a top-20 spot in the NHL Network ranking.

Related: Rangers goalie prospect Dylan Garand confident he’s ‘NHL caliber’ after big season with Wolf Pack

Comparing J.T. Miller with centers ranked above him​

#20 — Sam Bennett​

Sam Bennet being ranked No. 20 feels as disrespectful as Miller being left off. Bennett just came off a Conn Smythe Trophy run and his intangibles are just as important as his production. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are where legacies are built, and Bennett stepped up to the challenge again.

#19 — Macklin Celebrini​

Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

Celebrini’s rookie season was super impressive — 25 goals and 63 points in 70 games, and third in Calder Trophy voting. The 2024 No. 1 overall pick looks like a future franchise cornerstone in San Jose. But one season isn’t enough to rank him as a top-20 center right now. Miller, comparatively, has multiple 70+ point seasons and a 103-point campaign just a year prior. Even in a season split between two franchises, he matched Celebrini’s scoring pace with driving play at 5v5, winning more than half of his face-offs, and adding the grit Celebrini hasn’t picked up yet. Celebrini might the future — but Miller is the present.

#18 — Tage Thompson​

Tage Thompson’s size (6-foot-6, 220 pounds) and shot make him a dangerous scorer, and his 44 goals last season were proof of that. But when you stack him up against Miller, the gap isn’t as wide as the rankings suggest. Miller’s 70 points in 72 games compared favorably to Thompson’s 72 in 76. Miller led all Rangers with 2.68 points per 60, while Thompson’s production leaned heavily an inflated 18.2 percent shooting percentage. Thompson is a great sniper, but Miller impacts his team in more ways on both sides of the puck and gives them a higher floor every night.

But where Miller really separated himself from Thompson is inside the face-off circle. Miller won nearly 58 percent of his draws while Thompson sat at 42.8 percent, a gaping difference for such a key metric. But NHL Network clearly preferred Thompson’s goal-scoring exploits over Miller’s superior all-around game.

#17 — Roope Hintz​

Last season, on a loaded Dallas Stars roster, Roope Hintz recorded 67 points in 76 games — solid, but short of Miller’s 70. Like Miller, Hintz is a 200-foot player, with intangibles being a big part of his appeal. Miller’s been the superior offensive player in his career, though, and is a more consistent physical presence. It feels like he should be ahead of Hintz on this list.

#16 — Tim Stutzle​

Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

Along with Bennet, this is one of the players listed in the teens that feels under-ranked. Stutzle has now stacked three straight 70+ point seasons, totaling 239 points over that span — and he’s only 23 years old. His speed, playmaking, and ability to control the Ottawa Senator’s offense makes him one of the most exciting young centers in the game. Unlike some others on this list, you can argue Stutzle belongs ahead of Miller and closer to the top 10.

#15 — Dylan Larkin​

For years, Dylan Larkin has been the face of the Detroit Red Wings, but his production hasn’t fully lived up to that. In nine NHL seasons, he’s topped 70+ points just once. The rest of his career has hovered in the 61-70 point range. Compare that to Miller, who has coasted above the 70+ point mark three different times, including a 99-point campaign and the aforementioned 103-point season. Larkin may be Detroit’s top option by default, but Miller has consistently produced like a true No. 1 center.

Despite a somewhat rocky 2024-25 season, it feels like Miller should still land somewhere in the 15-20 range among top centers in the NHL.

Rankings like these are always going to stir debate, and bias inevitably steps in. And the end of the day, though, preseason lists don’t mean anything beyond fueling conversations like this. Some will argue Miller belongs ahead of players ranked here, others will disagree — and both are fair. What matters most is what happens once the puck drops. If Miller delivers the way he’s capable of, he won’t need a preseason ranking to prove where he stands among the League’s best centers.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...-t-miller-snubbed-nhl-network-top-20-centers/

 

[New York Rangers]

Former Rangers defenseman recalls ‘standing ovation’ from teammates after colorful run-in with media

Perry Nelson-Imagn ImagesPerry Nelson-Imagn Images

Dan Boyle admits that he had mixed feelings following a run-in with New York Rangers media at breakup day in 2016. But any doubts he had about verbally jousting with Larry Brooks of the New York Post in a public display that went viral on social media disappeared several hours later.

“What people don’t know is that when I showed up for a team dinner at the end of that night, I got a standing ovation from my teammates, which gives me goosebumps to think about because I was a voice for them because they couldn’t,” Boyle shared on The Steve Dangle Podcast earlier this year.

“I felt like shit for a couple hours after I said that, but that night everything went away because I knew I did the right thing. Those guys to this day are like, ‘That was fu**ing incredible.'”

Boyle played the final two of his 17 NHL seasons with the Rangers from 2014-16. During that time, he believed Brooks scapegoated him for any troubles the Rangers had on ice, and took it personally. Boyle said he didn’t speak out publicly during his Rangers tenure so as not to cause a distraction or shed any negative light on the organization.

That changed after the Rangers were eliminated by the Pittsburgh Penguins in five games of their best-of-7 first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series in 2016. His contract was up and Boyle knew he was not returning to the Rangers. In fact, he retired that offseason at the age of 39.


So, when he stood by his locker to answer questions from the media at breakup day, Boyle first let Brooks know the reporter was not welcome. The back and forth got ugly, and eventually Brooks did walk away. Since the exchange was caught on camera, the argument went viral outside the locker-room doors.

Many felt it was an overreaction. Boyle believed it was justified.

“I was handcuffed for two years there and at the end of the year (2016) I was like I’m not going to be quiet any more,” Boyle stated. “Media has a responsibility to cover the game but when they take it personal and it becomes trash and it becomes about them and it becomes inaccurate and wrong, and ‘Boyle did this’ and I’m like ‘I wasn’t even on the ice for that goal,’ that kind of shit.

“So, obviously I blew up at the end of that year.”

Related: Rangers concern meter — Weighing potential issues for 2025-26 season

Former Rangers defenseman Dan Boyle was ‘surprised how negative media was’ in New York​

Andy Marlin-Imagn Images

Those couple minutes are likely what most people remember about Boyle’s tenure on Broadway. He did help the Rangers win the Presidents’ Trophy and reach the Eastern Conference Final his first season with them, when he had 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) and was plus-18 in 65 games.

The following season, Boyle scored 10 goals and totaled 24 points in 74 games. But his overall game, and that of the Rangers, was not at the same level. The Rangers finished third in the Metropolitan Division, ninth overall in the League, and then were kayoed quickly in the playoffs by the Penguins.

“In New York, we had a Presidents'(Trophy-winning) team one year, we had a very good team for two years, but I was surprised how negative the media was,” Boyle said. “Players always say ‘Oh, we don’t listen to that, we don’t read that,’ but I don’t buy that … I mean, that’s probably true. We don’t read it, but someone else does and it filters its way into the locker room.”

Boyle played — and starred — in smaller media markets earlier in his successful career. He helped the Tampa Bay Lightning win the Stanley Cup in 2004. And then he helped the San Jose Sharks finish first in the Pacific Division three times and reach the Western Conference Final twice in his six seasons playing in northern California.

All told, Boyle totaled 605 points (163 goals, 442 assists) in 1,093 NHL games, and another 81 points (17 goals, 64 assists) in 130 Stanley Cup Playoff games. An undrafted free agent, Boyle was one of the top offensive defensemen of his day.

And a fierce competitor.

That edginess holds true to this day, when he recalls the last chapter of his career in the dressing room at the MSG Training Center nine years later.

“I got texts from players I didn’t know, numbers, saying ‘Thank you for saying what I didn’t have the ba**s to say.'”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...alls-standing-ovation-teammates-run-in-media/

 

[New York Rangers]

Why Rangers could turn to Urho Vaakanainen as under radar lineup regular

Danny Wild-Imagn ImagesDanny Wild-Imagn Images

When considering the makeup of the New York Rangers defense corps this coming season, Urho Vaakanainen is not the first name that comes to mind. Yet there’s a very good chance that Vaakanainen could fly under the radar and land a regular role in the top six.

Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov will soak up most of the attention — and minutes — on the blue line once training camp begins. Braden Schneider, coming off labrum surgery, and rookie newcomer Scott Morrow will also be watched closely. And Will Borgen has a lineup spot secured, even if he doesn’t know who his partner is just yet.

Even Carson Soucy will draw eyeballs since he’s a veteran trying to re-establish his game and justify a $3.25 million salary cap hit.

That leaves Vaakanainen the opportunity to quietly go about his business earning the trust of the new Rangers coaching staff headed by Mike Sullivan. You get the impression that the soft-spoken 26-year-old prefers it that way. And that plan certainly worked out for him last season, after the Rangers acquired Vaakanainen from the Anaheim Ducks in the Jacob Trouba trade in early December.

Despite an ever-changing cast on the Rangers blue line, Vaakanainen secured a regular spot in the lineup under then-coach Peter Laviolette. Vaakanainen played 46 games after the trade, missed two because of injury, and was a healthy scratch in four others.

It was an effective stretch for Vaakanainen, who was overlooked by many after the Trouba trade. He recorded an NHL career-high 15 points (two goals, 13 assists) and was plus-8 for a defensively-challenged Rangers team.

That's First Nation Urho Vaakanainen #NYR https://t.co/SqUGsmC6cz pic.twitter.com/CTEjZpS4nv

— David (@DaveyUpper) February 3, 2025

Vaakanainen averaged 16:43 TOI, primarily on the third pair, with some top four minutes mixed in. The Rangers extended him with a two-year, $3.1 million contract in March.

His underlying metrics were a bit mixed. The Rangers outscored opponents 32-27 with Vaakanainen on the ice 5v5. But his expected goals share was 43.68 percent, per Natural Stat Trick, and the Rangers were out-chanced 343-271 with him playing 5v5.

Part of that is related to the fact that Vaakanainen started only 28.23 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone. But those underlying numbers can’t be completely dismissed either.

All in all, though, Vaakanainen was a pleasant surprise in what was an overall down season for the Rangers in 2024-25.

Related: Scott Morrow ‘going to be really good player’ with Rangers, but there’s catch: NHL insider

Urho Vaakanainen faces competition to earn regular spot in Rangers lineup​

It’s not like Vaakanainen’s success completely came out of nowhere. The native of Finland was a first-round pick (No. 18 overall) in the 2017 NHL Draft by the Boston Bruins. So, the pedigree as a defensive defenseman was always there.

But a string of injuries slowed Vaakanainen’s progress. He had a concussion his first pro season and several other injuries thereafter, including hip surgery. Only four other players selected in the first round in 2017 have played fewer games in the NHL than Vaakanainen (187). One of them is Lias Andersson (110 games), selected No. 7 overall by the Rangers.

After all those stops and starts, Vaakanainen finally earned a regular spot in the Ducks lineup, when he played 68 games in 2023-24.

Urho Vaakanainen is now getting credit for this goal. It’s his first with the Rangers. pic.twitter.com/N84k4Fm3KE

— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) February 9, 2025

As such, Vaakanainen has all the earmarks of being a late bloomer. He’ll turn 27 on New Year’s Day, and the Rangers hope he is coming into his own. Under contract at an affordable annual rate ($1.55 million) for two more seasons before he can become an unrestricted free agent in 2027, Vaakanainen is an absolute bargain if he slots into the starting six on Broadway.

When training camp opens next month, Vaakanainen’s main competition should come from Soucy. However, there are many variables at play.

Assuming Gavrikov and Fox form the top pairing, the Rangers have several options with the bottom four. Soucy could help form a shutdown second pair with Borgen, especially since they have a history as partners with the Seattle Kraken. That’d likely leave Vaakainen on the third pair with Schneider.

If Vaakanainen outplays Soucy in the preseason, those two could switch spots. But if Morrow proves ready for full-time duty on the right side of the third pair, Sullivan could move Schneider to his off (left) side on the second pair. That would leave Vaakanainen and Soucy in a battle for the final spot in the starting six, alongside Morrow.

A wild card here is Matthew Robertson. The 2019 second-round pick could very well be a late bloomer at age 24 and get a decent look in camp. But if he earns a spot on the roster, it’d likely be at the expense of Soucy, not any other defenseman.

But keep an eye on Vaakanainen. This just might be his time on Broadway.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/urho-vaakanainen-under-radar-lineup-regular/

 

[New York Rangers]

How Rangers could best help Gabe Perreault be Calder Trophy candidate as NHL rookie of year

Wendell Cruz-Imagn ImagesWendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Though NHL training camps don’t open for another few weeks, it’s not too early to speculate about how the New York Rangers could deploy Gabe Perreault this coming season. And how they could help put him in a position to contend for the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year.

The 20-year-old forward is New York’s top prospect, and has been since the Rangers selected him in the first round (No. 23 overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft. Now, after two standout seasons at Boston College, where he totaled 108 points (35 goals, 73 assists) in 73 games, Perreault enters his first NHL training camp eyeing a spot on the opening-night roster.

It’s just as easy to see Perreault skating in New York’s top nine when the Rangers host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 7 as it is to picture him missing the final cut and opening the 2025-26 season with Hartford of the American Hockey League. That’s no knock on Perreault. Just the cold hard facts about how difficult it is to crack an NHL lineup, especially with a team that has so few openings on the wing, as is the case with the Rangers.

Gabe Perreault is a New York Ranger

Welcome to the League! pic.twitter.com/O9gKXU2vrl

— NHL (@NHL) April 2, 2025

Ultimately, it’s up to Perreault if he makes the team right away or if it appears he needs a bit of seasoning in the minors first. His skill is obvious; and Perreault didn’t look out of place playing five games with the Rangers last season after he signed his entry-level contract. Perreault is also putting in the work this summer, skating with his idol Patrick Kane and other NHL players in the Chicago area.

Perreault must show coach Mike Sullivan that he’s committed and capable of performing in all three zones and physically strong enough to compete against men at the NHL level. You can bet that he’ll get a long look in training camp and plenty of opportunities in preseason games to prove himself.

Related: Top 10 New York Rangers prospects after 2025 NHL Draft, including Gabe Perreault

H2

Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

So, let’s assume for this exercise that Perreault earns a spot on the opening-night roster. It then falls on Sullivan and the Rangers to put their prized rookie in the best position to succeed. Of course, that would benefit both the team and the player.

Since it appears Sullivan plans to put Mika Zibanejad at right wing on a line centered by J.T. Miller, the Rangers will be loading up their top six. In this alignment, it’s fair to assume that Vincent Trocheck will center Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere. That leaves one opening in the top six, to the left of Miller and Zibanejad.

The quick reaction here is to reward Will Cuylle, fresh off a 20-goal season, with a spot on that line. He’s an ascending player with top-six experience, and his physical play would mesh nicely with Miller’s skilled, yet hard-edged style.

But perhaps Perreault is the right fit here. The Rangers used him primarily in the top six after he finished at BC last season, to put him in the best position to succeed. Though Perreault didn’t register a point, he wasn’t overwhelmed by playing up in an NHL lineup, and averaged 14:26 TOI.

His high hockey IQ and vast skill set should mesh nicely with Miller and Zibanejad. The kid’s always been a point producer, so put him in a role where he can pile up points. That is, as long as Perreault proves capable of defending top NHL forwards. And if he racks up points, expect to see Perreault’s name in the Calder Trophy race.

NCAA coaches will talk about how 10 goals is the mark of a great freshman year. It’s not easy to do.

This is Gabe Perreault’s 10th of the season. He also has 28 assists. #NYR pic.twitter.com/OJtUMh2fIH

— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) February 3, 2024

The Rangers have had eight rookie-of-the-year winners in their history. However, Brian Leetch was the last to win the Calder in 1988-89. Perreault isn’t a favorite for the award at this point, weeks before training camp begins. His former BC teammate Ryan Leonard (Washington Capitals) is among a group of players like Ivan Demidov (Montreal Canadiens), Alexander Nikishin (Carolina Hurricanes), Zeev Buium (Minnesota Wild) and even top overall pick Matthew Schaeffer (Islanders) who are the preseason Calder favorites.

But if Perreault plays on a line with Miller and Zibanejad? The kid’s going to produce. Again, that benefits him and the team.

An argument can be made that the Rangers are best served with Cuylle in that top-six role and Perreault playing on the third line — assuming he earns a roster spot in the preseason. However, Cuylle leading a physical, two-way identity line, perhaps with Brennan Othmann, Brett Berard, or Taylor Raddysh on the other wing, is appealing. Cuylle would be a better fit in that role than Perreault.

The point here is that Perreault must earn his way on to the roster and any role and ice-time that comes with that. But it behooves the Rangers to put him in the best position to succeed. It says here that’s a top-six role.

And if he’s not ready for that, playing 20+ minutes a night in all game situations for Hartford makes great sense, too.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...ault-calder-trophy-candidate-nhl-rookie-year/

 

[New York Rangers]

Why Rangers could face seller’s remorse over Kaapo Kakko, Vitali Kravtsov in 2025-26

Steven Bisig-Imagn ImagesSteven Bisig-Imagn Images

No matter how you look at it, the New York Rangers’ run of making a top-10 selection in the NHL Draft each year from 2017-20 will go down as a disappointment. How much of one is still to be determined – and the 2025-26 season has to potential to make it considerably worse.

That’s because Kaapo Kakko, the No. 2 overall pick in 2019, enters his first full season with the Seattle Kraken after showing signs that he could be a more productive player following a trade with the Rangers in mid-December. Additionally, Vitali Kravtsov, the No. 9 overall pick in 2018, signed a one-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks after a successful run in the KHL.

Including Kakko and Kravtsov, three of the four top-10 selections the Rangers made over that four-year stretch are no longer with the organization.

Former general manager Jeff Gorton salvaged his misfire on bust Lias Andersson (No. 7 overall in 2017) by turning him into the second-round pick in 2020 that became rising power forward Will Cuylle, who scored 20 goals last season.

Alexis Lafreniere, the No. 1 overall selection in 2020, is the lone top-10 Rangers pick from 2017-20 remaining on the Rangers roster. He’s been inconsistent, but hope remains that the soon-to-be 24-year-old can recapture his 28-goal form from two seasons ago.

Related: How Rangers could best help Gabe Perreault be Calder Trophy candidate as NHL rookie of year

Traded by Rangers, Kaapo Kakko more productive with Kraken​

James Guillory-Imagn Images

When it comes to Kakko and Kravtsov, however, there’s nothing current GM Chris Drury can do other than sit back and watch. Drury, it should be noted, had little choice but to deal away both players when it became clear that their time on Broadway passed its expiration date.

Drury did manage to bring back valuable right-shot defenseman Will Borgen in the Kakko trade. So, there’s that.

At 24 years old, though, Kakko’s potential ceiling remains high. And the Kraken appear more willing to feed into that potential. He averaged an NHL career-high 17:03 TOI after the trade last season, nearly four minutes more per game than with the Rangers.

KAAPO KAKKO
KAAPO KAKKO
KAAPO KAKKO
KAAPO KAKKO
KAAPO KAKKO pic.twitter.com/CREZxOhxMY

— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) January 11, 2025

Kakko also averaged 0.6 points in 49 games with the Kraken after averaging 0.4 with the Rangers in 330 games over six-plus seasons. The Rangers received plenty of criticism over Kakko’s lack of development during his time on Broadway, though it’s not exactly like he thrived when given a chance to play up in the lineup with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. Kakko’s tenure in New York, however, was spent largely on the third line with minimal power-play opportunities.

Seattle wasted little time in finding out what it had, placing Kakko on a top-six line with Matty Berniers and Jaden Schwartz and giving him significant power-play time. The result? Ten goals and 20 assists in 49 games, including three power-play goals – a career high.

Kakko still doesn’t shoot the puck enough – he didn’t have more than two shots on goal in any of his final 16 games last season – which is a problem that dates to his Rangers tenure and might prevent him from ever becoming a top offensive player in the NHL. Yet that problem remains correctable.

Again, it was clear that Kakko’s time with the Blueshirts was up. He had grown frustrated with the organization and publicly complained that he was being scapegoated after being scratched from a game Dec. 17 amid an ugly stretch for the Rangers. The Rangers traded Kakko the next day, receiving Will Borgen, whose steady, physical play helped stabilize the defense corps, along with third- and sixth-round picks.

Where the Rangers didn’t see a player worth investing in anymore, the Kraken signed Kakko to a three-year, $13.575 million contract this summer.

The danger for the Rangers is that the light goes on for a player who was regarded as a near-equal prospect to eventual No. 1 pick and current New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes going into the 2019 draft. The Rangers signed Borgen a five-year, $20.5 million contract extension last season, but he’ll be a footnote if Kakko breaks out in the Pacific Northwest.

Related: Why Rangers could turn to Urho Vaakanainen as under radar lineup regular

Vitali Kravtsov’s unexpected NHL return with Canucks followed his best KHL season​

Bob Frid-Imagn Images

While Kakko has actually shown that he can produce some in the NHL, Kravtsov is a much bigger wild card. Like Andersson in 2017, the Rangers’ selection of Kravtsov at ninth overall in 2018 failed miserably. The talented forward from Russia proved to be a sullen enigma, who appeared immature and mentally and emotionally unprepared to succeed in North America.

His decision to leave the Rangers and play in the KHL instead of accept an assignment to Hartford of the American Hockey League never sat well with the organization. Kravtsov played just 48 games over two seasons with the Rangers before they traded him to the Canucks on Feb. 25, 2023, for the underwhelming return of undersized forward Will Lockwood and a seventh-round pick.

He played 16 games with the Canucks and headed back to Russia to play the past two seasons. It appeared his NHL career was over after 64 games, six goals and 12 points.

Crafty KHL goal Vitaly Kravtsov scored two years ago. #Canucks pic.twitter.com/EdNgUPxwHi

— Grady Sas (@GradySas) February 25, 2023

So why should the Rangers worry about a player who inked a one-year, two-way contract for $775,000? For the same reason why Kakko could burn the club that drafted him: raw talent. With a powerful shot, outstanding hands and strong skating, there was a reason why the Rangers grabbed Kravtsov where they did in 2018. He’s coming off his best season in the KHL, with career highs of 27 goals and 31 assists in 66 games for Traktor in 2024-25.

The KHL isn’t the NHL, of course, but it’s also possible that Kravtsov has grown up, having seen how his shot at playing in the best hockey league in the world was slipping away.

The 25-year-old appears considerably less likely to make the Rangers regret dealing him away, but if he does develop into an effective player, they’ll essentially have nothing to show for it. But GM Chris Drury can’t be blamed for offloading the troublesome winger for pennies on the dollar. There was little to no market for Kravtsov at that time.

The reasons that led to the Rangers trading Kakko and Kravtsov were legitimate, and could end up being barriers to both players becoming highly-productive NHL forwards with any team. Kakko has yet to show the high-end scoring touch that he exhibited in Finland’s Liiga in 2018-19, his 18 goals in 2022-23 remain an NHL career high. And Kravtsov’s played one full NHL season to date.

Untapped ability, though, remains for both 20-somethings. Either player ascending to above-average status in 2025-26 will add fuel to longstanding perceptions that the Rangers struggle to develop young players (non-goaltenders, that is) into roster mainstays. That will be especially so if Lafreniere again struggles to completely break out in his sixth NHL season.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...s-remorse-kaapo-kakko-vitali-kravtsov-trades/

 

[New York Rangers]

NHL offseason grades for Rangers, Metropolitan Division rivals

Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesBrad Penner-Imagn Images

Barring an unexpected trade in the coming weeks, rosters are by and large set for the New York Rangers and their rivals in the Metropolitan Division ahead of training camp.

The division will have three new coaches and one new general manager in 2025-26. And there were some major personnel additions and other under-the-radar ones made this offseason, too.

So, let’s break down what each team accomplished since last season ended and hand out offseason grades for all eight Metro franchises.

Related: How Rangers could best help Gabe Perreault be Calder Trophy candidate as NHL rookie of year

NHL offseason grades for Rangers, Metropolitan Division rivals​

Peter Carr/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

New York Rangers: B​

In: Mike Sullivan (coach); Vladislav Gavrikov: Scott Morrow; Taylor Raddysh; Justin Dowling

Out: Peter Laviolette (coach); Chris Kreider; K’Andre Miller; Calvin de Haan

It was by-and-large a quietly effective offseason for the Rangers, even if they did make a few substantial changes. Chief among those was firing Laviolette as coach after one of the most disappointing and dysfunctional seasons in franchise history. He was replaced by two-time Stanley Cup winner, and former Rangers assistant, Mike Sullivan — a hire general manager Chris Drury’s been trying to make since the summer of 2021.

Speaking of Drury, he learned from past mistakes and worked in conjunction with Kreider’s camp before trading the longest-tenured Rangers player to the Anaheim Ducks. That was a significant move because it freed up $6.5 million salary-cap space this season (and next). With that extra flexibility, the Rangers landed Gavrikov, their top free-agent target, to be a shutdown defenseman, likely alongside Adam Fox on the top pair.

The Rangers also decided Miller was too much of risk to invest in as a long-term core member of the roster. So, they freed up more cap space in a sign-and-trade with the Carolina Hurricanes. As part of that deal, they Rangers acquired Morrow, an intriguing 22-year-old puck-moving defenseman. Raddysh was signed to be an affordable third-line option on the wing.

Drury and Co. quickly and efficiently re-signed each of New York’s pending restricted free agents (outside of Miller). Chief among them was Will Cuylle, who agreed to a two-year, $7.8 million bridge deal before another team could entice the 20-goal scorer with an offer sheet.

Carolina Hurricanes: B​

In: Nikolaj Ehlers, K’Andre Miller, Mike Reilly

Out: Dmitry Orlov, Jack Roslovic, Scott Morrow

Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

The Hurricanes signed one of the top free-agent forwards available in Ehlers, who’s a perfect fit for their up-tempo play style. The sign-and-trade with Miller seems to be more risky. It cost them $60 million over eight seasons, a lot of coin for a player who underachieved and proved to be inconsistent over five seasons with the Rangers. However, the Hurricanes — and many NHL experts — believe Miller will blossom on their blue line.

Carolina was proactive in signing young emerging forward Jackson Blake to a long-term contract extension and re-upped with free-agent forward Eric Robinson, a key part of their bottom six.

Orlov and Morrow were replaceable on Carolina’s deep defense corps. And Roslovic won’t be sorely missed, even though he did score 22 goals last season. Nothing they did this offseason takes away from the Hurricanes remaining one of the teams to beat in the Metropolitan Division in 2025-26.

New Jersey Devils: C+​

In: Connor Brown; Evgenii Dadonov; Juho Lammiko

Out: Erik Haula; Nathan Bastian; Brian Dumoulin; Daniel Sprong; Justin Dowling

Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald worked around the edges this offseason, trying to bolster an already solid team seeking to take the next step as a Stanley Cup contender. Signing Brown to a four-year, $12 million contract not only solidifies the third line and PK unit, it adds a player coming off two consecutive runs to the Stanley Cup Final with the Edmonton Oilers. Dadonov brings depth scoring and experience of some deep playoff runs, as well.

Perhaps, most importantly, the Devils re-signed backup goalie Jake Allen to a five-year contract, though only a $1.8 million cap hit. The 35-year-old played a crucial role last season keeping things afloat for the Devils when No. 1 Jakob Markstrom missed time due to injury.

New Jersey was criticized for not making a bigger move this offseason, but the Devils biggest additions in 2025-26 will be if Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton can remain healthy for the entire campaign.

New York Islanders: A-​

In: Mathieu Darche (GM); Matthew Schaefer; Jonathan Drouin; Maxim Shabanov; Emil Heineman; David Rittich

Out: Lou Lamoriello (GM); Noah Dobson; Matt Martin; Mike Reilly

This was a massive, franchise-altering offseason for the Islanders. They removed Lamoriello as the head of hockey operations and brought in Darche to replace the Hockey of Hall of Famer. Immediately, it felt as if a breath of fresh air blew through the entire organization.

It didn’t hurt that the Islanders won the NHL Draft Lottery and selected consensus No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer. But that wasn’t enough for Darche. He traded Dobson, a pending RFA due a huge raise, to the Montreal Canadiens and brought back two more first-round picks in the 2025 draft. So, the Islanders had three of the top 17 picks this year, adding forward Victor Eklund (No. 16 overall) and defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson (No. 17 overall) after Schaefer.

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Of course, trading Dobson, who was their top defenseman, comes with risk. But the Islanders did lock up pending free agent defenseman Alexander Romanov with a long-term contract, and signed Schaefer to his entry-level deal. They also re-upped three important players: forwards Kyle Palmieri and Simon Holmstrom and former Rangers defenseman Tony DeAngelo.

Heineman, a forward, came over in the Dobson trade, too. And the Islanders beat out several teams to sign Shabanov, a free agent who’s coming off an excellent season in the KHL. Rittich is a solid veteran add if Semyon Varlamov is not fully healthy and ready to back up No 1 goalie Ilya Sorokin.

They still may not be a playoff team in 2025-26, but it sure feels like the Islanders are turning the corner and headed in a positive direction.

Philadelphia Flyers: B+​

In: Rick Tocchet (coach); Trevor Zegras; Christian Dvorak; Dan Vladar; Dennis Gilbert

Out: Ryan Poehling; Jakob Pelletier

Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Like the Rangers, perhaps the most important move the Flyers made this offseason was behind the bench. They hired Tocchet after he turned down a contract extension to remain coach of the Vancouver Canucks. This feels like his dream job. He’s a former rugged Flyers forward, so he understands and embraces the history and fan base in Philly. Plus, he won the Jack Adams Award as top NHL coach with the Canucks in 2023-24.

The Flyers also made two important additions to their forward group. They acquired Zegras in a trade with the Ducks, counting on him finding his game closer to home on the East Coast. If they hit on this one, the Flyers become a dangerous team, with plenty of good, young offensive talent.

Dvorak is a terrific two-way center, who’s excellent on face-offs. He’ll play in the middle six and was a savvy signing by the Flyers. Philly is much deeper down the middle after adding Zegras and Dvorak.

The Flyers didn’t ignore the defensive side of the puck, though. They re-signed Cam York, an emerging star defenseman, to a five-year contract; and the Flyers also inked Vladar to provide some stability between the pipes with Samuel Ersson, a spot where they really struggled last season.

Pittsburgh Penguins: D+​

In: Dan Muse (coach); Matt Dumba; Connor Clifton; Justin Brazeau; Arturs Silovs; Parker Wotherspoon; Caleb Jones; Alexander Alexeyev

Out: Mike Sullivan (coach); Matt Grzelcyk; Matt Nieto; P.O. Joseph

Here’s another team that made a coaching change. The Penguins parted ways with Sullivan after 10 seasons and hired former Rangers assistant Dan Muse to replace him. That feels like GM Kyle Dubas sending a message that the Penguins are shifting into a retool or rebuild, even with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Erik Karlsson still on the roster.

There are plenty of complaints that the Penguins failed to offload Karlsson and his $11.5 million cap hit each of the next two seasons. But, really, what team is taking on that kind of financial commitment for a diminishing star? Not to mention that Karlsson has a complete no-move clause.

But the Penguins face mounting criticism for not making more sweeping changes this offseason, somehow, someway. Instead, it’s largely the same cast that’s failed to make the playoffs three years in a row. Perhaps the defense will be deeper and better this coming season with the additions of Dumba, Clifton and Wotherspoon — and tougher with Wotherspoon and Brazeau, two rugged former Boston Bruins teammates.

Pittsburgh’s goaltending was brutal last season, so Silovs was acquired from the Canucks to push No. 1 Tristan Jarry and provide more ample support at the position.

Washington Capitals: C​

In: Declan Chisholm

Out: Lars Eller; Taylor Raddysh

The Capitals were super aggressive last offseason and it paid off with a first-place finish in the Metropolitan Division. This was a much quieter summer for the Capitals, whose two most important moves were re-signing defenseman Martin Fehervary and forward Anthony Beauvillier.

Washington is counting on continued success from a solid nucleus, which should be buoyed by youngsters Ryan Leonard and Ivan Miroschnichenko making their impact this coming season. Time will tell if they should’ve done a bit more tinkering this offseason, though.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/nhl-offseason-grades-metropolitan-division/

 

[New York Rangers]

2 key Rangers prospects must overcome same issue to thrive in NHL, per report

Danny Wild-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Gabe Perreault and Brennan Othmann are two of the New York Rangers’ top prospects, with expectations for each to play in the NHL this coming season. However, each forward must overcome the same issue in order to be a successful player at the highest level in the world.

In his annual breakdown of each team’s best prospects, Corey Pronman of The Athletic noted that Perreault and Othmann each have below NHL average skating ability. More specifically, foot speed is an issue for each player.

Despite that significant red flag, Pronman projects Perreault and Othmann to be middle-six forwards in the NHL. The respected NHL Draft and prospect expert ranked Othmann as New York’s No. 2 prospect, with Perreault landing at No. 4. Pronman listed forward Malcolm Spence as the Rangers top prospect, and defenseman E.J. Emery ranked third.

Overall, Pronman projects seven current Rangers prospects to reach the NHL at some point in their careers. Centers Carey Terrance and Noah Laba (Nos. 5 and 6) and defenseman Scott Morrow (No. 7) followed the top four.

The Rangers were 24th out of 32 NHL teams in The Athletic’s 2025 Pipeline Rankings of prospects age 22 or younger. Their overall grade was a C+. Last year, the Rangers ranked 15th.

Related: NHL offseason grades for Rangers, Metropolitan Division rivals

‘Lack of foot speed’ issue for Rangers prospects Brennan Othmann, Gabe Perreault​

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Now, let’s not overreact. Pronman has high praise for both Othmann and Perreault, first-round picks by the Rangers in 2021 and 2023, respectively. For example, he rated each forward as above NHL average in both puck skills and compete level. Othmann’s shot is also considered above NHL average, as is Perreault’s hockey sense.

And it’s not the first time that Othmann and/or Perreault’s skating ability is questioned.

Let’s start with Othmann. Pronman pointed out that the 22-year-old, who’s yet to score a goal in 25 games with the Rangers, “struggles at times with the NHL pace.”

“His skating isn’t the best, and if he were to miss, it would be due to a lack of speed in his game.”

Othmann scored 50 goals in 66 OHL games with Flint in 2021-22. He had 21 goals as a rookie pro with Hartford of the American Hockey League in 2023-24. But he’s managed just two assists so far in the NHL, largely playing a bottom-six role.

"Oh, you gotta love that!"

Brennan Othmann buries this one on the breakaway! pic.twitter.com/Kmj82N4prn

— NHL (@NHL) September 27, 2024

Pronman likes most of what he sees from the 6-foot-1, 192-pound forward.

“He has great hands and offensive sense, and a shot that can finish chances from a distance,” Pronman noted. “He plays quite hard, too. He’s a physical and competitive forward who can frustrate opponents.”

That skill set would play up and down the Rangers lineup on any of their top three lines, as long as his lack of foot speed doesn’t hold Othmann back.

Pronman was full of compliments for Perreault, too, especially coming off his successful two seasons at Boston College, where he totaled 108 points (35 goals, 73 assists) in 73 games.

“He’s an extremely skilled and intelligent winger,” Pronman explained. “He makes highly creative and unique dekes and passes with the puck at a high rate, both off the perimeter and in small areas. His puck game is clear NHL power-play quality, and he will score as a pro.”

The 20-year-old was pointless in five games with the Rangers after he signed his entry-level contract last spring. Perreault didn’t look out of place in the top six, averaging more than 14 minutes TOI. But he managed just five shots on goal, three of which came in his NHL debut against the Minnesota Wild on April 2.

Is he ready for a full NHL season or will Perreault require time in the minors with Hartford? And how concerned is Pronman about Perreault’s long-term NHL future?

“The issues with Perreault’s game are his 5-foot-11 frame (180 pounds) and lack of foot speed. He’s a competitive player, though, who gets to the inside even though he’s not highly physical.”

Lack of foot speed certainly hasn’t held Perreault back at any level of hockey yet, in part, because of tremendous vision and high hockey IQ. But this is the NHL we are talking about now. So, let’s keep Pronman’s critique in mind when training camp begins in a few weeks.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...brennan-othmann-overcome-lack-foot-speed-nhl/

 

[New York Rangers]

Real debate about Artemi Panarin future with Rangers is already underway

Dennis Schneidler-Imagn ImagesDennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

When the New York Rangers signed Artemi Panarin to that massive seven-year, $81.5 million contract back on July 1, 2019, it felt like a turning point for the franchise. One of the League’s premier talents chose Broadway, and sped up the Rangers rebuild, even if the Stanley Cup Playoffs were still a couple years away.

Panarin’s delivered on that huge investment by the Rangers. The Breadman has 550 points (186 goals, 364 assists) in 430 games since signing that deal. Panarin led the Rangers in scoring six straight seasons, including two years ago when he totaled 120 points, second most in franchise history. His 1.28 points-per-game average is tops in Rangers history.

And despite a tremendously disappointing 2024-25 season, the Rangers reached the postseason three straight years before that, including trips to the Eastern Conference Final in 2022 and 2024.

Soon, the Rangers will face another turning point moment. And it will again involve Panarin.

His contract expires after this upcoming season and Panarin can become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The Rangers haven’t extended Panarin, and the debate is sure to build. Should the Rangers re-up with the most prolific scorer in their history or will it be time to move on?

Related: Former Rangers enforcer recalls late-night vodka shots and basketball with Artemi Panarin

The case for Rangers keeping Artemi Panarin​

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

He’s still elite — end of debate​

Let’s not overthink this. Panarin is still one of the most dangerous offensive players in the NHL. His vision, passing, and ability to make something out of nothing? Unreal. He’s the one Rangers forward who can take over a game in an instant. You don’t just replace that with “next man up.” Yes, he will be 34 next summer. But 34 is not 37. Panarin’s got a lot left in the tank as an elite NHL point producer.

Rangers window as contender remains open​

This isn’t 2019 anymore. The Rangers are not building for the future. With Igor Shesterkin in net, Adam Fox anchoring the blue line, and veterans like Mika Zibanejad, J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck still more than capable of producing, this team is right there as a contender. Moving on from Panarin could slam that window shut faster than a subway door. He and Trocheck form one hell of a second line, likely with Alexis Lafreniere on the right side. His presence makes New York’s top six feel special.

Artemi Panarin is quiet Rangers leader​

Panarin isn’t a rah-rah, in-your-face leader, but watch him on the bench. Watch how younger players like Lafrenière gravitate toward him. Panarin’s a veteran presence with 10 years of NHL experience. He’s respected by his teammates and coaches, not to mention opponents. So, it’s another reason to keep him, as long as he keeps producing.

Artemi Panarin is good for business​

Listen, Panarin sells jerseys. He fills seats. He’s a superstar in New York City — a hockey market that thrives on star power. The Rangers are a business as much as a hockey team, and losing a player like Panarin isn’t just about on-ice production — it’s about brand impact.

Related: NHL offseason grades for Rangers, Metropolitan Division rivals

The case against Rangers keeping Artemi Panarin​

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The Connor McDavid factor​

It’s unlikely that Connor McDavid reaches unrestricted free agency July 1. But if he does? The Rangers need to be all-in on the superstar center. Whatever it takes to sign McDavid. And, yes, that means saying goodbye to the Breadman.

Father time​

Panarin will be 34 when this deal ends. Yes, he’s great now, but Father Time is undefeated. How many guys keep elite speed and hands into their mid-30s? Do you really want to be stuck paying $10 million to a player who might be a 60-point winger in a few years? The team friendly two-year, $14 million deal would work great here but the open market for him likely calls for a $10 million+ AAV. How much of a discount would Panarin take to stay in New York? Or will the Rangers pay the going rate, just on a shorter-term (three years?) deal?

Full no-move clause = zero flexibility​

Panarin’s current contract has a full no-move clause, which makes him pretty much untouchable if the Rangers want to trade him before the 2026 deadline. He’ll expect another no-move clause if he re-ups with the Rangers? But what if the team needs to retool in two years? They’re stuck. Rangers GM Chris Drury hands out extensions and NTC contracts like candy but does he draw a hard line here with Panarin?

Could sell high on Artemi Panarin​

This is the part no one likes to admit: if the Rangers decide Panarin’s not part of the long-term picture, trading him before the 2026 deadline could bring in a haul. Prospects, picks, maybe even a young NHL-ready piece. Letting him walk for nothing? That’s a disaster scenario. But would he waive his NTC ahead of the deadline, say, to go to the Minnesota Wild and reunite with his close friend Kirill “The Thrill” Kaprizov? Or if the Rangers aren’t in the playoff picture, would Panarin accept a trade to a legit Stanley Cup contender? Panarin has 100 percent of the power here and this could bite the Rangers before all is said and done. And that’s without mentioning if he stays through another playoff run with the Rangers, under-performs yet again, and then walks as a free agent.

Elephant in room​

Here’s another thing that gets glossed over when considering Panarin’s future in New York. Late last season it was revealed that Panarin and MSG Sports reached financial settlements with a former Rangers employee after a sexual assault allegation against the star forward. Even though the Rangers did their best to protect Panarin and move on, this isn’t a good look. Handing him another $11-12 million a year probably isn’t a good look either.

Rangers best plan with Artemi Panarin​

This is tough, but here’s what the Rangers should do: run it back with Panarin through the 2025-26 season– then reassess. Yes, that’s the case even if they might lose him for nothing next summer.

The Rangers championship window is now. You don’t get many cracks at it, and Panarin is still an elite weapon. But unless he’s willing to take a short-term, lower-money extension after this deal? It might be time to thank Panarin for an incredible run and move forward with a younger core.

For now, though, let’s ride with Panarin.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/debate-artemi-panarin-future-contract/

 

[New York Rangers]

Former Rangers center healthy again ‘knock on wood,’ ready for big role with Canucks

Bob Frid-Imagn ImagesBob Frid-Imagn Images

Filip Chytil’s been down this road before, first with the New York Rangers and now with the Vancouver Canucks.

It’s the road to recovery after sustaining a head-related injury.

So, when discussing his current health status recently after his 2024-25 season was cut short by a concussion, Chytil wasn’t shy about using a well-worn cliche.

“Knock on wood, I feel very good and feel very positive,” Chytil told the 100% Canucks Podcast.

Forgive the soon-to-be 26-year-old if he’s a bit cautious and superstitious when it comes to his health. Not even a change of scenery to the Pacific Northwest changed his luck for the better after the Rangers traded Chytil to the Canucks in late January.

It took just six weeks before Chytil was injured again. Chicago Blackhawks forward Jason Dickinson checked him from behind, causing Chytil’s head to whiplash as he fell to the ice. Chytil missed the final 16 games of the season with an injury he explained was “more about my neck” than a concussion, per se.

Filip Chytil checking in from the Player Media Tour in Milan! pic.twitter.com/OX9ghid8dN

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) August 22, 2025

Five months after sustaining that latest injury, Chytil believes he’s in a good place physically.

“Great, I feel great,” Chytil said. “I said it at the end of the season that i feel I was ready to go offseason. I was very happy that I finished the season with the guys on the ice for a couple of practices.

“Two weeks after I came [back to the Czech Republic] I started to work out and skate. Now, it’s almost four months already where I’m working out and skating.”

Related: NHL offseason grades for Rangers, Metropolitan Division rivals

Filip Chytil reflects on time with Rangers, what lies ahead with Canucks​

Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

As he’s done throughout his eight-year NHL career, Chytil is working out this summer with his brother. His intent is to “get better on the ice and protect me from injuries on the ice.”

Though he didn’t share specifics, Chytil clearly is aiming for his first healthy season since 2022-23, when he set NHL career-highs with 22 goals, 23 assists and 45 points in 74 games with the Rangers. His goal is to land a spot in Vancouver’s top-six forward group, something that escaped him in New York, where he was primarily a third-line pivot.

“In New York, we always had great centermen ahead of me. And even when I finally jumped ahead of one of them and even was on top line … the injury came again. I always fell back to the third center position,” Chytil explained.

Filip chytil sign of life, our 2c getting stronger #Canucks pic.twitter.com/0uG1nSkdPO

— Foote's schnozz (@Canucks_Enjoyer) July 22, 2025

Never was that more true than in 2023-24, when Chytil began the season centering a line with Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere. That lasted 10 games before he sustained a serious head injury in early November, and later had a relapse in his recovery. Chytil missed the rest of the regular season — 72 games — before he appeared in six postseason games that spring.

“Even (that) season when I missed the whole year, I started as a second center, I played a lot, and then the biggest injury of my career,” he said.

Chytil’s going to get a chance to play a bigger role with the Canucks this upcoming season. Elias Pettersson remains the Canucks No. 1 center, but Chytil is the clear No. 2 on the depth chart. In 15 games with the Canucks last season, Chytil averaged a career-high 16:42 TOI. That was two minutes more on average than his 41 games with the Rangers earlier in the season.

Though he scored a goal in Canucks debut on Feb. 2 against the Detroit Red Wings, Chytil managed just six points (two goals, four assists) in 15 games before the injury ended his season prematurely.

Chytil, who got married this summer, is confident that he will produce offensively for the Canucks this season. That is, of course, if he remains healthy.

“Everything depends on my health right now,” Chytil stated candidly. “I know what I can do and I will do everything to help make our team make the playoffs again, and make it a successful season for us.

“But I need to focus on my health, as well.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...p-chytil-healthy-knock-on-wood-ready-canucks/

 

[New York Rangers]

Why Rangers should pay close attention to Connor McDavid contract messaging: ‘all options on table’

Perry Nelson-Imagn ImagesPerry Nelson-Imagn Images

Even though Connor McDavid can become an unrestricted free agent 10 months from now, it’s extremely difficult to believe the greatest player in the sport will reach the open market. But that shouldn’t stop the New York Rangers from keeping close tabs on the situation.

That’s especially so when the Edmonton Oilers captain speaks publicly about his next contract, as he did Wednesday at Canada’s national team press conference.

“All options are on the table, really,” McDavid said, when asked if he’d prefer to have his contract settled before the 2025-26 season begins.

“We’re going through it. I don’t have a preference either way. I want to the group to be as focused and dialed in and ready to roll from Day 1 as much as possible and we don’t need any distractions. I’m going to take my time with it and that’s it.”

Connor McDavid delivered a masterclass Wednesday on how to deal with an extremely relevant/tricky question.

Never believe an athlete who tells you dealing with the media is hard. Just takes a little common sense. pic.twitter.com/FFfevWAArT

— Sid Seixeiro (@Sid_Seixeiro) August 28, 2025

If you’re the Rangers, you don’t want to read too much into that statement. But it certainly leaves the door ajar for the possibility that this could be McDavid’s final season with the Oilers.

Of course, McDavid also reiterated that he has “every intention to win in Edmonton.”

But does that mean he’s going to do everything in his power to win a Stanley Cup with the Oilers this season, but is also open to moving on when his current contract is up?

There’s plenty of room for interpretation with everything McDavid says — or doesn’t say — on the matter. He does remain very clear on one thing, though.

“Like I said at the end of June, I had every intention just to take my time with it, and I still feel the same way,” he said. “Take my time and go through everything.”

That and his burning desire to win a championship are clear. Where he believes his best chance to win the Stanley Cup is unclear. As is what the Oilers need to prove to McDavid that pushes him to sign long-term with them.

Related: Real debate about Artemi Panarin future with Rangers is already underway

Rangers keeping eye on Connor McDavid contract situation, possible free agency​

Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

The money is going to be there for McDavid, whether it comes from the Oilers or another team. His approach about where he wishes to spend the next seven or eight years of his career after this season is extremely measured.

The Rangers have no choice but to remain equally as measured about any possibility of signing McDavid next summer. They can’t control whether or not the 28-year-old superstar re-ups in Edmonton or not. Dissecting his every public comment on that matter doesn’t help their cause either.

But if you’re Chris Drury and Co., you certainly must pay close attention. Because if McDavid somehow does get to July 1 unsigned, all other blueprints and plans go out the window. Trying to land this generational talent will be all that matters.

And remember, in this League, New York City is a prime destination. That’s proven time and again with players wanting to play for the Rangers.

But from a hockey and winning standpoint, would the Rangers measure up in McDavid’s eyes? They’re sitting on one Stanley Cup championship in 85 years, none since 1994. They have an aging core, which likely won’t include star wing Artemi Panarin, a pending free agent himself next summer.

Could they really pay McDavid, Panarin, and goalie Igor Shesterkin $37 million or so combined per season?

OK, now we’re getting off track a bit. Speculation gets us nowhere.

Just take McDavid’s words, here in late August, for what they are.

“We’re going through it slowly.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...avid-contract-messaging-all-options-on-table/

 

[New York Rangers]

Why Taylor Raddysh is 3rd-line anchor ahead of 1st season with Rangers

Peter Casey-Imagn ImagesPeter Casey-Imagn Images

The New York Rangers head to training camp next month with plenty of questions and not a lot of answers about the makeup of their third line. Perhaps the closest the Rangers have to a sure thing on that line is newcomer Taylor Raddysh.

The 27-year-old signed a two-year, $3 million contract with the Rangers on July 1. His signing flew under the radar because the Rangers made a far bigger splash in free agency that day, signing defenseman Vladisalv Gavrikov to a seven-year, $49 million deal.

Yet, here we are on the eve of training camp, and Raddysh feels like the anchor of an unsteady third line.

#NYR have agreed to terms with forward Taylor Raddysh on a two-year contract.

Welcome to New York, Taylor! pic.twitter.com/bydFLvMXSE

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) July 2, 2025

That’s especially so because it appears coach Mike Sullivan will start off camp with Mika Zibanejad playing right wing on a line with J.T. Miller in the top six. That creates a hole in the middle of the lineup, since Zibanejad projected to be one of New York’s top three centers.

Sullivan flew to Sweden to meet with Zibanejad and the veteran Rangers forward expressed a desire to remain on a line with Miller, which is a spot where he flourished down the stretch last season. Dan Rosen of NHL.com was first to report this, based on a recent conversation with Sullivan.

Coming off one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history, the Rangers look to rebuild confidence and trust and accountability with their new coach. So, putting Zibanejad in the best spot to succeed is crucial.

But then the Rangers must figure out how to configure the third line. Right now, that begins with Raddysh.

“We’re excited to bring him on board,” general manager Chris Drury said about Raddysh. “He had a good year in Washington last year. He’s had some good offensive production from the third line at some other stops along the way. We like his size (6-foot-3, 216 pounds). He’s a guy that can play both the wings. I think a good, valuable, bottom-six forward and a good value signing for us.”

Related: Why Rangers should pay close attention to Connor McDavid contract messaging: ‘all options on table’

Taylor Raddysh brings stability to Rangers’ third line​

Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Raddysh helped the Washington Capitals finish first in the Eastern Conference last season. Appearing in 80 games, he averaged 12:22 of ice time in a bottom-six role and recorded 27 points — including a career-high 20 assists. Though he struggled to find the back of the net, scoring just seven goals, it’s worth remembering that he tallied 20 goals only three seasons ago with the Chicago Blackhawks.

In recent years, Raddysh has proven himself to be a steady and reliable third-line presence — whether contributing to a playoff-bound team like the Capitals or a rebuilding squad like the Blackhawks. Now entering the prime of his career, he has a strong opportunity to make his mark on a Rangers team looking to add exactly what he offers: work ethic, structure, and consistency.

What makes this signing particularly valuable is how it fits into the Rangers’ lineup plans. Raddysh is expected to play alongside two players who are still trying to establish themselves as everyday NHLers. Add to that his modest $1.5 million salary cap hit over the next two seasons, and it’s easy to see why Drury saw this as a high-value move in free agency.

Taylor Raddysh sneaks a goal past Hellebuyck pic.twitter.com/ACcLXOQ1a3

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 2, 2025

Raddysh’s north-south style should complement whoever earns the third-line center and left wing spots — potentially a rotating cast throughout the season. Regardless of his linemates, management can feel confident that Raddysh’s straightforward game will help simplify the line’s responsibilities and bring structure to the bottom six.

Is this shaping up to be an elite third line? Not as it stands today. But with productive player development and the possibility of a trade deadline upgrade, it could become one. Until then, Raddysh provides a stable anchor in a role he’s steadily grown into — giving this unit a clearer identity.

Goals are great, but it’s Raddysh’s effort and maturity that will provide the biggest boost. He also happens to be the only Rangers forward currently in his prime. Every other forward is either over 30 or under 25 — a factor the team will likely weigh in any future roster moves.

Related: NHL offseason grades for Rangers, Metropolitan Division rivals

Potential linemates for Taylor Raddysh with Rangers​

Third-line center options:​

Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

Juuso Parssinen

Parssinen signed a two-year extension May 2 with a $1.25 million AAV, and the 24-year-old is seen as a high-upside gamble. With no young center options currently NHL-ready, the Rangers are betting on Parssinen to seize the opportunity. He hasn’t yet secured a full-time NHL role — making this his best shot to prove he belongs.

Jonny Brodzinski

A journeyman who’s found stability since joining the Rangers in 2020, Brodzinski scored a career-high 12 goals in 51 games last season. Though much of his success came on the wing, he’s a dependable fallback option if Parssinen struggles as 3C. At 32, his attitude and energy may mesh well with Raddysh until a more permanent solution is found.

Third-line left wing options:​

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Brennan Othmann

Still looking for his first goal 25 games into his NHL career, the former first-round pick is hoping to change that this season — and become a regular contributor. His blend of skill and grit fits the mold of a prototypical identity line. With a sheltered role, there’s less pressure on him to score right away. If he can simply play a noticeable, north-south game, the goals will come. Keep in mind, Othmann scored 50 goals in junior one season and had 21 in the minors as a rookie pro with Hartford in 2023-24.

Brett Berard

The 2020 fifth-round pick has consistently outperformed expectations, because Berard plays far bigger than his 5-foot-9 frame. His strong shot and work ethic could earn him a long look for this role, especially if he outworks his competition during training camp. Berard doesn’t lack for grit or skill, and scored six goals in 35 games with the Rangers last season.

Gabe Perreault

The Rangers top prospect, Perreault signed his entry-level deal after his sophomore year at Boston College ended last spring. Undersized but highly skilled, his future may depend on how quickly he can adapt. He’s not a gritty, two-way winger like Berard or Othmann, but if the line struggles to score, Perreault’s offensive instincts could earn him a shot — especially if he proves he can play with more physical linemates.

Conor Sheary

Brought in on a professional tryout, Sheary is a backup plan if the Rangers feel the prospects need more seasoning in Hartford or limited NHL minutes early on. His best years came with the Pittsburgh Penguins, when Sullivan coached them, and included Stanley Cup championships together in 2016 and 2017. The 33-year-old’s game has declined the past two seasons, when he scored four goals in 62 games (none in five last season) with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/taylor-raddysh-third-line-anchor/